Hi! I actually abandoned my MSP plans shortly after this video and decided to start a SaaS/server hosting business for MSPs instead: hostifi.net. Since last year I have now grown that to over 200 monthly customers and was fired from my job at an MSP for running it as a side business in my free time. Now I work fulltime on HostiFi. I also started a VPN service ghostifi.net a few months ago with 25 monthly customers now. For updates on those, follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/_rchase_ and I also post updates on rchase.com!
My comment is a bit late, curious to know how it's going? Your journey is interesting because you're building an MSP business and I am building an RMM/EUM product business. My business relies on MSPs relying on the tool my business is building, hopefully.
Hey, just subscribed, I'm transitioning from break/fix to MSP with a focus on residential customers. What did you end setting as your pricing for your clients?
While working at a Gym I took a risk and transitioned into MSP (copier) sales. I learned very quickly it's no different than the Gym. Egos, nepotism, and lies. And, the commissions are bad for repeat business. Sales is churn and burn. After months of the abuse, I decided I'm fully capable of reskilling and selling my own services. Thank you for giving me hope and confidence, and a clearer view of what I'm about to embark on.
This is a terrific video! It's hard to find an original video idea nowadays! I haven't seen anything close to the level of explanation that you've given. I just started about 18 months ago as a sole proprietorship (another words I am just Doing Business As....) and wish I saw this video then!!! I've been offering local networking, breakfix..etc...but doing a bit of a hybrid MSP model with more of a local in office touch with "onsite support hours allotment per month" and unlimited remote support for issues under 60-90 minutes (it's difficult to keep track of times :-/ ) I was thinking about switching some stuff up including RMM.... Using atera now. I'm not a fan of webroot and want better cloud managed antivirus...any suggestions?
1 year later - February 2019 Update: I actually abandoned my MSP plans (locklinnetworks.com) shortly after this video and decided to start a SaaS/server hosting business for MSPs instead: hostifi.net. Since last year I have now built that up to over 200 monthly customers and was fired from my job at a big MSP (sentinel.com) for running it as a side business in my free time. Now I work fulltime on HostiFi. I also started a VPN service ghostifi.net a few months ago with 25 monthly customers now. For updates on those, follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/_rchase_ and I also post updates on rchase.com!
I did not plan for rent, utilities, or insurance. I planned to start this MSP out of my apartment and grow from there. Insurance would be nice, but an office is definitely not a requirement for a new MSP. You can meet customers at their office or be 100% remote.
@@ReillyChase Correct, you can work from home, but that is still a cost. Unless you have another job paying your Bill's. But, to think ahead, it should be included.
Hi Gerald! I changed plans right before I was going to really build up my MSP and I became a SaaS provider for MSPs. I launched hostifi.net, a UniFi controller hosting service, instead and it gained traction so I put all my effort into that instead of my MSP locklinnetworks.com. Toward the end of 2018 I launched my second SaaS, ghostifi.net, a VPN service. Last week I was fired from my job as a Security Analyst because they felt my businesses were a conflict of interest, so I am now going fulltime on them.
You will find it diffuclt to apply your offering to most customers. Most customers don't like change and a lot of them still would not want to change their current services (on premise exchange, phones, DNS and Website hosts). You will find that your offerings will have to adapt to clients current environment. During your support would have to provide evidence why they should change (Ease of use, Cost savings, Up time, Cost of maintenance) and then offer these solutions. You are really narrowing your market if you only want to support these services.
Honestly this is a joke. An MSP typically has 100's or more services they provide clients. Endpoint management or support, email, website hosting - that's doesn't even scratch the surface of what an MSP does. Don't forget business insurance which can run you as much as 3 to 5k per month. You're not an MSP, you're someone who can use screen connect. They are not the same. Love your enthusiasm, but God damn, this is exactly why this industry is so tough when anyone that has mouse thinks they can do it.
This is a great video, especially for people getting started or testing the waters. Keep it up. You’ve got a new subscriber.
Thanks for videos like this, starting my journey now
Man this is really good. Stuff!! Keep. Us posted definitely rooting for you along the way
Hi! I actually abandoned my MSP plans shortly after this video and decided to start a SaaS/server hosting business for MSPs instead: hostifi.net. Since last year I have now grown that to over 200 monthly customers and was fired from my job at an MSP for running it as a side business in my free time. Now I work fulltime on HostiFi. I also started a VPN service ghostifi.net a few months ago with 25 monthly customers now. For updates on those, follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/_rchase_ and I also post updates on rchase.com!
@@mspjourney5570 amazing!
This is great, i'm looking to start my own MSP. Albeit I cannot afford those costs, I still can utilize a lot of the AWS tech...
My comment is a bit late, curious to know how it's going? Your journey is interesting because you're building an MSP business and I am building an RMM/EUM product business. My business relies on MSPs relying on the tool my business is building, hopefully.
Good info. Thank you!
Love this vid!!!
Just starting looking into moving my break-fix business to MSP. I like your plan.
Have you any experience with fiber. Data/phone lines?
Hey, just subscribed, I'm transitioning from break/fix to MSP with a focus on residential customers.
What did you end setting as your pricing for your clients?
While working at a Gym I took a risk and transitioned into MSP (copier) sales. I learned very quickly it's no different than the Gym. Egos, nepotism, and lies. And, the commissions are bad for repeat business. Sales is churn and burn. After months of the abuse, I decided I'm fully capable of reskilling and selling my own services. Thank you for giving me hope and confidence, and a clearer view of what I'm about to embark on.
Awesome! Good luck to you
Please do an update re what you're using in 2021 for RMM, hosting etc
He created hostifi.com and he's not an MSP in the end
You haven’t post an update for a long time
I am interested to know more
Interesting content
This is a terrific video! It's hard to find an original video idea nowadays! I haven't seen anything close to the level of explanation that you've given.
I just started about 18 months ago as a sole proprietorship (another words I am just Doing Business As....) and wish I saw this video then!!! I've been offering local networking, breakfix..etc...but doing a bit of a hybrid MSP model with more of a local in office touch with "onsite support hours allotment per month" and unlimited remote support for issues under 60-90 minutes (it's difficult to keep track of times :-/ )
I was thinking about switching some stuff up including RMM.... Using atera now. I'm not a fan of webroot and want better cloud managed antivirus...any suggestions?
Jeff Knowles ESET
1 year later - February 2019 Update: I actually abandoned my MSP plans (locklinnetworks.com) shortly after this video and decided to start a SaaS/server hosting business for MSPs instead: hostifi.net. Since last year I have now built that up to over 200 monthly customers and was fired from my job at a big MSP (sentinel.com) for running it as a side business in my free time. Now I work fulltime on HostiFi. I also started a VPN service ghostifi.net a few months ago with 25 monthly customers now. For updates on those, follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/_rchase_ and I also post updates on rchase.com!
Why wouldn't you use teams phone system at that point?
Here is something you don't have in this overview. As an MSP or any business, you have overhead, such as rent, utilities, insurance, etc.
I did not plan for rent, utilities, or insurance. I planned to start this MSP out of my apartment and grow from there. Insurance would be nice, but an office is definitely not a requirement for a new MSP. You can meet customers at their office or be 100% remote.
@@ReillyChase Correct, you can work from home, but that is still a cost. Unless you have another job paying your Bill's. But, to think ahead, it should be included.
@@schmarvin True!
One option to help manage the cost of rent for startups is the virtual office.
NEVER include unlimited IT support. It will run you into the ground ASAP.
Never ever ever!
Hey man are you still in business? Im on my own MSP Journey right now and would love to chat.
HOW'S IT GOING SO FAR? UPDATE !
Hi Gerald! I changed plans right before I was going to really build up my MSP and I became a SaaS provider for MSPs. I launched hostifi.net, a UniFi controller hosting service, instead and it gained traction so I put all my effort into that instead of my MSP locklinnetworks.com. Toward the end of 2018 I launched my second SaaS, ghostifi.net, a VPN service. Last week I was fired from my job as a Security Analyst because they felt my businesses were a conflict of interest, so I am now going fulltime on them.
@@ReillyChase Thanks for the update, can you post another update, quite interesting - also why no love for the MSP
Charging way too little. MSP out in California have starting monthly premium at $850.00/mo regardless of size of business.
You will find it diffuclt to apply your offering to most customers. Most customers don't like change and a lot of them still would not want to change their current services (on premise exchange, phones, DNS and Website hosts). You will find that your offerings will have to adapt to clients current environment. During your support would have to provide evidence why they should change (Ease of use, Cost savings, Up time, Cost of maintenance) and then offer these solutions. You are really narrowing your market if you only want to support these services.
Honestly this is a joke. An MSP typically has 100's or more services they provide clients. Endpoint management or support, email, website hosting - that's doesn't even scratch the surface of what an MSP does. Don't forget business insurance which can run you as much as 3 to 5k per month. You're not an MSP, you're someone who can use screen connect. They are not the same. Love your enthusiasm, but God damn, this is exactly why this industry is so tough when anyone that has mouse thinks they can do it.
Ahh, as someone getting into the industry, I appreciate your POV. Would you have the same concerns of a residential focused MSP?