A Mission to Protect: John McCoy’s Path to MSP Ownership
04/24/25 • 28 min
When John McCoy walked away from a high-paying corporate job, he wasn’t chasing freedom—he was answering a calling. In this episode, John shares how his commitment to helping others led him to launch MidSolv, an MSP rooted in community and built on trust. But it wasn’t until he caught a ransomware attack in real time that his purpose fully crystallized: protecting clients from the threats they didn’t see coming.
From mandating a security upgrade for every customer—before they even asked—to shifting his entire client base to fully managed services, John’s story is one of bold leadership, cybersecurity-first thinking, and values-driven growth.
Whether you're an MSP owner rethinking your tech stack or an IT leader navigating risk and resilience, this episode offers a masterclass in leading with conviction—and securing what matters most.
Learn more about Manage My Security.
Join us for a front-row seat to see what’s next at N-able!
The 2025 All Partners Meeting is happening online, June 2 & 3. Hear directly from product leaders, explore the roadmap, and ask questions.
Let us help you unlock your business's full potential.
N-able Business Transformation is Expert led and Peer informed.These valuable executive programs are tailored to provide effective guidance and a faster path to a scalable and successful business.
Book a Call with Chris Massey now to learn what Business Transformation can do for you!
'Now that's it: Stories of MSP Success,' dives into the journeys of some of the trailblazers in our industry to find out how they used their passion for technology to help turn Managed Services into the thriving sector it is today.
Every episode is packed with the valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiring anecdotes that lead our guests to the transformative moment when they knew..... Now, that's it.
This podcast provides educational information about issues that may be relevant to information technology service providers.
Nothing in the podcast should be construed as any recommendation or endorsement by N-able, or as legal or any other advice.
The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
Views and opinions expressed by N-able employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of N-able or its officers and directors.
The podcast may also contain forward-looking statements regarding future product plans, functionality, or development efforts that should not be interpreted as a commitment from N-able related to any deliverables or timeframe.
All content is based on information available at the time of recording, and N-able has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
When John McCoy walked away from a high-paying corporate job, he wasn’t chasing freedom—he was answering a calling. In this episode, John shares how his commitment to helping others led him to launch MidSolv, an MSP rooted in community and built on trust. But it wasn’t until he caught a ransomware attack in real time that his purpose fully crystallized: protecting clients from the threats they didn’t see coming.
From mandating a security upgrade for every customer—before they even asked—to shifting his entire client base to fully managed services, John’s story is one of bold leadership, cybersecurity-first thinking, and values-driven growth.
Whether you're an MSP owner rethinking your tech stack or an IT leader navigating risk and resilience, this episode offers a masterclass in leading with conviction—and securing what matters most.
Learn more about Manage My Security.
Join us for a front-row seat to see what’s next at N-able!
The 2025 All Partners Meeting is happening online, June 2 & 3. Hear directly from product leaders, explore the roadmap, and ask questions.
Let us help you unlock your business's full potential.
N-able Business Transformation is Expert led and Peer informed.These valuable executive programs are tailored to provide effective guidance and a faster path to a scalable and successful business.
Book a Call with Chris Massey now to learn what Business Transformation can do for you!
'Now that's it: Stories of MSP Success,' dives into the journeys of some of the trailblazers in our industry to find out how they used their passion for technology to help turn Managed Services into the thriving sector it is today.
Every episode is packed with the valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiring anecdotes that lead our guests to the transformative moment when they knew..... Now, that's it.
This podcast provides educational information about issues that may be relevant to information technology service providers.
Nothing in the podcast should be construed as any recommendation or endorsement by N-able, or as legal or any other advice.
The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
Views and opinions expressed by N-able employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of N-able or its officers and directors.
The podcast may also contain forward-looking statements regarding future product plans, functionality, or development efforts that should not be interpreted as a commitment from N-able related to any deliverables or timeframe.
All content is based on information available at the time of recording, and N-able has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Previous Episode
From Help Desk to Headliner: How Tim Barton-Wines Earned the MSP Spotlight
What happens when the right product meets the right moment—and the right voice? In this episode of Now That’s IT: Stories of MSP Success, we sit down with Tim Barton-Wines, the dynamic force behind Halo PSA’s meteoric rise.
Tim shares his unexpected journey from selling vodka in a wine shop to transforming Halo from a little-known help desk tool into one of the fastest-growing PSA platforms in the MSP space. You’ll hear how Halo earned trust without private equity, how a £10 Reddit campaign helped build a global footprint, and why saying “no” to acquisition has become their boldest strategic move.
Whether you’re an MSP owner looking for the next great tool—or a leader thinking long-term about brand, culture, and independence—this episode is packed with insight on building momentum the right way.
🎧 This one’s for the builders. The believers. And the ones playing the long game.
Join us for a front-row seat to see what’s next at N-able!
The 2025 All Partners Meeting is happening online, June 2 & 3. Hear directly from product leaders, explore the roadmap, and ask questions.
Let us help you unlock your business's full potential.
N-able Business Transformation is Expert led and Peer informed.These valuable executive programs are tailored to provide effective guidance and a faster path to a scalable and successful business.
Book a Call with Chris Massey now to learn what Business Transformation can do for you!
'Now that's it: Stories of MSP Success,' dives into the journeys of some of the trailblazers in our industry to find out how they used their passion for technology to help turn Managed Services into the thriving sector it is today.
Every episode is packed with the valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiring anecdotes that lead our guests to the transformative moment when they knew..... Now, that's it.
This podcast provides educational information about issues that may be relevant to information technology service providers.
Nothing in the podcast should be construed as any recommendation or endorsement by N-able, or as legal or any other advice.
The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
Views and opinions expressed by N-able employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of N-able or its officers and directors.
The podcast may also contain forward-looking statements regarding future product plans, functionality, or development efforts that should not be interpreted as a commitment from N-able related to any deliverables or timeframe.
All content is based on information available at the time of recording, and N-able has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Next Episode
Built on Trust: Kevin Stock on Leading a Family-Run MSP That Lasts
What happens when your business partners are also your brothers? For Kevin Stock, CEO of RCR Technology Group, it meant building a managed service provider grounded in trust, clear roles, and shared values. In this episode, Kevin shares how a side hustle fixing computers became a full-scale MSP—powered by family dynamics, small-town reputation, and a relentless focus on doing right by clients.
He opens up about the challenges of transitioning from break/fix to managed services, giving up control as a founder, and leading through tough seasons—including a rocky start to what ultimately became their best year ever. From walking quotes live with prospects to letting go so his brothers could step up, Kevin’s story is a blueprint in resilience and relationship-driven growth.
Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a service business, or navigating the complexities of working with family, this episode is full of lessons that last.
Join us for a front-row seat to see what’s next at N-able!
The 2025 All Partners Meeting is happening online, June 2 & 3. Hear directly from product leaders, explore the roadmap, and ask questions.
Let us help you unlock your business's full potential.
N-able Business Transformation is Expert led and Peer informed.These valuable executive programs are tailored to provide effective guidance and a faster path to a scalable and successful business.
Book a Call with Chris Massey now to learn what Business Transformation can do for you!
'Now that's it: Stories of MSP Success,' dives into the journeys of some of the trailblazers in our industry to find out how they used their passion for technology to help turn Managed Services into the thriving sector it is today.
Every episode is packed with the valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiring anecdotes that lead our guests to the transformative moment when they knew..... Now, that's it.
This podcast provides educational information about issues that may be relevant to information technology service providers.
Nothing in the podcast should be construed as any recommendation or endorsement by N-able, or as legal or any other advice.
The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
Views and opinions expressed by N-able employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of N-able or its officers and directors.
The podcast may also contain forward-looking statements regarding future product plans, functionality, or development efforts that should not be interpreted as a commitment from N-able related to any deliverables or timeframe.
All content is based on information available at the time of recording, and N-able has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Now That's IT: Stories of MSP Success - A Mission to Protect: John McCoy’s Path to MSP Ownership
Transcript
One , two , three , four . I either had to sacrifice my family or sacrifice this big check and paycheck . And I just said
Speaker 1I really can't do that . Called my company I was on contract to them called my account manager and he said well , if you don't take this opportunity , we'll consider that a voluntary termination . So
SpeakerIf you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/now-thats-it-stories-of-msp-success-316081/a-mission-to-protect-john-mccoys-path-to-msp-ownership-89973359"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to a mission to protect: john mccoy’s path to msp ownership on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy