Going Beyond the Deal
Going Beyond the Deal
Podcast Description
Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts.
Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves.
Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success.
You'll hear from entrepreneurs, strategists, and top performers about the mindset, habits, and decisions that help businesses — and people — keep moving forward.
If you're getting ready to sell, raise capital, or just level up — you're in the right place.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes such as business growth strategies, personal development, and the intricacies of deal-making. Notable episode topics include succession planning in architecture and the vital role of accountants as trusted advisors, highlighting the importance of relationships and mental fitness in maintaining performance.
Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts.
Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves.
Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success.
You’ll hear from entrepreneurs, strategists, and top performers about the mindset, habits, and decisions that help businesses — and people — keep moving forward.
If you’re getting ready to sell, raise capital, or just level up — you’re in the right place.
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.
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 editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.