Peer Groups That Grow Seven-Figure MSPs

When I first started my MSP, it often felt like I was on an island. We were grinding day after day, dealing with nightmare clients, struggling with sales and marketing, trying to hire the right people, and it felt like no one really understood what we were going through. Sound familiar?

As a company that now provides cloud services specifically for MSPs, I can tell you: those growing pains are universal. The difference between MSPs that stall and those that scale to seven figures often comes down to one thing: the right peer group.

Why I Joined a Peer Group

Years ago, when I was still running my MSP, there wasn’t the abundance of information and resources you see today. Podcasts, templates, marketing kits: they weren’t easy to find. We were learning everything the hard way! That’s when we decided to join a peer group.

We wanted to talk with people who were facing the same challenges, who could offer fresh perspectives, and (most importantly) who could help us avoid repeating their mistakes. It turned out to be one of the smartest decisions we ever made.

What Made It Work

The biggest eye-opener was realizing we weren’t alone. Every MSP in the group was facing the same hurdles: hiring, scaling, and systemizing! Just hearing that was powerful and gave us confidence and direction.

Our peer group was spread across the country, which was a huge advantage. No competition or secrecy, just honest conversations. We could share everything, like what worked and what didn’t, and we all learned faster because of it!

Each business was similar in size and ambition. We were all small but hungry to grow. That made the discussions incredibly relevant. Bigger MSPs have different challenges, so finding a group at your level is key.

How We Ran Our Meetings

We met once a month over video calls to stay connected and check in on each other’s progress. But the real breakthroughs happened during our quarterly in-person meetings. Every three months, we’d fly to a new city, meet face-to-face, and spend a few days digging into our businesses.

Those in-person sessions were gold. We built friendships, trust, and accountability. Once you trust your peers you stop holding back. and that’s when the best ideas surface!

We’d review numbers, discuss what worked and what didn’t, and even invite vendors to present new tools or services. And after the business sessions? We’d go out for dinner, hit Topgolf, or unwind in Vegas together. That mix of fun and focus built lasting relationships.

Lessons We Learned

Not all peer groups are created equal. Before finding the right one, we joined a few that just didn’t work. Here’s what I learned MSPs should look for:

• Consistency. Meet regularly (monthly and quarterly) and make it non-negotiable.
• Accountability. Be honest and push each other to improve.
• Trust. It takes time, but it’s essential. The best insights come when everyone feels safe to share openly.

It wasn’t easy or cheap. But it was one of the best investments we ever made. We even counted it as part of our marketing budget because, in many ways, it was! It helped us grow, refine our messaging, and build real-world strategies that brought in more business.

The Results

Over time, the impact was undeniable. We built lasting friendships and professional relationships that paid off: literally. If a client needed help in another state, we could call someone in our peer group to handle it confidently.

Even more valuable than revenue, though, was the knowledge we gained. Our decision-making got sharper, our systems stronger, and our growth faster than if we’d gone it alone. Without question, being in that peer group helped us build our seven-figure MSP.

My Advice to MSPs

If you’re wondering whether to join a peer group, my answer is simple: yes! It might take time to find the right one, but when you do, it can change everything.

Can’t afford it? Think of it as an investment in your business. You won’t see a direct one-to-one return, but the wisdom and perspective you’ll gain are priceless. You’ll make better decisions faster and avoid costly mistakes.

The Bottom Line

You can’t scale in isolation. The smartest move you can make right now whether you’re stuck, stalled, or scaling is to surround yourself with people who’ve already figured out the challenges you’re facing. Because let’s face it, no one wins alone!

Before you go, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

“You become who you spend time with. So go spend time with people who push you, support you, and help you level up.” — Tony Robbins

Have a great week and weekend!