27 | Earl Foote | How Creativity and Culture Drove 40%+ Growth

What if the secret to scaling a tech business wasn’t just strategy but soul?

In this deeply human conversation, Michael sits down with Nexus IT Consultants founder and CEO Earl Foote to unpack how he’s built one of the fastest-growing managed IT and cybersecurity firms in the country, not through hustle and grind alone, but by leading with creativity, culture, and conviction.

From musician to entrepreneur, Earl shares how art and architecture led him to tech, and how aligning people with purpose is now the fuel behind Nexus’ 40%+ organic growth. Whether you’re an MSP founder thinking about your next chapter, or a leader navigating scale in a crowded market, this episode reveals what’s possible when you stop chasing transactions and start building something bigger.

This isn’t your average IT conversation. It’s a masterclass in building a movement.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Meet Earl Foote: CEO of Nexus IT and creator of a people-first tech culture

[00:02:00] – Why Nexus only hires growth-minded, mission-aligned people

[00:04:00] – The philosophy behind building a world-class team environment

[00:06:00] – From dropping out to play music… to building a multimillion-dollar firm

[00:10:00] – Creativity as a competitive edge in business

[00:14:00] – How an e-commerce experiment led to a cybersecurity empire

[00:20:00] – Inside Nexus’ non-dilutive growth strategy (and 8 MSP acquisitions)

[00:23:00] – Why Earl is the acquirer founders actually want to work with

[00:29:00] – What’s the endgame? Earl’s long-term vision for Nexus and legacy

[00:33:00] – What “world-class service” really looks like—and how Nexus measures it

[00:38:00] – Red flags to avoid when choosing an MSP partner

[00:41:00] – How to connect with Earl (and maybe even jam on guitars in Salt Lake)

[00:42:00] – One small moment that changed everything: surviving a major fraud event

Mentioned Resources

• Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• Nexus IT Growth & M&A Insights
• Eddie Van Halen and Frankenstrat
• The Five Dimensions of Vitality by Michael J. Fischer

About the Guest

Earl Foote is the founder and CEO of Nexus IT Consultants, a nationally recognized cybersecurity and IT firm that has scaled through purpose-driven leadership and intentional culture. With over 25 years of experience, Earl is known for bringing art and humanity into the tech world, serving high-compliance industries with world-class service while building an award-winning company people love working for.

🔗 LinkedIn 📧 Email 🌐 Website

Important Links

• Follow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544
• Book a call with us: DBD Investment Bank

Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. and Podcast Your Brand. Production and...