Let’s set the table. We both go back to the good old days. We’ve known each other 15+ years (it goes quick youngins) starting with the Windows Small Business Server era (SBS). Dale got involved with Voice over Internet Protocol ( VoIP) in early 2010. ”The business of being a Managed Services Provider (MSP) in the Small and Medium Business (SMB) space changes constantly so its good to be an entrepreneur.” Cooper shared.
Let’s talk VoIP – a Response Point giggle – may too soon for it’s time. First release of Response Point used POTS lines. The challenge in those days was that Kentucky didn’t have great broad band (the secret sauce was traffic shaping)
Final VoIP comment: Metered bandwidth in Australia hurt Response Point adoption.
Why did Dale join The 20?
I spoke with Dale at The 20 Vision conference in August 2026. He had attended one year prior (2025). “I sat there, and tried to be open-minded. The more I thought about what I heard, it just made a lot of sense. I joined two months later and my membership is making even more sense today with AI and such.”
Other advantages of The 20 is that Dale’s company with 30-employees is transitioning to some of the front-end stuff offered by The 20 such as the POD system: call centers, etc.
IMHO, The 20 is a community that behaves with some elements of a franchise etc. But it’s branding suggests Master MSP which makes sense. It’s kinda the sun in the universe.
Final word from Dale on The 20? The options they offer are all on your MSP side of the table.
PS: One of his offices is in Austin so howdy neighbor!