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Jake Spanberger took a measured risk in 2010 when he sold Entech's residential computer repair business.
Spanberger, president of the Fort Myers-based IT company, chose to let go of that business to focus on corporate accounts.
Of the 23 employees who Entech had in 2009, more than half were on the road fixing computers inside homes even though that part of the business accounted for just 20% of the firm's revenues. Yet dumping that revenue source wasn't easy, given the recession's end was nowhere in sight.
Turns out the move was prescient because Entech grew with its business customers in the recovery.
The lesson: Sometimes you have to take a step back and let go of some business to focus and grow bigger.
Entech is now growing again with the acquisition of United Systems Computer Group in Bradenton. Although Spanberger declines to cite revenues or the terms of the deal, he says United Systems sales are about 75% of Entech's.
United brings strengths to the combined teams, including expertise in the medical fields and cloud-based services. Both firms are top-rated by industry analysts for their IT management practices.
From a staffing standpoint, the acquisition with nearly double Entech's staff, to 29 people. United Systems CEO David Spire, a winner of the Business Observer's 40 under 40 award in 2007, will retain an ownership interest in the combined firms. Spire was named chief development officer and senior executive vice president.
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