THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

Paychex, Inc.
  • 4.9 (12)
  • Management
  • Updated Semiweekly

Designed for those who crave the inside scoop on everything from people to policy to profits, each THRIVE episode transforms complex business and HR topics into clear, actionable advice. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or an aspiring leader, this podcast is your go-to source for cutting through the noise and gaining a competitive advantage.

  1. 4d ago

    Optimism Wanes but SMB Health Solid, Burnout on Rise, States Step Up AI Laws

    The construction sector takes the least of a hit on the National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Optimism Index, while retail suffers worst decline. Add that to a Glassdoor survey reporting that employee confidence is at record lows and burnout is on the rise, and it’s no wonder that owners rate the financial health of their small businesses at good to excellent. Wait, what? Host Gene Marks explains why this might be happening. There also are new AI laws in a handful of states creating additional compliance complexities, especially around AI-driven employment decisions and discrimination risks. Listen to the podcast.   Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:19 – Optimism Declines Again 02:00 – Employee Confidence and Burnout 04:57 – State Step Up with AI Laws   06:43 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Register for AI webinar: https://bit.ly/ai-webinar-series DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

    8 min

  2. 6d ago

    Savannah Bananas Owner Jesse Cole: The $0 Marketing Strategy That Built a 35-Million-Follower Brand

    Jesse Cole built the Savannah Bananas into a 35-million-follower brand without spending a single dollar on marketing. His secret? Stop marketing. Start creating experiences people can't stop talking about. In this episode, the founder of Fans First Entertainment joins host Gene Marks to share the business philosophy behind one of the most unconventional success stories in sports. From how he hires to how he thinks about growth, Jesse's approach to business is as unorthodox as his team’s on-field antics. Simplify your business operations. Learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 01:13 – The mind behind the Savannah Bananas 05:13 – Why Jesse doesn't believe in work-life balance 06:44 – Working with your spouse 08:52 – The secret to a 15,000-person hiring waitlist 14:26 – Who inspires Jesse 17:05 – The importance of controlling the experience 20:35 – How the Savannah Bananas spend $0 on marketing 24:05 – Building something that outlasts you 26:21 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

    27 min

  3. May 28

    Profitability Falls 1.3%, Employees Expect Financial Guidance, AI Drives B2B Growth

    Small businesses always have challenges, but these days none is more damaging than the costs of doing business jacked up by inflation. Gene Marks, a small business owner himself, shares a few tips on how to manage the situation against the year-over-year profitability plunge of 1.3%. Financial pressures are hitting many, and a report found that 90% of employees would leave and seek out a company offering financial wellness resources as part of a benefits package. On a good note, some startups are using AI to solve practical business problems in the B2B space and drive growth.  Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:19 – Profitability Issues 03:34 – Financial Wellness Benefits 06:26 – Startups, AI, and Growth 08:25 – Episode Wrap-up   Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Small business and AI: https://bit.ly/ai-and-small-biz Register for AI webinar: https://bit.ly/ai-webinar-series DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

    10 min

  4. May 21

    Producer Price Index Worrisome, World Cup Pitch on Tipping, Claude SMB Training

    A sharp spike up to 6% for the Producer Price Index has podcast host Gene Marks expressing concern over the pending price hikes for goods for the remainder of 2026. He offers some suggestions to help employers and their employees. As the World Cup soccer tournament nears its start in North America, one U.S. host city’s restaurant group is proposing a mandatory tip percentage so staff don’t get stiffed by visitors from non-tipping cultures. And Anthropic launches Claude for Small Business, which Gene notes is a great way to help implement AI. Listen to the podcast.   Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:51 – Producer Price Index Spikes 03:50 – Tipping Proposal for World Cup Events 06:48 – AI Training by Claude for Small Business 09:24 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

    11 min

  5. May 19

    The World Cup Is Coming, Is Your Business Ready?

    Big events bring big opportunities, but the businesses that win are the ones who prepare. Host Gene Marks sits down with Connie Kinnard of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau to talk World Cup prep, small business strategy, and what it takes to turn a surge in visitors into lasting revenue. From optimizing your online presence to building the right relationships, the tips she shares here apply to any major event, anywhere. Take the conversation further with The 39-Day World Cup Playbook. It's your guide to staffing smart, managing overtime, and protecting your margins from kickoff to the final whistle: https://bit.ly/48Dpah4 Simplify your business operations. Learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 01:21 – Connie’s career path: From Nashville to Miami 04:08 – What a convention and visitors bureau does 06:47 – Training managers to support employers 08:16 – Preparing for the World Cup and other big events 12:01 – Online presence, search, and AI: How visitors find you 14:27 – Safety and security considerations for big events 16:08 – Tailoring marketing to international visitors 19:38 – How the World Cup differs from other major events 24:47 – Last-minute World Cup advice for local businesses 28:06 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

    29 min

  6. May 14

    Tariff Refunds, Hiring Is Steady, Financial Forecast on Agentic AI Commerce

    Businesses that paid illegal tariffs under the Emergency Economic Powers Act could get a windfall if they follow the process to request a refund. Host Gene Marks shares some tips to facilitate getting your money back. He also says the latest Paychex Small Business Employment Watch reveals that employers are being cautious about hiring but aren’t cutting back on the practice amid economic uncertainty. Optimism abounds in the agentic AI commerce arena, where experts forecast that it could drive more than one trillion dollars in U.S. retail in the next four years.  Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Tariff Refunds 04:13 – Small Business Employment Watch 05:46 – Agentic AI Commerce Forecast 09:29 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Paychex Small Business Employment Watch: https://bit.ly/paychex-sbew DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

    11 min

  7. May 7

    Employee Retirement Options, Fed’s Interest Rate Map, and Free SMB AI Training

    A new Executive Order from the White House aims to expand participation in retirement savings for lower-income workers, which brings supporters and critics. It also looks to connect these IRAs to the Saver’s Match for eligible recipients. Gene Marks highlights this in this episode of the Week in Review, along with a possible new course for the Federal Reserve to map out rate hikes that could impact funding options. Plus, national outlets such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring free AI training sessions to small businesses. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Executive Order on retirement accounts 04:38 – Federal Reserve maps out rate changes 07:59 – Free AI training being offered 10:15 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Free AI training: https://bit.ly/ai-training-for-free DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

    12 min

  8. May 5

    What Small Business Leaders Get Wrong About Workplace Mental Health: MHA VP Suzi Craig

    Is your team truly showing up or just going through the motions? Suzi Craig, VP of Workplace Mental Health at Mental Health America, joins host Gene Marks to uncover what small business leaders can improve when it comes to supporting their teams. From building a culture of trust and psychological safety to spotting struggling employees before they walk out the door, Suzi delivers actionable advice every business owner needs. Plus, hear why AI anxiety is the new workplace mental health crisis. Learn more about Mental Health America's resources and programs at mhanational.org Turn today’s insights into action. Here’s your step-by-step guide to building an employee wellness and mental health program: https://bit.ly/48Dpah4 Simplify your business operations. Learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 01:26 – Mental Health America overview 03:20 – Building a culture of trust 07:08 – Training managers to support employers 11:32 – Psychological safety: definition and origin 13:50 – Generational differences in workplace mental health 16:42 – Stop guessing: using employment input and data 19:15 – Hidden struggles of employees 21:10 – Having a plan around leave 23:34 – AI and technology anxiety 27:05 – Individual mental health strategies 31:18 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Designed for those who crave the inside scoop on everything from people to policy to profits, each THRIVE episode transforms complex business and HR topics into clear, actionable advice. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or an aspiring leader, this podcast is your go-to source for cutting through the noise and gaining a competitive advantage.

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