Stephen Demaayer, CEO, Novatech

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Stephen Demaayer, CEO of Novatech, shares how the company has evolved from its roots as a copier and printer sales business into a complete managed office solutions provider, combining managed IT, cybersecurity, and print management for thousands of clients across the southeastern United States and beyond. Founded in the 1980s and built through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic growth, Novatech now serves roughly 10,000 customers, with its managed IT segment growing rapidly even as the traditional print business remains essential to its overall strategy. Stephen discusses how he led organizations through major economic contractions, including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, and how those experiences shaped his approach to preserving technical talent and capability even during the toughest downturns. The conversation explores Novatech's transformation from a transactional, device-selling model into a proactive, service-driven business built around recurring revenue, client trust, and operational urgency. Stephen explains how artificial intelligence is reshaping the company's ability to predict equipment failures, train new technicians using decades of aggregated field experience, and deliver faster, more reliable service to clients who depend on their technology to keep running. He also shares insights on scaling company culture through rapid growth, the unique advantages Novatech brings to its acquisition strategy, and his vision for a future where managed IT becomes the majority driver of the business within the next several years. Connect: Website: https://www.novatech.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevendemaayer