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Business

2026

2025

Skills You Never Meant to Learn as a Consultant (and Why They Matter Beyond Consulting)

When you run a consultancy, you think the job is about your expertise—the thing you’ve been hired to do. But very quickly, you realize the role demands a whole set of skills you never set out to master. They sneak in over time, and before you know it, you’ve become fluent in things you once thought you’d avoid. The funny part is, you don’t even notice you’re learning them until you look back and recognize how much your approach has shifted. These are the skills that never appear on your...

What Does It Really Mean to Be “Senior” in Your Job?

I have a lot of friends in the job market right now, and we’ve been having some interesting conversations about a title that comes up again and again: “Senior.” It’s one of those words that carries weight when you first hear it—implying a certain level of mastery, trust, and authority—but the more you look at how it's used in practice, the more slippery it becomes. We've been debating what exactly "senior" means in different contexts, from years of experience to specific skills or responsibilities.

Lessons Learned: Scale without the burnout. Lessons learned from an IT Entrepreneur on how to build an ideal, converting, MSP in 2025

I’ve written about how I’d build an MSP from scratch in 2024. I followed that up with what I’d do differently in 2025 after a few more battle scars. Now, as I reflect on the way this space keeps evolving, I think it’s time to talk about scale—and more specifically, how not to lose your mind while scaling. It's an area where many MSPs struggle, and I'm no exception.

Are you starting a consulting business in 2025? What you need to know.

As more professionals leave the security of full-time employment to pursue consulting, the idea of starting your own business becomes both inspiring and daunting. While the freedom to shape your career and work on your own terms is alluring, it’s critical to understand that building a successful consulting business involves significant planning, preparation, and risk. This transition requires careful consideration of financial stability, market demand, and personal goals, as well as a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and unexpected setbacks.

Lessons Learned: Build a strong foundation. Lessons learned from an IT Entrepreneur on how to build an ideal, converting, MSP in 2025

In 2014, I embarked on a journey that would shape the next eight years of my life. With a vision in mind and a determination to succeed, I founded Grove Technologies, a Managed Service Provider (MSP) based in Maryland, focused on delivering exceptional IT solutions to businesses of all sizes. The company grew steadily, overcoming challenges and celebrating milestones, until 2022, when I decided it was time to pass the baton and sold the business. It was an incredible experience, filled with invaluable lessons, but as I reflect on those...

2024

Lessons Learned: Do no harm. Lessons learned from an IT Entrepreneur on how to build an ideal, converting, MSP in 2024

From 2014 until 2022 I built and ran a series of successful IT consultancies, from a one person solopreneurship (Jon Brown Consulting), to a startup (Mac Gurus) that grew rapidly but faced significant challenges, to its more mature and accomplished predecessor (Grove Technologies) where I eventually sold the business and exited the industry.

Mastering Mentorship: Navigating the Manager-Mentor Balance in Leadership

In the dynamic landscape of leadership, the role of a mentor holds paramount importance. The ability to guide, inspire, and empower team members is fundamental to fostering a thriving work environment. However, what happens when a manager is tasked with both managerial responsibilities and the role of a mentor? This delicate balancing act is riddled with challenges and complexities. In this blog post, we'll explore the perils and pitfalls of being both a manager and a mentor and discuss effective strategies to navigate this intricate terrain.

Unlocking Business Success: The Power of Partnerships and Collaboration!

Partnerships can change the trajectory of a business, but only when they are built around real value rather than vague optimism. In practice, the best collaborations do not happen because two companies simply like the idea of working together. They happen because each side brings something the other lacks, and because that relationship creates a better outcome for clients, operations, or long-term growth. This requires a clear understanding of what each partner can offer, as well as a willingness to adapt and compromise in order to achieve mutually beneficial results....

Emotional Intelligence in Business: Navigating Personal Feelings and Building Lasting Relationships

Today, I want to open up about a challenge that has been a constant companion on my entrepreneurial journey—the struggle to separate my personal feelings, passion, and drive from my day-to-day business operations. Early in my career, wearing my heart on my sleeve was an asset. It helped me connect with clients, foster deep relationships, and gain trust.