THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

Step onto the floor of the AICPA Engage 2025 conference in Las Vegas with THRIVE! On this special best-of episode, host Gene Marks chats with accounting’s brightest minds, uncovering insights on AI, change management, recruiting, and the future of the profession. From Mark Koziel’s take on why AI won’t replace accountants to Sabrina Parris’ surprising connection between beekeeping and bookkeeping, this episode is your backstage pas...

As consumer confidence backslides in June, surprising analysts whose projections were more positive, businesses should plan for a potential pause in purchasing. Tariffs and inflation fears are hitting Main Street. Gene Marks points to the steady job growth reported in the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch during the first half of 2025 as a plus but wage growth lags behind inflation. A new cyber threat involves employee handbo...

As the Federal Reserve holds steady on the key bank lending rate, host Gene Marks says businesses might take wind with the hint that the interest rate might be cut two more times in 2025, making funding more accessible. Small businesses might soon have more accessibility to more talent, as big companies are looking at making labor cuts. The local economy might take a hit with job cuts, but it does ease labor pressures for some. Als...

Consumers are less pessimistic about inflation, down from its four-decade high last month. Experts say consumers have settled in after shock of tariffs. In more good news, housing market inventory rises 31.5%, giving other industries and small businesses that rely on vibrant neighborhoods some hope that there is a positive path forward. Gene Marks also shares news about the injuries to first-year employees and stresses the need for...

What does it take to build a global real estate empire while staying true to your values? Mauricio Umansky, TV personality and CEO of The Agency, joins us with 29 years of industry expertise and some serious insights into the world of ultra-luxury real estate. From starting out in fashion to leading a global team of 3,000 agents, Mauricio discusses what makes a great salesperson, how to nurture talent, and why "no jerks" is rule nu...

A handful of reports on small businesses shows an optimism toward expansion and AI tools, but that sentiment is guarded by flat job growth, declining hourly wage growth, and 82% of those surveyed planning on securing a line of credit. One positive from the tax and spending bill is proposed changes to HSAs that expand coverage, which could help participation and recruitment. And it’s DOGE 1, SCORE 0: The federal agency cuts funding ...

The U.S. Senate might have a battle to get all president’s requests in tax and spending cut bill as opposition forms in the GOP over the massive deficit it will create. Gene Marks agrees that there will be a price to pay. There’s also a movement to eliminate requiring some degrees for jobs, with 84% who have done so acknowledging positive results. The SBA launches portal to connect manufacturers and suppliers with businesses seekin...

Searching for fresh ways to grow your accounting practice or wondering how your CPA could better support your business? Don’t miss Gene’s conversation with one of his accounting idols, Joe Woodard. They explore how Client Advisory Services (CAS) can help accountants level up, boost their profits, and serve their clients in more meaningful ways. You’ll get practical tips for pricing your services, creating service packages that make...

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the tax and spending bill by one vote, but small businesses could gain a few positives if some of the provisions survive the Senate debate and reconciliation should it pass that chamber of Congress. Gene Marks highlights the proposed changes to bonus depreciation, the pass-through tax deduction, and revisions to research and development costs as potential wins for small businesses, and he sa...

This episode was recorded prior to the House passing the Big Beautiful Tax Bill on May 22, 2025.

Gene Marks shares insights on the Big Beautiful Tax Bill and on the importance of keeping the tax credits for small businesses. That might lift their spirits but, according to the Small Business Optimism Index, not much else is rosy. Sales volumes are down, plans for capital outlay are down, and that has optimism down for a fourth mont...

This week’s guest, employment law expert Ben Ebbink of Fisher Phillips, tackles your biggest questions about President Trump’s first 100 days head-on. Wondering if your DEI policies are still compliant? Not sure how executive orders will affect hiring and workplace rules? Curious how state laws come into play? Ben breaks down the red flags, offers practical compliance tips, and clarifies what’s actually changed for employers in lig...

The U.S. and China begin the tariff walk-back dance that will last for 90 days, giving businesses time to make alternative plans. Gene Marks says those doing business with China will have to make plans because he doesn’t expect the volatility being created to clear up soon. Additional relief is coming for businesses who use independent contractors, as Gene explains that the USDOL will stop enforcing the 2024 Independent Contractor ...

The number of federal Executive Orders issued by the president since Jan. 20 has created confusion for some business owners. Host Gene Marks moderated a webinar that produced additional questions from attendees, so he’s using this episode of the podcast to offer clarification as well as his own take around the EOs on DEI. He talks about job postings, preferred gender pronouns on websites and in other company communications, “gender...

What do Barstool Sports and Food52 have in common? Visionary leadership, incredible growth, and today’s podcast guest, Erika Ayers Badan. After nearly a decade as the CEO of Barstool Sports, turning it into a cultural juggernaut, Erika has taken the reins at Food52, where she’s bringing her passion for design, food, and empowering women to the forefront. Tune in as Erika talks managing young teams, shaping resilient work cultures, ...

As the president begins to walk back on some of the tariffs with China, Gene Marks says what will remain after negotiations are still significantly high percentage rates on goods coming in from China, which will still impact many U.S. businesses. He also shares insights from economists looking at interest rates and how a risk of recession and lost jobs caused by tariffs might push the Federal Reserve to nudge the rates down. And fo...

Tariffs are a major concern for some major industries and confidence is waning, with 40% of contractors worried about slowdowns to profit margins and auto dealers seeing rapid sales declines. Gene Marks says negotiations between nations could resolve much of this, but China remains an issue. He also shares insights to work on culture and employee check-ins as more than half the nation showed up in a study as sufferers of “quiet cra...

Immigration compliance is a hot topic that businesses simply can’t afford to ignore. With increasing scrutiny from government agencies and hefty fines on the line, staying on top of your I-9s has never been more critical. This week on THRIVE, Gene sits down with John Fay, immigration attorney and director of Product Strategy at Equifax Workforce Solutions, to cut through the noise and break down exactly what business owners need to...

As the on-again, off-again, and then partial pause on tariffs dominate the news, Gene Marks level sets which ones are in effect and what businesses need to know moving forward. Also, as corporate bankruptcies hit their highest number since 2010, Gene points to a specific industry – trucking and logistics – and the ensuing layoffs that could tell us more about the economy than other data. And the Spotify CEO’s announcement on AI and...

U.S. Labor Department data shows job starts exceeding expectation in March, while the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch indicates job levels are consistent with previous months. Does this indicate a better outlook? Gene Marks talks about it in this episode, but also says the economy might be influenced by the 14% of employers who are decreasing salary offers and another 20% are scaling back on raises. Businesses with loans fr...