Building a Customer-Obsessed Empire: Inside Helpt

Host Kevin Lancaster, CEO of Channel Program, explores the entrepreneurial journey and industry insights with guest Michael Crean, Senior Vice President of Managed Services at SonicWall and Founder of Solutions Granted. They explore Crean's 22-year journey from founding Solutions Granted to its acquisition by SonicWall, highlighting the strategic and emotional aspects of selling a business. The conversation uncovers pivotal moments, including Crean's evolution from MSP to managed security pioneer, the challenges of scaling globally, and SonicWall's transformative impact on their offerings. Key takeaways include strategies for navigating acquisitions, maintaining a passionate drive post-sale, and creating value for MSPs through innovative MDR solutions. This episode is packed with actionable insights and emotional depth for business leaders and channel partners. Tune in now to hear how a visionary leader reshaped managed security services and found the perfect partner to expand on a global scale.

Kevin Lancaster, CEO of Channel Program, and Jon Murchison, CEO of Blackpoint Cyber, bring the heat in this episode! They dig into how AI is flipping the script on cybersecurity, the evolution of the MSP market, and why running a business means mastering more than just tech. It's a high-energy convo packed with sharp insights, real talk, and a blueprint for growth. Don't miss out—hit play now for the full episode and unlock your next move!

In this episode, host Kevin Lancaster sits down with Gerwai Todd, the dynamic CEO of TimeZest and PIA, to unravel his bold journey of leading two cutting-edge companies while revolutionizing MSP service delivery. From humble beginnings in banking to scaling tech startups and mastering AI-driven automation, Gerwai shares how he's reshaping the customer experience and solving the "ticket problem" MSPs face daily. Tune in for insights on building commercially viable tech, bootstrapping success, and managing global teams—all while balancing innovation with relentless focus. Whether you're a tech entrepreneur or just love a story of grit and strategy, this episode is packed with lessons to elevate your game. Don't miss it!

In this episode of The Channel CEO, Kevin Lancaster dives into a high-energy chat with Gil Friedrich, VP of Email Security at Check Point and former CEO of Avanan. From scaling a cybersecurity startup to 35,000 customers to navigating the transition into a $20B global powerhouse, Gil shares raw insights on leadership, innovation, and staying ahead in a relentless game of cyber cat-and-mouse. They tackle AI-driven threats, MSP growth hacks, and why Gil refuses to take "no" for an answer. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build—and keep building—world-class solutions in an ever-evolving market.

In this episode of The Channel CEO, host Kevin Lancaster sits down with Michael Lawson, CEO of Couchdrop.io, to dive into the world of data migration, SFTP servers, and what it takes to build two fast-growing tech products from New Zealand. Michael shares how he turned challenges into opportunities, why focus is a superpower in business, and the hard lessons learned when shiny new features distract from core goals. With a mix of humility and sharp insight, Michael reveals what's next for Couchdrop, Movebot, and the future of managing the world's exploding data. Whether you're a startup founder, an MSP, or just love hearing about the grit behind successful CEOs, this one's for you!

When a vodka-fueled mansion party WAN meltdown sparks the creation of a game-changing 5G connectivity solution, you know this isn't your average MSP story. Join Kevin Lancaster, CEO of Channel Program, as he dives into the wild journey of Steve Copeland, CEO of Rhythmz, from "retirement" to revolutionizing how MSPs tackle failover, edge computing, and events like Coldplay concerts. They dish on the $1,800-a-day boxes Steve said "nah" to, how Rhythmz is turning connectivity nightmares into cash cows, and why MSPs should stop "pivoting" and start chasing their next "lighthouse."  Find out how Rhythmz is making 75% POS failure rates a thing of the past—for food trucks and billion-dollar events. Listen to the full episode now and discover why this is the next no-brainer for every MSP's toolkit!

In this dynamic episode, Kevin Lancaster connects with Matthew Pincus and David Sohn, co-founders of Helpt, the game-changing service redefining customer experience for MSPs. Hear how a chance meeting on a softball field led to a bold venture focused on delivering extreme customer obsession and why they prioritize empathy and efficiency to stand out in a crowded market. They reveal how their human-centric approach, blended with cutting-edge AI, is reshaping support and driving MSP growth. With laughs, actionable advice, and industry-shifting insights, this is your backstage pass to the future of exceptional customer experience. Don't miss it—your next big idea might start here!

In this episode of The Channel CEO, Kevin Lancaster dives deep with Mark Alayev, CEO of Thread, to explore how AI and automation are rewriting the rules for MSPs. Mark shares why Threads is declaring "Death to the Ticket" and pioneering a radical shift in service delivery with Magic Agents and agentic AI. They break down how Thread empowers MSPs to cut costs, supercharge efficiency, and reclaim their role as true technology partners. Don't miss this conversation packed with game-changing insights and bold predictions for the future of managed services. Hit play now to discover why Thread is setting the bar for AI-powered MSP innovation!

In this episode of The Channel CEO podcast, host Kevin Lancaster sits down with Brent Maropis, CEO of Rev.IO, to dive into the journey of transforming a small lifestyle business into a cutting-edge leader in billing and payments for MSPs. Brent shares his personal story—from his early leadership roles at Cbeyond to navigating high-stakes challenges with private equity—and how he applied those hard-earned lessons to reshape RevIO into a fast-growing, innovative platform. With insight into everything from customer feedback-driven product development to successfully executing multiple acquisitions, Brent opens up about what it really takes to scale a tech company in today's ever-evolving market. If you're interested in the tech world, scaling businesses, or the strategies behind navigating complex market landscapes, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Brent's relentless focus on helping clients grow revenue efficiently and his thoughtful, methodical approach to building industry-changing solutions will inspire any entrepreneur or CEO. Listen and subscribe now to catch the full conversation!

In this episode of The Channel CEO podcast, host Kevin Lancaster chats with Zane Conkle, CEO of Cytracom, about how Cytracom is redefining VoIP and network security for MSPs. Zane discusses the journey from launching VoIP solutions to building ControlOne, a revolutionary product that displaces traditional firewalls and protects every device and user seamlessly under a unified policy. The conversation dives deep into how Cytracom makes life easier for MSPs by delivering scalable, secure infrastructure at a predictable price point. Zane also shares exciting insights into Cytracom's future, including major investments in threat detection, AI capabilities, and advanced reporting tools. With full observability over network traffic and the ability to catch cyberattacks before they're even announced, Cytracom is positioning itself as a leader in helping MSPs tackle security challenges. Listen and subscribe to the podcast now to stay ahead of the curve!