From Front Room Start-Up to Businessman of the Year: How Jason Built One of Kent's Top Cybersecurity Firms

The Early Years…

Q: Who inspired you to take the leap and start your own business?
A: No one gave me a big speech or laid out a roadmap - but a friend did plant the seed. The real push came from within. I just knew I couldn’t keep following someone else’s version of “good enough.” I wanted to build something that actually helped people, that delivered on its promises, and that I could be proud of. I wasn’t chasing money - I was chasing freedom, purpose, and the chance to do things properly. That belief was stronger than the fear, so I took the leap. Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made.

Q: How did the business come about?
A: I started Munio - originally called Computer Rescue - over 20 years ago as a one-man band with a laptop, a mobile phone, and a boot full of cables. No investors, no formal business training, no idea what a “business plan” looked like. Just a stubborn work ethic and a belief that I could do it better.

I wasn’t interested in building a flashy tech company. I just wanted to give people proper support, talk to them like humans, and solve problems properly. That meant learning everything the hard way: sales, service, hiring, firing, tax, contracts - all of it. I’ve worn every hat in this business. I’ve made mistakes, hit walls, nearly burned out more times than I can count. But I kept showing up.

Over time, I built a reputation, grew the team, and levelled up the services. These days, we’re not just another IT company. We’re a proper cybersecurity outfit - helping businesses stay safe, stay online, and stay compliant in a world that’s getting riskier by the day.

I’ve now got an incredible team behind me. They genuinely care about our clients and take pride in the work - and that’s what keeps me going. We’re not perfect, but we give a damn. And that’s always been the point.

Q: Take us back to your childhood - were there early signs that you’d one day become an entrepreneur?
A: I wouldn’t say I was a born entrepreneur. I wasn’t hustling or trying to make money as a kid. But even then, I knew I wanted to provide for my family on my own terms. I didn’t want to rely on anyone else - not for money, not for security, not for direction. That mindset stuck with me. I’ve always wanted to build something that gave me control over my future.

Q: What was your first-ever job, and what did it teach you?
A: I was a chef at KFC - not exactly glamorous, but it taught me a lot. Mainly: how to graft, how to work under pressure, and how important it is to get things right quickly. You’re on your feet all day, orders flying in, oil spitting everywhere - it’s chaos. But it showed me early on that hard work and teamwork matter, no matter what the job is.

Q: Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realise you wanted to work for yourself?
A: Yes - it was when I realised I cared more about doing things properly and making sure people weren’t being ripped off. In IT, that happens far too often - clients paying over the odds and getting poor service in return. I remember thinking, if I’m going to be up at night worrying about doing a good job, it might as well be for my own business, not someone else’s. That was the moment it clicked.

Q: Tell us the story of how your business idea first came about - was it a slow build or a lightning bolt moment?
A: It was definitely a slow burn. I was working in sales recruitment, but somehow ended up being the go-to guy for all things IT - fixing things, setting up systems, solving problems no one else wanted to touch. One day, a friend looked at me and said, “You should just start your own IT business.” That planted the seed.

I came home and told my wife I was going to quit my job and start an IT company. Her response? “OK - but you need to earn at least £1,000 a month to cover the bills. If you can do that, you’ve got my full support.” That was all I needed. Challenge accepted - and off I went.

Q: Did you have to secure initial funding to start your business or was it bootstrapped?
A: Bootstrapped, 100%. No loans, no outside investment - just me, my laptop, an old second-hand car, and a willingness to grind. Pretty much every bit of cash went back into the business. It was tough going at times, but it forced me to be self-sufficient from day one.

Q: What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting out?
A: Trust and cash flow. Convincing a business to hand over their IT to a guy working from a dining room table wasn’t easy. I had to prove myself, client by client, job by job. And without a financial cushion, every month was a balancing act. But pressure sharpens you - and I got very good, very quickly, because I had no choice.

About The Business…

Q: What does your company Munio do?
A: Munio is an IT support and cybersecurity company based in Kent. We work with small to mid-sized UK businesses that need proper protection and fast, reliable IT support. From day-to-day tech headaches to forensic-level cyber defence, we handle it all under one roof. Our clients rely on us not just to fix things - but to stop issues before they happen.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for the business?
A: It wasn’t born from some lightbulb moment - it came from frustration. I was working in IT and kept seeing businesses let down by slow response times, poor communication, or “off-the-shelf” solutions that didn’t actually solve anything. I thought, “Surely this can be done better?” That turned into a one-man operation and eventually grew into Munio.

Q: What’s the story behind your business name?
A: We used to be called Computer Rescue - very Ronseal. But as we evolved into a full-scale cybersecurity and IT provider, we needed a name that reflected what we actually stood for. Munio is Latin for “to protect” or “to fortify” - which fits us perfectly. We’re here to protect businesses, to be their shield, and the name had to reflect that.

Q: What was your very first product or service, and how has it evolved?
A: The first service was simple: someone’s PC broke, I fixed it. No contracts, no fancy tools - just quick response, honest advice, and problem-solving. Over time, I realised businesses needed more than just fixing what’s broken - they needed strategy, protection, and prevention. Now, we offer fully managed IT and advanced cybersecurity, including 24/7 threat detection and compliance support. It’s a totally different beast.

Q: What are your short-term goals for the business?
A: Right now, it’s all about growth - but the right kind. We’re focusing on bringing in more clients who actually value security, fast support, and doing things properly. We’re tightening up our internal systems, building out the team, and making sure our service keeps improving as we scale. We’re not chasing volume - we’re chasing quality.

Q: What’s your vision or plan for the future of your business?
A: To become the most trusted cybersecurity-first MSP for small and mid-sized businesses throughout Kent and across the UK. I want Munio to be the name that comes up when a business owner says, “We can’t afford to mess around with IT and security anymore.” Long term, I’d love to build out productised services that deliver serious value and set a new standard for SME protection.

Q: How do you see your industry evolving, and how are you preparing for it?
A: The line between IT support and cybersecurity is vanishing - and that’s a good thing. Businesses no longer just need someone to fix their email; they need full protection, compliance, and a proactive partner. We’re already moving in that direction: 24/7 threat monitoring, compliance frameworks, incident response - we’re ahead of where most MSPs will need to be in a few years.

Q: How do you see AI shaping the future of your industry, and how will you adapt?
A: AI is already changing the game. Cybercriminals are using it to create more convincing scams and automate attacks - but we’re using it too.

AI helps us spot threats faster, flag suspicious behaviour, and reduce the time between detection and response. We’re not afraid of it - we’re adapting and baking it into how we work. The key is to stay hands-on, curious, and never get complacent.

Team and Culture…

Q: How would you describe your leadership style?
A: I’d call it direct but fair. I’m not a shouter, and I hate micromanaging - but I’m clear on expectations. I give people the space to get on with their job, but they know I’ve got their back when it matters. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes over the years, so I lead by example - own it when things go wrong, and always give credit where it’s due.

Q: What qualities do you look for when hiring team members?
A: Attitude is everything. Skills can be taught - but if someone doesn’t care, or thinks they’re above the basics, it’s never going to work. I look for people who genuinely give a damn. People who take pride in what they do, communicate well, and want to get better. If they’ve got that, we can build the rest.

Q: How do you foster a positive company culture?
A: No egos, no politics, no nonsense. We keep it simple: do great work, look out for each other, and don’t be an idiot. That mindset starts with me. We celebrate wins, learn from mistakes, and make sure people feel seen and appreciated. It’s not about beanbags and gimmicks - it’s about trust, respect, and a shared sense of pride in what we do.

Q: How do you encourage professional growth among your employees?
A: We’ve built a culture where learning and improving is the norm. Whether that’s technical training, industry certifications, or throwing someone into a new challenge with support behind them. I want the team to grow with the business. If someone’s hungry to develop, I’ll back them all the way. We’re not some giant corporate - we can move fast and tailor growth paths around the individual.

 Life In Kent…

Q: How has being based in Kent helped your business?
A: Being based in Kent has been a huge advantage. It’s close enough to London to access big opportunities, but grounded enough to build real relationships with local businesses.

A lot of our growth has come through word of mouth - and that only happens in a place where trust and reputation matter. Kent’s full of ambitious, forward-thinking businesses that want to do things properly, and that’s exactly who we’re built to support.

Q: What’s your favourite local spot in Kent?
A: Hard to pick just one, but I love a good walk down by the coast - Whitstable or Deal on a clear day is hard to beat. You can’t beat a cold pint by the sea after a long week.

Outside of Work…

Q: What’s a hobby or interest you pursue outside of work?
A: Golf is the main one - I’m always trying to improve my swing (still a work in progress). I’ve also got a bit of an obsession with tech and gadgets, even outside of work. And lately, I’ve been making more time for the gym - not because I love it, but because I know I need it.

Q: How do you manage the balance between running your business and personal responsibilities?
A: I’m not sure there is a perfect balance - some days the business wins, other days life has to come first. I’ve learned the hard way not to run myself into the ground. I’ve got a great team now, which helps massively, and I try to protect my time better than I used to.

Q: What motivates you to keep going during the tough days?
A: Knowing that people rely on us. Clients trust us to keep them secure, and my team trusts me to keep the business moving. That and stubbornness - I’ve come too far to throw in the towel when things get hard. A quick reset, a bit of perspective, and I’m back at it.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
A: I used to want to be a fighter pilot - Top Gun had a lot to answer for. These days, I settle for trying to fix things before they crash.

Special Offer for Kent Businesses…

If you’re a Kent-based business and you’re worried about cybersecurity (or not sure how exposed you really are), we’re offering a free Cyber Risk Snapshot. It’s a quick, no-jargon check-up that shows where your biggest vulnerabilities are - and what you can do about them. No strings, no pressure - just clarity.
Just mention the Kent Business Newsletter when you get in touch.

💬 Closing Thoughts

Jason’s journey from fixing computers out of his boot to being named Businessman of the Year is seriously impressive. He’s never chased quick wins or flashy titles. He’s just always cared about doing things properly and looking after people.

What makes Munio different is that it’s got Jason’s fingerprints all over it. He’s put in the graft, learnt the hard bits, built a team that genuinely cares - and stayed true to what he set out to do from day one. That’s exactly why so many trust him.

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