Episode 11 – My First Million: Jason Brooks

Show Notes:

Build a Business, Not a Job

In this episode, Jason Brooks, founder and president of Beanstalk Computing, shares his journey from hobbyist techie to building a seven-figure MSP. Brooks opens up about treating the business like a personal ATM in the early years, the mindset shift that pushed him to take growth seriously, and the exact systems and strategies that helped him double his revenue in just two years.

Key Themes and Takeaways

The “Wake-Up Call” Mindset Shift. Brooks admits he used to treat MSP as a lifestyle business, with no real structure. Joining TMT was the mindset shift he needed; he learned that to grow, he needed to run Beanstalk like a real business—not use it as his personal checking account.

Growth by the Numbers. Beanstalk Computing was stuck at around $300K for years before things finally clicked. “Two years ago, I was at half a million in revenue,” Brooks says. “My goal was to double the revenue of my business in the two years since I joined [TMT]—and that’s what happened.”

Creative, Consistent Marketing. His “lumpy mail” campaigns and unique red envelopes help him stand out. Each prospect gets multiple touches—3 emails, 3 phone calls, and repeat outreach throughout the year.

Building a Culture of Gratitude. Brooks gives milestone gifts to clients—not on holidays, but on key anniversaries. He uses personalized cupcakes and small surprises to deepen client relationships.

Actionable Tips for MSP Owners

  • Use Outsourced Help, But Keep Control
    • Outsource support and marketing where needed, but own your data and stay involved.
    • Regularly review performance—especially call recordings and campaign ROI.
  • Master Your Financials
    • Separate accounts for taxes, profit, and expenses using a Profit First approach.
    • Understand your numbers to make smarter decisions and avoid cash crunches.
  • Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded Peers
    • Brooks credits much of his growth to being in the Accelerators Club and Producers Club.
    • Learning from other MSP owners helped him avoid costly mistakes and fast-track progress. “You can be the smartest person in the room… or you can be in the room where you learn from everyone else,” Brooks says.

What’s Next for Beanstalk Computing?

Brooks is now focused on scaling Beanstalk Computing to $10M in revenue and 5,000 endpoints over the next 10 years. He’s working on building a strong team, doubling revenue again within two years, and continuing to refine his processes so the business runs efficiently with or without him.

Brooks’ journey is a playbook for MSPs who are stuck in “owner-operator” mode. By shifting your mindset, systematizing your operations, and surrounding yourself with smart peers, you can go from a stagnant lifestyle business to a scalable, profitable MSP.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe for more MSP success stories and visit MSPSuccess.com for resources and inspiration! If you missed our last episode, tune in here to hear how Stuart Bryan hit his first million by breaking out of a bottleneck.

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