The Entrepreneur Who Took Grey County Global: Tom Bovington's IT Journey

TL;DR

In this episode (listen here) of the Rural Entrepreneur Podcast, Chris Herbert interviews Tom Bovington, founder and CEO of Infinity Network Solutions.

Tom shares his entrepreneurial journey from selling eggs as a kid to building a 29-person managed IT services firm in rural Ontario, serving clients across Canada and the U.S.

His story is one of confidence, creativity, and scaling a rural tech company to international success through relationship building and continuous learning.

Introduction

Tom Bovington, an entrepreneur based in Grey County, Ontario, reflects on nearly two decades of building Infinity Network Solutions, a Managed Services Provider (MSP) that began as a solo venture and now supports clients nationwide.

From solving dial-up issues in high school to navigating cybersecurity and cloud challenges today, Tom exemplifies the resilience and adaptability required to grow a tech business from rural roots.

Key Insights & Takeaways

From Eggs to Ethernet: Early Entrepreneurial Drive

• Tom's first taste of entrepreneurship came early. He grew up on a farm, selling eggs to his teachers in grade school.

  
  

• He gained valuable IT experience through high school co-ops and founded his company after noticing a lack of consistent IT support in Grey Bruce.

  
  

Building a Rural MSP

• Infinity Network Solutions was founded in 2004. Tom started out of a van providing on-site support, relying heavily on word-of-mouth referrals.

  
  

• Today, the company employs 29 staff members and serves clients across Canada and parts of the U.S. Their model ensures clients are always within one hour of a technician.

  
  

Innovation for Underserved Markets

• Tom developed creative solutions to address the challenges of poor rural internet. He once humorously described them as “redneck IT” when collaborating with urban peers.

  
  

• His emphasis on cost-effective and scalable tech solutions is tailored to the unique constraints faced by rural businesses.

  
  

COVID-19 and Hybrid Growth

• The pandemic catalyzed a shift to remote work for many businesses, including Infinity Network Solutions. This expanded Tom’s hiring pool significantly.

  
  

• While they lost the local cost-of-living advantage, adopting a hybrid model offered more flexibility and reach.

  
  

Tech Consolidation and AI's Rise

• Over the years, the company moved from open-source tools to standardized technology. This change improved their supportability and enhanced cybersecurity compliance.

  
  

• Tom identifies AI as both a transformative tool and a significant security challenge. He advocates for safe integration strategies, like Microsoft’s Co-pilot.

  
  

Community Involvement and Entrepreneurial Lessons

• Tom actively supports local nonprofits each year. As family demands lessen, he looks forward to increasing his community involvement.

  
  

• For aspiring entrepreneurs, he advises building relationships, maintaining confidence, and committing to continuous learning.

  
  

Notable Quotes

“We had to be more creative—rural clients don’t have the same bandwidth or budgets, so we find ways to make it work.”

“I wanted Infinity Network Solutions to be the go-to name in IT support. I think we’ve achieved that.”

“You’re part therapist, part tech—people come to us when things are broken. Trust is everything.”

“If I could go back, I’d tell myself to read more business books and build confidence sooner.”

The Future of Rural Entrepreneurship

Tom's journey highlights an exciting future for rural entrepreneurship. With technology primarily driving innovation, rural entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to leverage their local knowledge and networks.

The Importance of Networking

Building relationships is paramount. Networking extends beyond simple business contacts; it’s about forming genuine connections. Engaging with the community fosters collaboration and brings mutual benefits.

Embracing Technology for Growth

Adopting new technologies can create significant advantages. Rural entrepreneurs can compete on a global scale by utilizing cloud solutions and AI, as Tom demonstrates with his firm’s innovative strategy.

The Role of Education in Business

Education remains a crucial element of entrepreneurial success. Whether through formal education or self-directed learning, acquiring knowledge continuously propels business leaders forward. Tom emphasizes the importance of reading business books and expanding one’s horizons.

Listen to the Interview with Tom Bovington

Conclusion & Takeaways

Tom Bovington’s journey illustrates how a rural entrepreneur can scale an IT business to international levels. He emphasizes the importance of staying agile, focused, and people-centric.

His path from farm chores to nationwide tech leadership serves as a reminder of the power of confidence, adaptability, and community-rooted innovation.

About the Rural Entrepreneur Podcast Series

The Rural Entrepreneur Podcast Series explores the inspiring stories of business builders outside urban centers. Hosted by Chris Herbert, the series sheds light on how entrepreneurs navigate unique challenges, drive local impact, and scale beyond expectations. Interested in sponsoring or appearing on the podcast? Contact Chris here.