From Barbershop to Data Center
How Magnus Box Built a Reliable Backup Infrastructure
When Mike Slodowski launched Magnus Box in 2018, it wasn't with venture capital, a huge office, or a Silicon Valley backdrop. Instead, he started with a clear mission: to give Managed Service Providers (MSPs) a backup solution they could rely on—one that didn't break the bank or leave clients stranded when disaster struck.
What began as a side project soon became a full-time business. Today, Magnus Box supports over 250 MSPs and more than 4,200 devices around the world. But the road to that success didn't follow the typical startup playbook. In fact, the company's main data center is housed in one of the most unlikely places: a 40-year-old barbershop.
From Barbershop to Backup Hub
Mike's decision to transform a local barbershop into a data center was born out of necessity. The nearest commercial data center was in Detroit, two hours away, and Mike knew he needed to be close to his infrastructure. So, when the opportunity came to purchase the old shop just 15 minutes from his home, he seized it.
Key Advantage: The location sat right next to a major regional ISP, giving Magnus Box access to dedicated fiber connectivity. The space itself wasn't built for servers, but with the right upgrades, it became a fully functioning, compliant data center. This was proof that creativity and determination can solve problems that money alone often can't.
The Early Infrastructure Challenges
In its early years, Magnus Box relied on cloud storage providers. The model had attractive, low upfront costs, it was easy to scale, and there was no need to maintain physical infrastructure. But as Mike quickly learned, the convenience came with hidden risks.
The Breaking Point
"They (cloud provider) had a four-day outage, and it really hurts when you are trying to sell 99% uptime. Your customers depend on you, but when your cloud provider is out for four days, you can't give the service that you promised them."
Switching providers didn't solve the issue. Similar reliability problems cropped up elsewhere, making it clear that Magnus Box couldn't build its reputation on infrastructure that it didn't fully control.
The Software Integrator Attempt
That realization led to the company's first step into on-premises storage. Mike turned to a software integrator alternative, which at first seemed like a good balance: enterprise-grade software with external expertise to manage it. But the relief was short-lived.
Vendor Lock-in Problem: Midway through their contract, the provider changed its pricing model, shifting from per-drive fees to charging based on the total data available in the cluster.
"They (software integrator) kind of did the switch on us. If they raise their prices or you disagree, what do you do? You've got a petabyte of data sitting there. I don't just have a petabyte of storage lying around if I need to migrate."
The vendor lock-in problem was just as bad as the outages had been. Magnus Box needed a better way forward.
Finding the Right Partner
When the time came to expand again, Mike wasn't looking for another quick fix. He wanted a partner who would help design the right solution, one that gave Magnus Box full control without trapping them in unpredictable licensing fees or vendor lock-in.
Enter 45Drives
From the start, the experience felt different. Instead of pushing a pre-packaged product, the 45Drives team worked with Mike to design a custom petabyte-scale Ceph cluster fully-tailored to meet Magnus Box's needs.
"I feel like they actually listened to me when I had concerns or if I wanted something a little bit different. They really worked with me to make sure that it was going to be a good fit for what we needed."
Technical Benefits
Tightly integrated solution with single PO purchase with flexibility and security of an open source license, no vendor lock-in.
Support Excellence
24/7 North American-based support with real engineers ready to dive in remotely for quick issue resolution.
"It's nice that they were willing to go in and just dive right into it remotely and help us with diagnosing and fixing any issues."
Building on Reliability and Service
For Magnus Box, the move to a 45Drives-built storage cluster wasn't just about technology—it was about building a sustainable business. The new infrastructure gave them reliability, scalability, and cost predictability, allowing them to focus on what mattered most: supporting their MSP partners.
Business Philosophy
"Magnus Box can't compete on price for MSPs; we have to compete on our level of customer service. We don't call them customers, we call our MSPs partners."
Value Delivered: By providing turnkey backup solutions, Magnus Box helps MSPs focus on winning new clients and growing revenue, instead of worrying about backend infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
Today, Magnus Box operates multiple clusters, including some legacy systems that they are gradually phasing out alongside their preferred infrastructure, the 45Drives Ceph cluster. With each step forward, they are building a foundation where reliability and transparency form the backbone of their services.
The Transformation
What started in a converted barbershop has grown into a trusted backup platform serving MSPs around the world. By overcoming outages, breaking free from lock-in, and choosing the right infrastructure partner, Magnus Box has built more than just servers and storage; they have built lasting trust.
Magnus Box Team
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