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.

[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

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

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.

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• 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...

What if your next business opportunity wasn’t about building from scratch, but building smarter?

In this conversation, Michael reconnects with longtime friend and franchise entrepreneur Jeff Silbert, co-founder of 10 Hand & Stone locations and regional developer for Moxie Salon. Jeff shares how he went from coding at Accenture to scaling membership-based wellness brands and why his sweet spot isn’t startups at zero, but businesses just past lift-off.

They talk about what makes a franchise model work, how to identify scalable opportunities, and why people, process, and passion are the core of every successful expansion. Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship, looking to scale a service business, or curious about entering the wellness space, this episode is full of lessons from the trenches of brand-building.

And if you’re wondering how to grow your business without burning out? This one’s a masterclass in doing it the right way with clarity, conviction, and a tight inner circle.

[00:00] – Meet Jeff Silbert: Hand & Stone co-founder and Moxie regional developer

[00:01:20] – From Accenture to entrepreneurship: Jeff’s early path to business ownership

[00:03:14] – Why he doesn’t like “idea-stage” businesses and what gets him excited instead

[00:05:00] – The power of the membership model: funnel thinking, retention, and revenue stability

[00:07:00] – Balancing the franchise playbook with entrepreneurial creativity

[00:08:45] – Why great franchisees are coachable and aligned with the brand’s vision

[00:11:32] – Can the average person really enter the franchise world? Here’s how.

[00:14:00] – Why Jeff and his brother diversified into Moxie after 10 Hand & Stone locations

[00:17:00] – Moxie’s team-based salon model and how it flips the stylist/client dynamic

[00:20:00] – Building culture without relying on individual “star” stylists

[00:23:00] – The dig in the neighborhood: why the wellness space is bigger than business

[00:25:00] – What COVID taught them and how loyal members saved the business

[00:27:00] – How Jeff maintains vitality: people, boundaries, and the power of EO

[00:33:34] – The moment that changed everything: investing in long-term friendships

[00:36:14] – Thinking about a franchise? Jeff shares who Moxie is looking for

• Moxie Salons & Beauty Bars
• Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
• Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• P90X by Tony Horton
• Danny Meyer’s book Setting the Table (on hospitality leadership)
• 
  

Jeff Silbert is a seasoned franchise operator and business builder. As co-founder of 10 Hand & Stone

What if the secret to long-term success isn’t about who you can work with but who you refuse to?

In this candid solo episode, Michael J. Fischer breaks down a principle that’s shaped both his personal and professional life: The No Asshole Rule. From his early years as a “baby banker” grinding through endless networking events to his current role as Managing Director at DBD Investment Bank, Michael shares how saying no to misaligned clients, partners, and even bosses became the key to protecting his energy and integrity.

You’ll hear what happens when you chase every deal out of desperation, why gut instincts are your most underused business tool, and how real success starts with one simple rule—only work with people whose values match yours.

If you’ve ever felt drained by the wrong client, team, or deal, this episode is your reminder that boundaries aren’t arrogance; they’re leadership.

[00:00] – What “Going Beyond the Deal” really means for Michael Fischer

[00:01:00] – Introducing the No Asshole Rule and why it changed everything

[00:01:45] – The early days as a “baby banker” with a $3.5M goal and no filter

[00:03:00] – Thousands of handshakes, thousands of business cards, and total burnout

[00:04:00] – The annual reset that sparks every rainmaker’s anxiety

[00:05:00] – The heavy cost of saying yes to misaligned clients

[00:06:00] – Trust your gut: why your first impression is usually right

[00:07:00] – Red flags to watch for and the “Would I invite them to dinner?” test

[00:08:00] – What happens when alignment meets energy—it’s magical

[00:08:45] – Saying no doesn’t make you rude—it makes you a leader

[00:09:10] – A look ahead: The Five Dimensions of Vitality and why protecting your circle matters

• The Five Dimensions of Vitality (upcoming book by Michael J. Fischer)

• Follow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544
• Book a call with us: https://rebrand.ly/dbd-investment-47fca2

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