Episode Details

Recorded on‑site at the Elliott Park Hotel during ACES 2026, this conversation kicks off with a quick behind‑the‑scenes look at the venue, the vibe, and why this Apple‑centric event cares more about P&L than power users. I walk through how ACES is structured as a business‑first conference for Apple IT providers, covering topics like pricing, marketing, HR, scaling, and work‑life balance, with zero tool pitches from the stage and everything bundled into a focused two‑day experience.

Then I catch up with Brian Best from Best Mac, who has attended and spoken at all twelve ACES events, and we get into the real talk about running a Mac‑focused MSP in a Windows‑dominated world. Brian shares how the Apple side of the channel is mostly small to mid‑sized MSPs, how his own M&A experience with LogicNow and SolarWinds reshaped his business, and why co‑managed Apple support is a powerful play for Windows‑first MSPs serving mixed environments.

Chapters

• 00:17 ACES Conference Intro
• 02:01 What ACES Is
• 04:37 Conference Venue Tour
• 06:50 Reconnecting With Brian Best
• 08:22 Why ACES Matters
• 12:00 SolarWinds Deal Backstory
• 14:54 Windows And Mac Blend
• 15:54 Getting Mac Help

=== Guest: Brian Best

• Company: BestMacs – IT support for Apple-powered businesses
• Website: https://bestmacs.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-j-best

=== Shout-outs

• Justin Escar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinesgar
• Eric Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esanthony/

=== Companies / Vendors / Products / Books

• ACES Conference: https://acesconf.com/
• All Things MSP (podcast / community): https://www.facebook.com/allthingsmsp
• The Brit (pub in Minneapolis – likely “Brit’s Pub”): https://www.britspub.com
• Elliott Park Hotel: https://www.elliottparkhotel.com
• Macworld Expo: https://www.macworld.com
• N-able: https://www.n-able.com

=== SPONSORS: 

• Livestream Partner, ThreatLocker: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/threatlocker
• Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/
• Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoip
• Travel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugrid
• Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready

=== SHOW MUSIC: 

• Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo 
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET