SMB Top 150? Thanks But You've Got the Wrong Influencer

SMB Top 150

As many readers know, the SMB Top 150 is organized by Harry Brelsford (publisher, SMB PC) and Jim Locke (President, SMBTN). I suspect there is a small amount of overlap between the SMB Top 150 and our own MSPmentor 250 global survey — which tracks the world’s top managed services experts, executives, entrepreneurs, coaches, community organizers, etc.

Reality Check

Thanks to whoever nominated me for the potential SMB Top 150 honor. But I need to bow out. I respectfully request that you all nominate my business partner instead — Nine Lives Media Inc. CEO Amy Katz. Here’s why.

Plenty of folks know that I seemingly blog and travel non-stop. But imagine a song writer without a stage. An actor without a producer. Or a blogger without a business platform upon which to stand.

During the worst economic recession in recent memory, Amy and I co-launched Nine Lives Media Inc. in January 2008 to (A) disrupt established IT media and (B) define emerging IT media. I had plenty of ideas. But Amy had her own ideas — plus the know-how to build, manage and grow a business. She’s essentially our CEO, CFO, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of sales all wrapped up in one person.

At a time when most media companies have been imploding (to put it politely), we’ve publicly stated that Nine Lives Media Inc. remains profitable, growing and debt-free. Some of that success involves my blogging, community and travel efforts. But I’m no fool. There’s a reason why Amy runs our SMB business.

So if you’re completing the SMB Top 150 survey, put the spotlight on Amy Katz, Co-founder and CEO of Nine Lives Media Inc., producer of MSPmentor, MSPtweet, The VAR Guy, VARtweet and WorksWithU. I challenge you to find a CEO who has launched and built a more well-respected media company over the past three years.

The MSPmentor 250

And if you’re in the managed services market, be sure to fill out our third-annual MSPmentor 250 survey. Our first- and second-annual MSPmentor 250 reports (the 2008 and 2009 editions, respectively) received hundreds of thousands of views. No doubt, the MSPmentor 250’s global readership will further expand when the third-annual report debuts in August 2010. The survey closes July 23, 2010.

Don’t miss out.

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