One of the most impactful stories from our Better Your Best competition at Boot Camp 2024 came from Mario Zaki, a business owner who went from being stuck in the “fat, dumb, and happy” phase of his MSP career to running a $2 million business. His story isn’t just about growth—it’s about transformation, mindset, and taking action when opportunity knocks.
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The Trap Of Comfort And Contentment
For 15 years, Mario lived in what he called a “comfortable” state. He worked out of his kitchen, handled every type of client imaginable and ran a break-fix model that left him exhausted, tethered to his laptop and unable to take a real vacation. Like many MSP owners, he was stuck in a cycle of doing everything himself because he couldn’t justify paying someone else to help.
This approach kept him from truly growing. Mario’s story highlights a critical truth for MSP owners: growth and comfort will never coexist. You have to step out of what feels “safe” if you want to achieve more.
A Dollar Bill And A Turning Point
Mario’s turning point came in the form of a letter. Stapled to the front was a dollar bill—sent by none other than, Robin Robins. At first, Mario dismissed it, but something about the message stuck. That letter promised he could land one or two new clients a month. Skeptical yet intrigued, he dug deeper and found testimonials from others who had achieved incredible success with the tools we provide.
Eventually, he decided to take a chance and attend a three-day Rapid Implementation Workshop in Nashville. That decision marked the start of his transformation.
Building Momentum: The Power Of Campaigns
At the workshop, Mario joined a weekly accountability group and launched his first campaign—the Good News/Bad News Campaign. This straightforward but highly effective campaign targeted his break-fix customers, introducing them to managed services. The results were staggering: within 90 days, he added $29,000 in monthly recurring revenue.
Mario didn’t stop there. He followed up with the Aspirin Campaign, which brought in two more customers. Each campaign was carefully executed—buying lists, scrubbing them, mailing out materials and following up diligently. The result? A snowball effect that rapidly grew his business.
Marketing Mindset: Beyond Campaigns
What sets Technology Marketing Toolkit apart isn’t just the campaigns—it’s the mindset shift we help MSPs achieve. Mario embraced this fully. He began to think like a marketer, constantly looking for creative ways to reach prospects and engage existing clients. From sending ghosts to re-engage lost prospects to offering “Get Out of Jail Free” cards for hesitant leads, he leveraged every tool in his arsenal to great effect.
As Mario put it, “The more results you see, the more you’re going to want to do.” Marketing became a consistent, non-negotiable part of his business.
Results That Speak For Themselves
Since joining TMT in 2020, Mario’s numbers tell an extraordinary story:
- 2020: $31,000 in monthly recurring revenue
- 2021: $61,000 in monthly recurring revenue
- 2022: $109,000 in monthly recurring revenue
- 2023: $142,000 in monthly recurring revenue
By the first quarter of 2024, Mario had brought on eight new customers and nearly $28,000 in additional MRR. His overall revenue skyrocketed from just over $200,000 pre-TMT to $2 million in 2023.
What’s Your Next Level?
Mario’s success isn’t unique—it’s a roadmap. If you’re still running a break-fix shop, struggling to find time for marketing or hesitant to invest in yourself and your business, take his advice: Don’t stop marketing. Don’t be afraid to take a chance when the opportunity of a lifetime appears.
Whether it’s launching your first campaign, joining a weekly accountability group, or attending one of our workshops, the tools and support are here. It’s up to you to step out of your comfort zone and seize the opportunity.
As Mario said, “Growth and comfort will never coexist.” So, are you ready to level up?
