#17 – From the Trenches - Calculated MSP Growth & Risk (Ron Oppermann)

In this From the Trenches episode, Ron Oppermann, Co-Founder of E3 IT Services, joins Josh Peterson to share his remarkable journey from industrial engineering to managed IT services. Ron recounts how adaptability, partnership, and calculated risk-taking turned a small home-based operation into a thriving MSP serving enterprise clients across multiple industries.

From CAD operator to business owner, Ron’s story illustrates the power of perseverance and reinvestment. He highlights lessons in partnership, leadership, and the importance of structured sales and marketing strategies that fueled E3 IT’s growth. His philosophy: stay flexible, keep learning, and never stop investing in your people and processes.

For more on scaling your MSP intelligently, explore our resources on building a scalable MSP sales process, the financial metrics that drive MSP growth, and leadership lessons on ego and partnerships in MSPs.

For more episodes and insights, visit the BMK Vision Podcast main page →

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Episode Highlights

• 00:00:00 – From industrial engineering to IT services through real-world experience.
• 00:13:25 – Hiring Ryan—the first employee who became a growth catalyst and partner.
• 00:23:52 – Leveraging structured sales methodologies to grow revenue by 25% annually.
• 00:31:53 – The value of continuous change and adaptability in the MSP industry.
• 00:40:25 – Leadership lessons on ego, humility, and partnership timing.
• 00:44:10 – Calculated risk-taking as a foundation for sustainable MSP growth.

About the Guest

Ron Oppermann is the Co-Founder of E3 IT Services, where he leads with a focus on adaptability, sales excellence, and sustainable growth. His journey from industrial engineering to entrepreneurship offers a real-world playbook for MSP owners looking to evolve from technicians to strategic leaders.

🌐 Connect with Ron on LinkedIn →

About the Host

Josh Peterson is the CEO of Bering McKinley and host of the BMK Vision Podcast. Through the From the Trenches series, Josh features founders and leaders who’ve built thriving MSPs through hard lessons, leadership growth, and strategic reinvestment.

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