THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

Businesses that got in on the front end of requesting refunds for illegal tariffs are better off than those applying now. Why? As host Gene Marks explains, the federal government filed an appeal that could make it more difficult. Additionally, certain contractors, including women- and veteran-owned ones, are finding opportunities to land government contracts reduced, according to a report that shows a reduction of $47 billion in in...

Every town has its big moment. A global tournament, a hometown festival, a parade that fills the streets. The question is whether your business is ready to grab it. Meg Kane, the host city executive behind Philadelphia's World Cup effort, joins Gene Marks with a practical playbook any business can run, anywhere. She shares how to lean into the energy, connect with the crowd, and land on vendor lists that organizers call again and a...

How’s the labor market? Depends on who you ask. Host Gene Marks highlights that in this week’s episode, pointing to the steady increase in job growth the past three months reported by the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch and the massive job gains released by the U.S. Department of Labor. Same? Gene says Paychex uses real-time data and the government’s report will be revised because it is based on surveys. T...

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...

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, Jes...

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 resource...

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 n...

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, anywh...

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 a...

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, nati...

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, ...

The pro-business aura of the current administration shouldn’t lull owners into a sense of invincibility, says Gene Marks, as he cites a major ruling by the Department of Labor against a restaurant in Oregon. Fines at the federal and state level can be financially devastating, plus misclassifying workers is a black eye on one’s reputation. The immigration crackdown hasn’t shorted the labor market nor has it produce...

With banks making money and reporting solid consumer spending and stable credit while several manufacturing reports indicate renewed momentum in the industry, there is a positive glow on the U.S. economy. However, host Gene Marks says that as much as this news is good, there is a growing voice around risk associated with energy prices, inflation, and credit balances, not to mention tariffs and unpredictable policy shifts that could...

Artificial intelligence is working for and against Gen Z, hindering their first job searches while also enabling them to manage workloads as they engage in polywork. Gene Marks looks at the latest trend of the new generation of workers, as well as what this eventually could mean for the labor market. In other news, cybercrime is costly – nearly $22 billion in losses in 2025, according to an FBI report. Gene suggests training ...

Think org charts are just boxes and lines? Think again. Gene Marks sits down with OrgChart CEO Tom McCarty to explore how a living, data-connected org chart can transform workforce planning, boost company valuation, support AI-readiness, and give employees a clear path forward. From 30-person shops to enterprise teams, this conversation will make you rethink how you manage your most valuable asset.

Check out OrgChart and more trust...

Job growth and wage growth have cooled, according to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch and even Homebase, but the overarching theme is that small businesses continue to be resilient in an ever-changing landscape. Gene Marks points out that businesses are being more selective when hiring and cutting costs rather than jobs. In other news, lawsuits around accessibility – mainly concerning websites – under the Ame...

With the many challenges small business owners face on a regular basis, add forgoing pay for themselves. A survey by Bluevine found that 3 in 10 have invoice problems that cause cashflow issues that result in them not paying themselves. Host Gene Marks offers four tips on how to address the problem. In the tech startup world, funding might get a little easier with Congress voting to free up billions in grants. Speaking of easier, A...

Small business owners are feeling cautiously hopeful, but far from settled. In this episode of THRIVE, host Gene Marks sits down with Holly Wade and Peter Hansen from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) to break down what their three signature indexes — Optimism, Uncertainty, and Employment — are really telling us about small business in 2026. From interest rates to federal policy shifts, find out w...

A new Mercer survey finds that only 54% of U.S. employers are ready to comply with pay transparency regulations, while host Gene Marks says it’s a smart business practice, whether or not your state requires it. A 1-800Accountant survey reveals that 57% of small business owners admit to questionable tax deductions, with complexity, not intent, being the real culprit. And while a Goldman Sachs study shows most small businesses ...