Gene Reich’s story is anything but traditional—and that’s what makes it so relevant to today’s MSPs. Featured in the Joey Pinz Discipline Conversations podcast, Gene dives into how his roots in landscaping laid the groundwork for his eventual success in the cybersecurity space. His journey reminds us that growth, whether personal or professional, is deeply rooted in discipline, curiosity, and adaptability.
Here are five key growth lessons MSPs can take from Gene’s story:
1. Your Past Can Shape, Not Limit, Your Future
Gene started his career in gardening—not tech. But instead of viewing that as a detour, he leveraged it. Landscaping taught him patience, planning, and how to work with unpredictable elements—skills that translated directly to managing IT environments and client relationships. For MSPs, the takeaway is clear: your unique background can become a powerful business asset.
2. Adaptation Is the Key to Relevance
As Gene recognized the growing importance of cybersecurity, he didn’t hesitate to evolve. He transitioned from being a traditional MSP to one deeply focused on securing client environments. This proactive shift ensured his continued relevance and value to clients. MSPs that remain rigid in their service offerings risk obsolescence in a fast-moving landscape.
3. Security Isn’t Just Technical—It’s a Business Strategy
Gene doesn’t view cybersecurity as just a layer of protection; he sees it as a foundation for trust, client retention, and long-term relationships. For MSPs, embedding security into your service delivery isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. Clients don’t want reactive protection; they want proactive peace of mind.
4. Programs Like PitchIT Can Accelerate Your Journey
Participation in ConnectWise’s PitchIT program gave Gene valuable exposure, feedback, and structure. It helped him hone his business message and connect with a broader MSP audience. MSPs should explore community and accelerator programs to test their ideas, get noticed, and scale with the right support.
5. Stay Curious and Keep Building
Gene’s story shows a relentless curiosity—about technology, about business, and about personal growth. Whether you started in IT or not, your willingness to learn and evolve will determine how far you go. In an industry where threats change weekly and tools update constantly, curiosity is one of your best assets.
From digging in the soil to defending digital assets, Gene Reich’s story is one of perseverance, evolution, and purpose. For MSPs looking to scale their business, deepen client trust, or pivot into security services, these lessons offer a roadmap worth following.
