What's it like to work as an IT managed service owner? Discover what experienced IT MSP company owners have to say about why they enjoy their line of work.
IT managed service providers offer the business community valuable services, enabling small business owners to grow their companies, protect themselves from malicious cybercriminals, get expert IT assistance 24/7, and much more. While a growing number of companies are embracing IT MSPs and all they have to offer, many people are unaware of what the IT MSP owners think about their line of work. The following fascinating comments from IT managed service provider business owners throughout the MSP community offer a peek into the lives, thoughts, and feelings of those who take on the challenging job of keeping business IT set-ups optimized, safe, and in good working order.
What is the Best Thing About Being a Managed Services Business Owner?
Jorge Rojas from Tektonic Inc. reports that the best thing about being an MSP owner is that being self-employed offers freedom and flexibility. He notes that there is a lot of hard work involved in running a company but that self-employment gives you the feeling you are in control of your life. Scott Clarke from Menark Technologies Inc. echoes Mr. Rojas' sentiments, stating that the best part of his job is the freedom to make his own way, do what he wants, and set up his business the way he wants it. Sarah Smith, a team member at Ulistic, points out that she enjoys knowing her own success is a direct result of her own hard work. Business owners don't have to climb the corporate ladder and wait to be promoted; instead, they believe that anything a person wants in life is achievable if he or she is willing to find a way to make it happen.
James Ritter from Pulse Tech comments that one of the main things he loves about his job is that it not only gives him the opportunity to provide for himself and his family but also the chance to give back to the community and support others in his local area. He notes that he has found that his line of work gives him the ability to make a lasting impact on doing what he loves to do. Jason Simons from ICS also puts a premium on his job's ability to make a difference. He reports that the thing he loves best about his line of work is that it gives him the ability to come up with and implement ideas that shake up the market, improving life for people throughout his city.
Scott Gallupe, the President of 403Tech Inc., makes an interesting point, stating that one thing he enjoys about his job is that it gives him the opportunity to meet and grow with other like-minded individuals. Most people think of IT tech experts as nerdy, brainy people who prefer the company of machines to that of real people; however, Mr. Gallupe clearly enjoys interacting with the many people that he meets in his line of work, noting that being an entrepreneur has given him the ability to surround himself with people he wouldn't have met otherwise.
What are the Challenges?
At the same time, it's important to note that the life of a self-employed entrepreneur is far from easy. Scott Gallupe, the President of 403Tech Inc. accurately points out that entrepreneurship is all about taking risks and that most successful entrepreneurs take high risks in the hopes of reaping high rewards. He also notes that business owners can't expect to work only during regular business hours and then have free time in the evenings and on the weekends. Instead, they often have to work while others are relaxing in order to finish a project and collect a paycheque. Even so, entrepreneurs aren't put off by the extra work or risks; instead, they are attracted to them as they know that failing is simply part of entrepreneurship.
Anyone who is familiar with the challenges of running a company will certainly understand what Mr. Gallupe is talking about. An astounding 70% of small business owners fail within ten years of starting a company. The average entrepreneur spends 52 hours a week working, more than 60% more than the average employee; at the same time, there are plenty of new business owners who work anywhere from 60 to 70 hours a week to get their company off the ground. It's clear that, as Mr. Gallupe points out, being an entrepreneur is a lifestyle, not merely a job.
Naturally, entrepreneurship isn't for everyone and many IT technicians opt for a traditional job as opposed to launching their own business. Nonetheless, those who do step up to the plate and launch their own MSPs don't regret it. They may not succeed in every task they take on, but their passion for helping local business owners create, manage, repair, and secure their IT-set-ups benefits the lives of people throughout the MSP business community.
