#50 – From the Trenches: Data Portability, PE Money & MSP Basics That Still Matter (Karl Palachuk – Small Biz Thoughts)

2025-12-13

For this From the Trenches conversation, Josh Peterson sits down with Karl W. Palachuk — author, speaker, MSP consultant, and founder of Small Biz Thoughts. Together, they unpack how the MSP industry has changed over the past two decades, why foundational blocking-and-tackling still matters, and how private equity and PSA vendors may shape the next wave of disruption. Guest Introduction Karl W. Palachuk is the owner of Small Biz Thoughts and founder of the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community, a global platform helping IT co...

For this From the Trenches conversation, Josh Peterson sits down with Karl W. Palachuk — author, speaker, MSP consultant, and founder of Small Biz Thoughts. Together, they unpack how the MSP industry has changed over the past two decades, why foundational blocking-and-tackling still matters, and how private equity and PSA vendors may shape the next wave of disruption.

Guest Introduction

Karl W. Palachuk is the owner of Small Biz Thoughts and founder of the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community, a global platform helping IT consultants and MSPs master the business side of their business. In this episode, Josh and Karl discuss managed services history, data portability, private equity pressures, and the mindset MSPs need to thrive in an AI-driven future.

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🎙 What We Cover in This Episode

• How Josh and Karl first connected during the early SMB Nation era

• Karl’s shift from local consulting to books, speaking, and community building

• Why Managed Services in a Month still influences MSPs well beyond $10M+

• The culture of generosity in the MSP community — and why it matters

• Why many newer MSPs rely on formulas instead of real consulting

• AI, automation, and the owners who refuse to “learn one more technology”

• Private equity, PSA vendors, and the real risk around data portability

• What happens if your core PSA gets carved up, sold, or shut down

• How small MSPs can still win on service in a billion-dollar-tool ecosystem

• Where Karl sees the next wave of PSA and MSP tool disruption