THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

On this week's episode of the Paychex THRIVE Week in Review, host Gene Marks dives into the ongoing government shutdown and its profound impact on small businesses, strategies to conserve cash during these turbulent times, and Google’s latest initiatives to help small businesses leverage AI in a rapidly digitalizing economy. Plus, a deep dive into how tariffs are challenging yet reshaping industri...

The economy has its cheerleaders and detractors, but one thing that is keeping it propped up is the small businesses of America. The Paychex Small Business Employment Watch shows that despite the hourly earnings growth coming in below 3% for 11 straight months, it has stayed consistent at about 2.7%. This is based on real payroll numbers, and with government job numbers not based on that – and mis...

In this episode of THRIVE, Gene Marks sits down with Jason Rose, Senior Vice President of Digital Sales and Marketing at Paychex, to unpack what really drives marketing success. From his unlikely start as a CPA to leading marketing at publicly traded companies, Jason shares insights on building brands that turn customers into evangelists. Discover why “ruthless consistency” beats flashy campaigns,...

The economy looks to have taken a turn in the right direction with Gross Domestic Product showing growth in the second quarter, while consumer spending also increased again. Gene Marks says this is a positive step, but he also warns businesses about relying on statistics that keep getting revised. And speaking of reliability, a major bank reported that nearly one-quarter of businesses are in survi...

A provision in the new tax law offers employees no tax on tips, so Gene Marks level sets what guidance has been provided — proposed job eligibility, the deduction limit, what taxes still must be deducted — and points to other information employers and employees will require. Gene says that employees need to be aware this is a deduction to be taken at tax filing time, that employers should be aware...

Think you know what female employees want? Think again! Wharton economist Dr. Corinne Low joins Gene Marks to shatter conventional wisdom with surprising research from her new book Having It All. Dr. Low shares why today’s mothers spend twice as much time with their children as previous generations and how this shift is reshaping workplace needs in unexpected ways. The biggest surprise? Women don’...

The Producer Price Index is declining and the Purchasing Price Index has fallen a third time in 2025, all used to determine inflation, yet Gene Marks says the “Big I” isn’t the huge threat everyone thinks it is. He looks at potential interest cuts as a possible result, which might help businesses. Also, a boon or manufacturing businesses is a new SBA loan program with less red tape and an 85% guar...

The Paychex Small Business Employment Watch reports job numbers remain flat, while national hourly earnings stay below 3% growth for a 10th straight month. Gene Marks points to a continued slow down, citing the paltry 22,000 jobs reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and a national unemployment rate at 4.3%. However, Gene says this creates opportunity for small businesses to snap up top talen...

Is your business secretly driving away top talent? This episode of THRIVE will tell you how to find out. Join host Gene Marks as he sits down with Paychex HR experts Alison Stevens and Michael Majors to chat about Employer IQ — a game-changing diagnostic tool that reveals exactly where your HR practices are helping or hurting your business. Discover the most common blind spots, learn exactly when...

Businesses earned a victory for the second time when an appeals court upheld a ruling that the administration’s tariffs are unconstitutional. However, Gene Marks says that regardless of an appeal, the bag of tricks is endless to keep taxing businesses with tariffs. And this is on top of the de minimis exemption expiring, meaning any imported goods of less than $800 will also face tariffs. Employer...

As news of tariffs comes and go, one recent study found that a majority of small businesses have had zero exposure to international supply chains and 45% source more than half of their materials from their city or state. Gene Marks also talks about high levels of optimism among these businesses. More good news: Manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace in August since 2022. Tempering that is a pr...

Forget waiting until 65 to enjoy life — what if you could “retire” for a month every single year? In this episode of THRIVE, we dive into the concept of mini-retirement with Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often and host of the Retire Often podcast. Think you can't afford it? Think your business would crumble without you? Jillian breaks down exactly how to make mini-retirement work — whether yo...

The Producer Price Index, which is an indicator for the rate of inflation, rose to a point that is significantly higher than it has been recently. This means consumers could be seeing higher costs come their way. However, Gene Marks points out that consumers don’t seem deterred. They are spending, and the retail sales uptick bears that out. Small businesses also don’t appear worried, as the latest...

Small businesses are benefitting from the resiliency and a rise in consumer spending, but how much is really the impact of higher prices? Gene Marks shares the latest data in this episode. He also looks at the top 3 reasons why employers are getting sued by employees, and two of them never seem to change. Big-time corporations such as AT&T and Microsoft have mandated new return-to-office polic...

Confused about how the 2025 Tax Bill impacts your business? This episode of THRIVE dives headfirst into real questions from real business owners, breaking down what you need to know about this headline-making legislation. Gene is joined by tax expert Barbara Weltman, founder of Big Ideas for Small Business and author of J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes. Together, they tackle the most pressing to...

This week, Gene Marks breaks down an economic outlook full of uncertainty. From strong GDP growth battling rising inflation to unexpected job market revisions and the growing impact of tariffs, there’s plenty for small businesses to consider. On the brighter side, learn how OSHA’s new penalty reductions are bringing relief to employers with safe practices. With cautious optimism for more stable ti...

Gene Marks sits down with Senior Benefits Manager at Paychex, Tami Tillery, to answer the top questions from a recent webinar on the evolving landscape of employee benefits. They discuss how businesses, particularly in rural and underserved areas, can creatively manage healthcare costs while providing robust employee benefits. A major focus is on leveraging technology and innovative solutions such...

In this week's episode of the Paychex THRIVE Week in Review, host Gene Marks provides an analysis of current trends impacting small businesses. Highlighting data from the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch and CNBC's Small Business Confidence Index, he discusses the stable job growth and increased economic optimism among small business owners, despite challenges like tariffs. This episode als...

The SBA continues to make changes to revitalize manufacturing in America, and small businesses could be the biggest beneficiary of new programs, loan access, and training. A CEO of an insurance company throws up a warning flag to small businesses about rising healthcare costs and the potential impact on employees. Gene Marks also talks about how voluntary benefits impact talent acquisition and ret...

Employers are getting wise to their over-employed employees – the ones working multiple jobs on the clock and dime of their main boss. Gene Marks says this type of flexibility might be necessary to keep good employees, and he’s OK with it as long as individuals are finishing their work satisfactorily and on time. Speaking of time, Gene points out a report that shows remote workers clocking 2.65 ho...

Did you know there are now SIX generations in today’s workforce? From the Silent Generation to Gen Alpha, the workplace is a melting pot of perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. In this episode of THRIVE, Gene sits down with workplace expert Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky to decode the secrets of managing multigenerational teams. Smiley shares his insights on bridging generational gaps, fostering...

With the tax and spending bill now law, there is much the government needs to do to implement the changes that include many tax deduction carryovers made permanent from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Gene Marks offers his take, noting businesses should prepare to take advantage of changes to bonus depreciation and research and development – both now returned to 100%. Business owners will have...

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,...

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 cy...

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...