Wim Kerkhoff (Culture Core Group): Founding 2 MSPs and a SaaS company

Our guest this episode is Wim Kerkhoff tells us how he runs Culture Core Group, a collection of three companies: two MSPs (improvingit and Crafty Penguins) and a SaaS Project Management software company for MSPs (Top Left)! Wim has a lot going on, and has done it well by delegating and elevating himself. We chat about everything from his early tinkering with computers to the challenges he's faced scaling his IT services businesses. We talk candidly about mental health challenges - an underdiscussed topic in the 24/7 world of IT.

Title: Wim Kerkhoff (Culture Core Group): Founding 2 MSPs and a SaaS company

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Wim kicked things off by sharing his early fascination with computers, thanks to his dad who introduced him to the tech world with a 286 computer. Fast forward to high school, where he was bored out of his mind and decided to focus on programming instead of the usual subjects. This led him to a tech startup right after graduation, where he discovered that software development wasn’t his jam, but the product side of things lit a fire in him.

As our conversation flowed, we explored Wim's journey from being an employee to a business owner. He shared how he took the leap into entrepreneurship in 2006, motivated by a mix of personal and professional factors. We also dug into how he learned to let go of control in his businesses, fostering a culture where his team could thrive and take ownership of their roles. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t always easy, but the payoff has been huge. It’s all about building that trust and letting your team shine!

Finally, we wrapped up with a discussion about his latest venture, Top Left, a software tool designed to help MSPs visualize their workflow and improve ticket management. Wim’s insights on agility in project management were eye-opening, especially for those of us who’ve been stuck in the waterfall mindset. In this episode, we not only learned about the nuts and bolts of running an MSP but also how to cultivate a thriving team culture and adapt to the ever-evolving tech landscape. If you’re an MSP owner or just curious about the world of tech, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Takeaways:

• Wim Kirkhoff's journey into the tech world started with his dad's early adoption of computers for construction.
• Transitioning from hands-on tinkering to running multiple MSPs was a wild ride filled with lessons.
• Agile methodologies can massively improve project efficiency in MSPs, but it's all about mindset.
• The importance of letting go and trusting your team can be a game changer for business growth.
• Building community and providing education are key strategies for MSPs to thrive in a competitive market.
• Profit sharing plans and transparency about finances can significantly boost team motivation and performance.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Crafty Penguins
• Improving IT
• Top Left
• DataTel
• Agile MSP