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Giving up control is uncomfortable for most MSP owners. For Bruce Nelson, it became one of the biggest drivers of growth.

Bruce, President of Vertilocity, joins Brian Hoppe to explain how the business grew from roughly $7 million in revenue to nearly $29 million, with a $35 million target ahead.

They discuss joining a larger CPA firm, using acquisitions to add new capabilities, and building a leadership team that could run the day-to-day without everything flowing through Bruce.

Bruce also shares why culture remains his responsibility, how Vertilocity evaluates potential acquisitions, and why AI could significantly change the skills, pricing models, and services MSPs need over the next several years.

In this episode:

• Why giving up control can accelerate MSP growth
• Growing from roughly $7 million to nearly $29 million
• What Vertilocity looks for when acquiring another MSP
• How joining a larger organization changed Bruce’s role
• Building leaders who can solve problems without the owner
• Why culture is one responsibility Bruce will not delegate
• How AI could reshape the MSP business model

Key Moments

0:00 - Introduction

1:07 - Meet Bruce Nelson

2:01 - Why giving up control matters

4:01 - Building the original MSP

8:15 - Joining HBK and accelerating growth

13:21 - Vertilocity’s acquisition strategy

22:20 - Growing inside a larger organization

30:28 - Building a remote company and leadership team

37:27 - Getting Bruce out of the day-to-day

42:06 - Why culture stays with the leader

50:38 - How AI could reshape MSPs

54:36 - Bruce’s biggest leadership mistake

56:37 - Rapid-fire questions

Connect

Brian Hoppe:

https://brianhoppe.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianhoppe/

Bruce Nelson:

https://vertilocity.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucenelsonvs/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucenelsonvs/