Top 3 Marcia O'Connor

Steph McClure, an HR Partner at The O’Connor Group, recently had a compelling conversation with Leslie Slingsby, of Mission Kids, on the Top 3 podcast. The focus was on Mission Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding child abuse victims. Mission Kids provides vital services: forensic interviewing, therapy, and family advocacy, aiding victims of different ages.



Leslie outlined the pivotal role of advocates, paid staff supporting families throughout the complex legal process. Stressing the need for community involvement, Leslie highlighted various ways The O’Connor Group can contribute: volunteering, joining committees or the board, and supporting prevention education programs like Roar, aimed at schools.



The discussion unfolded into the topic of the Young Professionals Board, inviting a new generation to guide Mission Kids' philanthropic endeavors. Additionally, Leslie mentioned how donations, including snacks, teddy bears, and art supplies, play a significant role in supporting their cause. The conversation concluded with a reminder that Mission Kids' success stems from community support and a call for further involvement to protect and heal abused children.

Marcia O'Connor is back with another installment of the Top 3 Podcast. In this episode, Marcia speaks with Ashley Carroll, the Chief Operating Officer at Momentum Accounting. Ashley shares her entrepreneurial journey and reveals her mission to transform the world of accounting. 



Ashley emphasizes the importance of connecting with your team members, empowering them to have a say in decision-making, and recognizing them as individuals. She also emphasizes the value of providing employees with genuine, meaningful time off, promoting work-life balance.



Additionally, Ashley shares how her firm has implemented the concept of having backup team members, ensuring that employees can take vacations without worrying about work piling up. This concept has transformed the work-life balance for her team, enabling them to come back from vacations refreshed and ready to deliver excellent results.



Ashley also delves into her plans for the future, both for Momentum Accounting and her own venture, Operations House, which offers organizational and leadership development services. She highlights the importance of staying true to your vision and values when starting a business.

In this episode of "Top Three”, Marcia O'Connor, CEO and founder of The O'Connor Group, sat down with Theresa Stockdale, the founder of Stockdale Consulting, to delve into the world of virtual communication and confidence building. Based in Pennsylvania, Stockdale Consulting focuses on helping professionals present themselves authentically and confidently in virtual meetings, a skill increasingly vital in today's digital age.

Theresa shared her inspiring journey, emphasizing the importance of finding joy in one's work and the courage to venture into entrepreneurship. As they discussed the challenges faced by professionals, especially in virtual settings, Theresa highlighted the significance of simple yet impactful gestures, like maintaining good posture and proper lighting during virtual meetings, to convey respect and confidence.

Theresa emphasized the need for individuals, including seasoned professionals and recent graduates, to adapt to the virtual communication landscape actively. They also discussed the impact of loneliness in the virtual world and the value of creating connections, not just professionally, but also as a source of emotional support among entrepreneurs.

In this episode of Top 3, Marcia O'Connor, CEO of the O'Connor Group, had a conversation with Chris Schalleur, CEO of Christo IT, a seasoned expert in the IT world with 24 years of experience. They discussed various aspects of entrepreneurship, including Chris's journey into the IT field, lessons learned from his father's entrepreneurial background, and the importance of core values in building a company culture.Chris shared his early exposure to entrepreneurship, growing up in a household where his father ran his own firm. This experience instilled in him the value of being a trusted advisor to clients, which became a cornerstone of his career. They delved into the challenges and mistakes Chris encountered during his entrepreneurial journey. One major lesson learned was the importance of clearly defining and implementing core values within the organization. Chris admitted that his company initially had core values but did not actively incorporate them into their hiring and decision-making processes. He encouraged entrepreneurs to start with stories that resonate with their company's culture when developing core values.The conversation shifted to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in small businesses. Chris stressed the need to thoroughly understand the financials of the businesses being acquired and the importance of having a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the deal. He shared a cautionary tale from his experience during 2009, emphasizing the importance of solid financial processes and procedures.Discussing cybersecurity and IT services, Chris emphasized the growing importance of cybersecurity insurance. He advised entrepreneurs to consult with insurance agents to understand their cybersecurity insurance requirements and premiums. Chris also highlighted the evolving nature of the IT industry, where efficiency and communication have become key drivers, especially in the context of remote work.In conclusion, the conversation offered valuable insights for entrepreneurs, from the significance of core values and M&A considerations to the ever-evolving landscape of IT services and cybersecurity. Chris Schalleur's journey and expertise serve as valuable lessons for those navigating the entrepreneurial path.

In the latest episode of "Top Three", Marcia O'Connor introduces Mike Jamgochian, a CPA with his own firm specializing in proactive accounting and consulting. Mike shares his journey from working at a large national firm to starting his own practice. He discusses the importance of proactive accounting, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurs to stay ahead of financial matters rather than reacting to them.



Mike's firm focuses on more than just tax returns; they provide comprehensive financial planning and analysis (FP&A). He stresses the importance of keeping financial records up-to-date in real time, allowing for better strategic planning. Mike highlights the need for entrepreneurs to have a deep understanding of their business's financial health, especially when it comes to profitability in different areas of their operations.



Mike encourages business owners to demand more from their financial professionals, emphasizing the value of hiring experts who can save them money and help them grow. In a practical example, Mike discusses how his firm helped an HVAC company undergoing a transition. They revamped the business's accounting systems and analyzed profitability in different areas, leading to a complete overhaul of the company's pricing strategy. He underscores the significance of strategic financial analysis for business growth and profitability.



As entrepreneurship continues to thrive, Mike advises aspiring entrepreneurs to seek professional assistance early on to navigate the complexities of taxes and financial planning. He emphasizes that understanding and managing your financial situation is crucial for the success of any business, and he invites entrepreneurs to reach out to him for guidance and support.

In this episode of Top 3, Marcia O'Connor introduces Jason Roy, a partner at Prime Benefit Solutions, who discusses the secrets and mistakes of entrepreneurs in the realm of employee benefits. This episode highlights their conversation on strategies for acquiring and retaining talented employees through benefit offerings.

Roy shares his journey and his transition into the insurance business, particularly focusing on Medicare and group health. He emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of industry shifts and recognizing pain points within group insurance, especially as larger insurance companies withdraw from the market. The episode delves into various innovative benefit strategies for companies, touching on topics like self-funded plans, medical bonuses, flexible savings accounts, and financial wellness coaching. Roy emphasizes the significance of regularly surveying employees to align benefit offerings with their needs, a strategy that can improve retention and overall satisfaction.

The episode also touches on emerging employee benefits trends, such as menopause leave, the four-day workweek, and workplace boundaries. These trends reflect a changing landscape where companies are thinking creatively about how to support their employees beyond traditional medical and dental benefits. Additionally, Roy provides insights into life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans, and other benefits that can greatly impact employee satisfaction.

Overall, the episode sheds light on the evolving world of employee benefits, showcasing how entrepreneurs like Jason Roy are helping businesses navigate these changes to create more supportive workplaces.