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Melanie:
You guys deal with metaphorical fires as your job being human, running a business is hard enough. It by default requires a level of intensity. You do not get into business for yourself if you are not up for the intensity.
Eric:
Hey Justin, how are you today?
Justin:
What's up my friend? And welcome everyone to the All Things MSP podcast. My name is Justin Esgar. Oh, my OG host Eric Anthony, bring you all things m s p cuz that's what the podcast is named. Right Man, how are you?
Eric:
I'm good. You know, it's a, well, I was gonna say it's a wonderful day outside, but it's really kind of dark and, and you know, we got these storms coming, but whatever we don't wanna make this into another Meteor Oil electrical podcast. So how are you?
Justin:
I'm good, I'm good. I'm here. I'm waiting for my lunch. I got really in the mood for wings today. I don't know why. I feel like as we're trying to figure out how to get the format together, maybe this could be like a all things s p plus eating podcast. Because if we always record, like right around my lunchtime, and so I'm always sitting here going, watching my phone. If anyone ever watches the videos of this and sees like, I look down for a minute, that's me looking at my phone, wondering if my doorbell's ringing while we're recording <laugh>.
Eric:
So how about this? You can order lunch. I'll pour a scotch and then we'll do the podcast.
Justin:
Yeah, that works for me. This is what we're doing as we figure out the format, but as always, we promise it'll be better next time. This though, this episode's gonna be great cuz we have an amazing guest. It's guest number two. I'm super excited. This woman is a great friend of mine. I've known her for many, many, many, many, many years. I'm just gonna let her introduce herself. Ladies and gentlemen, please while you're in your car, pull over safely, then give a round of applause for Miss Melanie Curtis. Melanie
Melanie:
<Laugh>, I'm giving myself a round of applause. Boom. <laugh>. I'm like you, you mean I'm not, I don't get to sit here and list and have and listen to you regale the world of my 25 minute bio that I <laugh>. I'm like, what is it that I don't do? Yeah. Team, thank you for having
Justin:
Me. You do a lot, you do a lot, do a lot things. So we'll, we'll let, all right. So let's regal that 25 minute down to like a two, three sentence thing. Let everyone on the show who's listening know who you are and then we'll get into why we brought you on the show.
Melanie:
Yeah, team, I'm thrilled to be here. I am a speaker, I am a coach, I am an author. I am a professional sky diver. I am a lover of people and all things that are personal and professional development. So yeah, Justin, I love our story. I think that's always a great place for people to start and get to know me. Connected to you Justin Fedora guy.
Justin:
So true story. I was looking for a work-life balance speaker for one of the ISS conferences and I had known a, another gentleman named Peter Shankman. I emailed him and said, who should I talk to? And he said, you need to talk to Melanie Curtis. I said, okay, fine. So Melanie are emailing back and forth. She gives me her digits. Yeah. And then I I called her up, I called her up and she's like, you're in my phone already as Justin, the Fedora guy. And I was like, that's cuz I hacked your phone. Cause I'm so good at what I do. But in reality, it took us at a while to figure out that we actually met like five years earlier at a, at a, at a conference in Las Vegas. And I happened to have been wearing, it's not actually fedora, we figured out later, it's a trilby, but you know, whatever, <laugh>. And I was gonna, I was like throwing a party in my room and I was inviting all these people from the conference and Melanie happened to have been at that conference and I gave her my phone number so she could figure out where our hotel was. And then she never showed up at the party.
Melanie:
Hi, that's not true. I was at the party. It was with Sweet John, our mutual friend. Yeah, totally was at the party. I didn't stay very long cuz I just didn't feel like it. But it was, it's, it's a great example of, of connecting, of networking, of like, really I was at that conference by myself. I was trying to meet people and it's like totally a brave thing to do, I think, to go to a conference and also to show up in community in all, all kinds of respects, which I think is a really useful thing that you and I could talk about on this show. I mean, if it's all things m s P, you know, leading your mastermind now just in the ACEs community, it's a great example of how do we find community? How do we build relationships? How do we expand our networks? How do we find support as entrepreneurs, as business owners, as solo entrepreneurs and all of those things. So yeah, I don't know where you wanna take our conversation, but, but let's dive in. I was actually just
Justin:
Gonna case you want, I was just gonna, I was just gonna shut up and let you just talk for 25 minutes and then come back at the end. Eric, what'd you think? And like, <laugh> and see what happens. Well, so let's talk about why we brought you on. So Eric and I brought you on because you are yes, you are the coach for the ACEs program within, which is my program. But we brought you on because you do a lot in professional development and now you've met a lot of apple based M s P owners. So you can, you can speak on this. What is something other than hiring you as a coach necessary for owners of MSPs to really, like, what, what do we think like the, the breakthrough is? Like, I know I asked these silly questions like, what's the one thing and it's number one thing, but like, what's the breakthrough for MSPs that they need to do in order to like get better?
Melanie:
Yeah, that is a huge question and certainly there's not single answer. And I think having the humility to understand that it can't be one answer is a big part of it, right? Really accepting and going, okay, what is it that I uniquely need? What is it that my business uniquely needs? And so there's this practice of self-reflection and situational reflection that really is a necessary foundational, both functional skill as a business owner, but also a, an emotional and relational skill as well. Because we grow, we evolve as people, our businesses grow and evolve. And so what we need at this year is gonna be different than what we need in five years or in one year or, or potentially in six months. It really depends. And so, yes, other than hiring me as a coach, but why would someone hire me as a coach? They would hire me to be a teammate for them in this process, right? We, we open up spaces, conversational spaces where people can get support, where they can be asked in a very non-judgmental, emotionally safe environment. These questions around self and self-reflection and situational reflection. Only from that, that inquiry, that safe inquiry, can we find our next steps? So like, that's the thing about, like what is it, what's the go-to be all, what's the answer for all MSPs? Well, it's that type of practice is what I would, I would highlight the most.
Justin:
I'm soon with, with, with emotion just from, from hearing all that because <laugh>,
Melanie:
Duh, hello,
Justin:
Duh. Because, cause this is what I love about you because like you're so articulate when it comes to talking about this stuff and then, and then we can joke around about like dumb ish on the side and it's completely different thing, right?
Melanie:
Absolutely. That's another key skill. By the way. If you can't make fun of yourself, if you can't laugh at the comedy of being human and the ridiculousness and the extremity and intensity of being human, you are, can I swear on this podcast? <Laugh>? You are f Yeah, because seriously, life being human running a business is hard enough. It by default requires a level of intensity. You do not get into business for yourself if you are not up for the intensity. If you don't realize that that is required, that that's a default life experience being a business owner, you will be it'll be a rude awakening and likely people will be like, Ugh, I need to go back and I need to get a job. Right? So it's like, like reckoning with that intensity and then learning how do I do it? Okay, yeah. Hire my hashtag life coach, Mel, fine emotional safety. And she makes me feel all warm inside. Fuck yeah, cool. But also, ugh, I need to have spaces for humor. I need to connect in community, what I was saying at the beginning with people who are let me make jokes and know that that's not gonna take away from my growth, but also know that that really is a part of how I sustain my business and myself.
Justin:
I got an idea, Eric for the all things MSP Facebook group, we need to start doing it meme Mondays. Yes. As like a joke thing, right? Like, yeah, post, post just pictures of if you're listening to this and, and, and, and, and you have access to a computer right now, post as many clippy memes as possible to the all things MSP Facebook group fan of facebook.com/group saying all and <laugh> hate msp. Cause I'm sure it'll piss Eric off as much as possible. <Laugh>, but it's community. It's all about the community.
Eric:
Well, and and you're absolutely right that I, running a business is intense, period. Running a computer business. I mean, that's why Justin has no hair, right?
Justin:
<Laugh>,
Melanie:
That's why he wears sior.
Eric:
That's okay. Justin. Mine's mine
Melanie:
Material. Be
Eric:
Mine's going, mine's going. But seriously though, with, especially with cybersecurity and all of those things that are happening you know, we're, we're dealing with some serious stress in this industry. In fact, you know, I'm, I'm involved heavily in CompTIA and we're actually thinking about having a whole group that just talks about mental health because absolutely. It's really becoming a serious problem for our industry.
Melanie:
That's totally understandable. Yeah. I mean, stress is not, we are not evolutionarily designed to be under chronic stress, whether it is emotional stress, situational stress like we've been talking about. But yeah, you guys deal with metaphorical fires as your job. Like this is a, this is a high stress situation. I, I'm imagining that there are some things that are lower stress. I know I don't know everything about computers, obviously, even though I work with a lot of M S P M S P clients, but still, it's, it's something to really think about because I keep talking about it from the perspective of sustainability, but why do we get into business for ourselves in the first place? It's so that we can have freedom so that we can make our own choices, set our own schedule so we can see our families more go on vacation or whatever.
And then a lot of times what happens, and I certainly invite you both to weigh in on this, is that people then feel like they can't leave, that they spend every waking hour. And, and I get it, one of my favorite quotes about entrepreneurship is entrepreneurs will work 80 hours a week so they don't have to work 40 hours a week. So there's something to right, there's something to that freedom. So I'm not trying to diminish that value, it's re it's a really high one, but but everything I has, its yin and yang. And so that's what I invite people to consider is not that, oh, if you're working 80 hours a week, you're totally screwed and you're screwing it up and you're bound for a mushroom cloud or breakdown or whatever. Maybe, maybe. But we have to really think about this sustainability question.
Why would there be a, a, a, a session or a community or a slack channel on mental health? Because people are not thinking about how can I sustain this? Where am I gonna get my breaks? Where is my soul being fueled with my time with my family or friendships or getting out into nature or whatever. It's not li I need to be hashtag life coach, fluffy, whatever. But these things are really hard topics that are so important. If we want to sustain the original inspiration around why we got into business in the first place, whether it's that freedom piece or whether it's being in service to other people or whatever.
Justin:
I think also you know, there's that expression. It's lonely at the top, right? And, and the problem for, for the listener base here is that all of the people who are listening, you are all owners of your business. You're at the top and it is lonely there, but it doesn't have to be, right. Yeah. I think that's what we're getting at, right? There's a community here, right here within the, the 4,000 people that are in the Facebook group right here within the people that are listening to the podcast. If you're all listening to the podcast right now, just realize that someone else is also listening to the podcast. You guys are in this community. So you, while you are at the top of your game in your business at your company, you're not alone. And, and that's what we're here for. It also is a point of reference. We're talking about like time off vacation one <laugh>, Melanie knows the story, but I actually haven't had like a real vacation due to a series of unfortunate events since like last August, <laugh>, it's been killing me. But I do get to take the time off cuz after recording this, I'm going downstairs and I'm prepping for the Esgar Supper Club, which Melanie got to beta test for me the other week.
Melanie:
<Laugh>, I loved it. Paella. Yeah.
Eric:
Oh that's, that was the paella.
Justin:
Yes, that was the paella that we po that I posted the chicken tree today. Just for anyone who's listening and they wanna get mouth wording, cuz I know we talk about food a lot on this podcast. <Laugh> sovi Sovi file minion served with a red wine mushroom risotto cheese and meat port to start carrots, roast carrots on the side and I'm finishing it with a chocolate lava cake with a homemade french vanilla ice cream boom. Hashtag.
Melanie:
So good. So good.
Justin:
But that's
Melanie:
What I, stupid though,
Justin:
But that's my release. Like, that's when I am, like I, I can, can finish work and I don't need to worry about tickets. And luckily none of my clients really work on the weekend, so I don't really have to worry about that stuff. And I can release all of that pressure of the week I was up early cuz I had a client this morning, it's seven 15 in the morning texting me because PowerPoint, you know, their documents won't open from, from Outlook because you know, Microsoft so <laugh> the like, to get out of that, to get out of my head, to get out of tickets, and whilst I'll be sitting there in the kitchen working and I have my iPad and I have my phone and I'll be looking at Slack, there's nothing happening. I just look at it because of habit, but there's nothing happening. I don't really have to worry about it and I should train myself to stop checking it. But that's a, that's for another another session with my therapist, <laugh>.
Melanie:
It's hashtag mental health. I
Justin:
Love it. Hashtag mental health. Yeah, I
Melanie:
Love
Eric:
It. Well, you know, same here. I didn't take a vacation for this first seven years of my business. Seven years.
Justin:
Yeah.
Eric:
Not a meaningful one anyway.
Melanie:
Yeah,
Justin:
Yeah. It's tough. It's tough for everybody. But, but I think what we're getting at, which like I said, and and Mel has brought this up, right? The community is here to help. That's what this show is about. Whether we're doing it from a mental, a mental health aspect, or we're doing it from a technical aspect. We're the show is here to help you. And the people that we bring on, you know we've had great guests in the past and we have Melanie now we're bringing on to allow us to be able to help you. And that's what this community's for. And that's, and and that's, and that's what Melanie's talking about. Melanie always brings such a great energy too. I love, I love talking to her because she always brings such a great energy to every phone call we do.
Melanie:
Oh, thank you Justin. I, I mean, well it's because when I'm in my honest zone of genius, you know, when I'm here in service, it's, I am I'm in my soul fuel state. One of my, I am probably gonna butcher this quote, but it's one of my favorite quotes. It's something about you're, it's not that you're doing too much of the wrong thing, it's that you're not doing enough of what lights your soul on fire. And so that can be hard when our job involves things that we don't necessarily la ne necessarily love doing. Like, do I love sending emails? No, I really, I really don't. I don't like sending emails. I don't like calling the irs, I don't like doing all kinds of different things that my business requires me to do. I don't like reviewing my p and l and I, I just don't like doing that.
There's a lot of being a business owner that I don't really like, but what I ensure I I do are these things that light my soul on fire. And for me, it, it's about connection. It's about human beings. I, I I say this kind of very simply that like, my purpose is people and it's just like, how am I being in service? How am I being an honest, authentic connection? And you brought this up, Justin, which I think is so important for any business owner and certainly a solo entrepreneur in the M S P space is when we realize we're not alone. It takes the steam out of that pot. It really, really does. I can tell you as an early entrepreneur listening to podcasts made so much difference for me because I was like, oh, I'm not a complete loser because I feel lonely, because I feel like I'm screwing it up all the time because I feel like I quote should know more because of whatever I'm afraid for this reason or that reason. It's just really, really supportive. So we're in this space of contribution. So I'm all, I'm lit up and like if I'm on a call with a client, I'm, I'm present with them. I'm, I want to be there. And so that's why you feel that energy coming from me, cuz are there times when I'm not drooling watching Netflix? Yeah, those, those days exist.
Justin:
What are you watching on
Eric:
Netflix? Those days exist for all of us.
Justin:
I'm just more whatcha are you watching on Netflix right now? I need something new to watch <laugh>.
Melanie:
What am I watching? Well, I I finally watch Station 11. Oh my God. So intense. So intense. It's basically about how a flu kills like all of humanity and like a certain handful of people survive. It's so intense. And I'm also watching you, which is like about a stalker murderer, what is up with that? But normally I watch stuff like next in fashion or movies.
Justin:
Yeah, I was like, that seems really dark for somebody like you <laugh>. I
Melanie:
Know, I know. I'm in this interestingly dark Netflix phase, but I I'm also watching Next in fashion because the creative expression, the art, just, I love that stuff.
Eric:
So Justin, what are you watching right now?
Justin:
I'm watching taskmaster just came back Season 15 just started. It's a British TV show. Very fun to watch. Star Trek Picard because hashtag nerd. And my wife and I still watch this. This is a, this is gonna be a throwback. My wife wife still watch on mtv. There's a show called The Challenge, which started off as the Real World Row Rules Challenge 36 seasons ago,
Eric:
<Laugh>. Wow. Oh
Justin:
My God. And so we're still watching that. Yeah. Yeah. We still watch that. Yeah, it's, it's, it's, yeah, it's what do they call that? Like it's our Vice <laugh>. Yeah,
Melanie:
Totally. I mean Speak Ahead. Next Top Model had like 15 seasons and I watched all of them. It was the same thing because of the r and the photo shoot. Ugh. I love that stuff. Sorry Eric, go ahead. No,
Eric:
That's okay. But speaking of dark Netflix shows, has anybody watched the Consultant <laugh>?
Melanie:
No.
Justin:
Oh, I heard about this.
Eric:
Oh, it's good. <Laugh>. It's very, very good.
Justin:
Christoff
Melanie:
Walter, I'll add it to the list. Add it to the list.
Justin:
Yeah. for those, for, for those who are listening who are MSP owners, I'm sure you guys all have your own Plex setups I'm sure <laugh>, you can connect it to Netflix and you can get it from there or download or, or get it on, watch it on Netflix Live. I think we're running low on time. So Melanie, real quick where can people find you online who wanna like, I don't wanna say get help, but like wanna talk or, or, or, or have Yeah. Wanna engage in meaningful connection is what I'm looking for here.
Melanie:
Absolutely. Yeah. Melanie curtis.com. M e l a n i e c u r t i s melanie curtis.com. That's my website. I'm most active on Instagram and LinkedIn for socials. I have a Facebook presence, but I'm trying to lean away from Facebook more and more. It's just like, hmm. But yeah, LinkedIn, Instagram, and, and feel free to write me directly at my website. I would, I would welcome the outreach anytime.
Justin:
And you have a podcast also, right?
Melanie:
Yeah, that's right. Gosh, thanks. See, you know more about my businesses than I do trust. The journey.today is my, is my podcast. That's a much more heart-centered space. We're all about growth, mindedness, spiritual seeking and supporting each other through the practice of really sharing openly and honestly. So I have a lot of practice being really open in my sharing. So <laugh> it might seem really easy to me, but it's, you know, it's because of that calling, that deeper calling to connection. And I, you can't really be truly self truly connected if you're not truly self-expressed. And so that's why I would invite people into these communities that we've been talking about today, because sometimes that honest self-expression is just like, Ugh, I was really stressed today. How are you doing?
Justin:
Right? And I know, I know for a lot of you listeners that like, you might think this is, you know, like Mel said, fluffy clouds fufu. Trust me, I've been working with Melanie for years now. I have people in the ACEs group who have been working with Melanie for years. And this is the, the, the mindset thing is huge and it will make you a better person. Melanie, thank you so much for being here. We appreciate you as always. Eric, I think that's time we have to say goodbye now.
Eric:
I know. And it's been so much fun today. So yeah, Melanie, thank you very much for being here. Really do appreciate it. Justin, send us home.
Justin:
This has been the All Things MSP podcast with your host, Justin Esgar, OG host, Eric Anthony, and special guest Melanie Curtis. Feel free to reach us at facebook.com/group/all things msp. Tell us what you want to hear about on the show. Technical questions, mental health questions, business questions, p and l questions. Why do we bring people on the way we bring people on? What kind of food is Justin about to eat for lunch? Ask whatever you wanna ask. We'll, we'll maybe give you the answer. That's what we're here for. Don't forget to subscribe and like we'll see you next time. Bye. See
Eric:
Ya.