In this episode of MSP Unplugged, host Paco Lebron sits down with Chris Cool, Founder and CEO of Cool Technology Group Inc., a Houston/Texas-based managed IT services provider specializing in cybersecurity, cloud solutions, remote/on-site support, and more for small to medium businesses.

Chris shares his inspiring journey—from his days as a University of Colorado student-athlete spending more time in the mountains than in class, to diving into the copier and telecom industry in Dallas in the early 2000s. He climbed the ranks quickly, starting as an Account Executive at Intermedia Communications and rising to Senior VP on the West Coast (while based in Houston), building, growing, and even selling multiple organizations along the way.

The conversation gets real about launching Cool Technology Group in January 2020—just as the pandemic hit—and how Chris navigated that chaos to build a thriving MSP. He opens up about the secret sauce to standing out in a crowded market, the toughest hurdles he's faced (and how he pushed through), his proudest moments, balancing family life in Tomball, Texas, with running the company, and his outlook on emerging trends like cybersecurity threats and tech advancements that small businesses need to watch.

Whether you're a solo MSP operator or scaling a team, this episode is packed with practical insights, entrepreneurial grit, and advice for anyone dreaming of starting or growing their own IT services business.

Paco's back in the studio after a packed stretch — welcome to the first episode of MSP Unplugged's return!

Catch up on the latest:

• Quick tips & tricks: Affordable branded backups with Aaron's Auto Glass Fabs (just $66!), seamless data migration via SQLBackupAndFTP, and troubleshooting ControlOne VPN/DNS issues.
• Big updates at ProdigyTeks: Ditching bundled Microsoft costs (saving thousands!), shifting from flat IG tiers to flexible Service Desk, NOC, and SOC offerings — now with built-in legal protections if clients opt out of security.
• Real talk from the last 6 months managing a roll-up: Everyone faces the same resource challenges (time & money), no one's "better" — just different approaches, and how I can now offer MSPs real lifelines for scaling, exit, or legacy.
• Community vibes: Hosting a local MSP lunch with JATAG Solutions (DM if interested!), plus big news on TechCon Unplugged (date/location reveal soon!).

Join us live right before we ring the new year as we reconnect with Jeff Halash, former host of the Computer Repair Podcast and MSP Unplugged. After four years away, Jeff shares what he's been up to, his thoughts on the MSP industry today, and insights from his journey. Don't miss this nostalgic and informative conversation for tech enthusiasts and MSP pros alike!

MSP Unplugged

https://mspunplugged.com/

Paco Lebron from ProdigyTeks:Powered by MSP Owners Group

Email: paco@mspunplugged.com

John Dubinsky formerly of the Maven Group

Jeff Halash formerly of TechNut PC