The Nexus IT Chronicles: Earl Foote's 25-Year Startup Story

In episode 015 of the Kiln.RoadTrip, created and produced by The Swell Pod, hosts Spencer McKeown and Josh Taylor interview Earl Foote, CEO of Nexus IT Consultants, during their Kiln Road Trip. Earl shares his unconventional journey in the tech industry, starting Nexus IT at 23 and embracing a rebellious mindset. He discusses the amicable business split with his brother, the importance of managed IT and security services, and the challenges of building a business. Additionally, Earl, a member of a local band, talks about balancing his tech career with his passion for music. The episode highlights Earl's vision for growth and his commitment to creating a positive workplace and community impact.

About Earl Foote:

Meet Earl Foote - the ultimate adventure seeker and music lover. When he's not hitting the slopes, tearing up the trails, or exploring some remote corner of the world, you can find him jamming with his band or spending quality time with his loved ones. Don't let his laid-back nature fool you, Earl's ultimate goal is to make a positive impact in the world and for his team at Nexus IT. With an open and abundance-minded mindset, Earl brings fun and positivity to everyone around him.

Nexus IT is a 25-year-old MSP/MSSP based in Northern Utah and servicing clients in regulated industries around the country. Nexus IT has often been the recipient of prestigious accolades, such as Inc5000, CRN Pioneer 250 and MSP500, Utah and Salt Lake City Best Awards, Utah Fast50, MWCN Utah 100, and more… Nexus IT is an innovator, leader, and trendsetter in the Managed IT Services industry.

About Nexus IT:

Nexus IT: A worry-free, hyper-responsive approach to providing world-class IT support and solutions, so leaders can focus on their business. We elevate our team, clients and community to new heights with our award-winning support, vibrant workplace, lively culture, and community-minded initiatives.

nexusitc.net

Follow Earl Foote & Nexus IT:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earlfoote/

Instagram: @bassslappinceo

Facebook: @bassslappinceo

Twitter: @bassslappinceo

Bullets:

• Interview with Earl Foote, CEO of Nexus IT Consultants
• Earl's background and rebellious mindset
• Journey in building his business
• Challenges and solutions in the IT and cybersecurity industry
• Starting Nexus IT at 23
• Pivoting to business-to-business services
• Splitting the business with his brother
• Problem Nexus IT solves for its clients
• Building a 25-year-old startup
• Future plans and community support

Timestamps:

The kiln road trip (00:00:02) Introduction to the podcast's journey and purpose of interviewing pleasantly rebellious humans.

Earl's background and unconventional mindset (00:01:22) Earl's background, his unconventional mindset, and his journey in building his business.

The path to starting the business (00:03:44) Earl's journey in starting and evolving his business, including challenges and pivots.

The split of the business (00:08:08) Discussion about the split of the business between Earl and his brother, and the reasoning behind it.

The problem solved by Nexus IT (00:11:28) Explanation of the problems solved by Nexus IT for their clients, focusing on tech-enabled and managed security services.

Focus on medium-sized businesses (00:15:38) Reasons for focusing on medium-sized businesses and the importance of cybersecurity for this category of clients.

Creating something new and building a business (00:18:30) Earl's thoughts on creating something new, the importance of execution, and the challenges in building a business.

Building a Business (00:20:21) discusses the challenges and resilience required to build a successful business, including testing hypotheses and gaining product market fit.

Entrepreneurial Journey (00:22:24) The speakers discuss the experience of shuttering businesses and the difficulty of building a successful business, sharing personal experiences and insights.

Music and Tech Execs Band (00:22:37) talks about being part of a grunge punk 90s retro cover band with tech executives, sharing details about their performances and social media presence.

Future Business Plans (00:24:18) discusses his vision for the future, aiming to dominate the regional market and potentially expand through acquisitions in the highly fragmented IT service provider industry.

Motivation for Building (00:29:32) emphasizes the satisfaction of bringing a vision to reality and creating a workplace for enabling and empowering employees.

Community Impact (00:30:59) discusses the value of creating a workplace where employees can do their best work and the importance of supporting community events and non-profits, emphasizing the impact on stakeholders and the community.

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