Scaling IT Services in Small Towns: Ali Johnston (EP 804)

Why Listen?This episode offers relatable insights for IT professionals working in smaller markets or expanding their businesses into new regions. Ali Johnston’s stories about cybersecurity awareness and scaling managed services are both practical and inspiring, making this a must-listen for anyone navigating growth while maintaining client trust.Show NotesAli Johnston, owner of Bel Tech Services and longtime friend of Uncle Marv’s podcast, joins us live from ASCII Edge in Orlando to discuss her journey as an IT business owner focused on hypergrowth and cybersecurity awareness. After taking a hiatus from industry events to focus on her business, Ali is back with fresh perspectives on scaling managed services in small-town Satellite Beach while navigating the unique challenges of serving mom-and-pop shops.She shares eye-opening stories about local scams targeting older communities, including a shocking incident involving scammers using Uber rides to exploit victims. With a focus on cybersecurity education and awareness, Ali emphasizes the importance of building trust with local clients who prefer personal connections over big corporations.Main Topics CoveredCybersecurity Awareness in Small Communities: Ali recounts personal stories of scams targeting older residents in Satellite Beach and discusses strategies for educating local clients about cybersecurity threats.Scaling Managed Services in Small Towns: Ali explains how she converts service work into managed services by building trust with mom-and-pop shops who value local expertise over big companies.Expanding Into New Markets: Through word-of-mouth referrals, Ali is growing her client base beyond Satellite Beach into areas like Tampa and St. Pete, showcasing the power of relationships in business growth.Zero Trust & SASE Solutions: Ali explores her focus on modern cybersecurity solutions like Zero Trust architecture and SASE while addressing challenges such as managing multiple software agents on client systems.=== SPONSORSPremier Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/Internet Provider, Rythmz: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/rythmzProduction Gear Partner, Liongard: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/liongardTravel Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoipTravel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugridDigital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATEItem Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoItem URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UETItem ID: CSR3UETAuthor Username: AlexanderRufireLicensee: Marvin BeeRegistered Project Name: IT Business PodcastLicense Date: January 1st, 2024Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.