Charlotte Long left a stable career path to go all-in on PEO sales. Francine Blain was pre-med at Johns Hopkins before walking away from grad school to build something different. Both ended up in Texas. Both ended up at Helpside.

In this episode of It's Personnel, Charlotte (Austin) and Francine (San Antonio) sit down to talk about how they got here, what drew them to ⁠Helpside⁠, and what they're actually seeing on the ground in two of the fastest-growing business markets in the country.

What's covered:

• Why Charlotte and Francine both chose ⁠Helpside⁠ over other PEO opportunities
• What surprised them most about the company once they got inside
• What the Austin business market looks like right now — and why it's still growing
• The San Antonio market: military presence, healthcare boom, and businesses fleeing California
• Why Texas being an employer-friendly state doesn't mean you're off the hook on compliance
• The one thing most Texas business owners don't know about workers comp
• Why EPLI is one of the most underutilized protections in the industry
• What gap Helpside is filling that no one else in Texas is filling right now

If you're a business owner in Austin or San Antonio wondering if a PEO is right for you — or if you're just curious what's driving the Texas business boom — this one is worth your time.

👍 Like & Subscribe for more helpful Helpside insights.

Interested?⁠ ⁠Book a free 15 minute benefit audit⁠⁠ to learn more.

What You’ll Learn In This Video:

0:00 – Welcome: Helpside's Texas episode

0:41 – Meet Charlotte Long — Austin-based business consultant

1:09 – Meet Francine Blain — San Antonio-based business consultant

1:35 – Career paths: how they both ended up in PEO sales

3:24 – First impressions of Helpside before joining

5:00 – What changed their minds about the company

8:00 – What stood out most after getting inside Helpside

12:00 – What Helpside does differently than other PEOs in Texas

16:00 – The challenges of launching in a brand new market

20:00 – What makes Austin one of the fastest-growing cities in the country

25:00 – The San Antonio market: military, healthcare, and California transplants

26:30 – Texas compliance: what business owners don't know about workers comp

27:00 – Why EPLI is underutilized and what it actually protects against

28:00 – The gap Helpside is filling in Texas right now

29:20 – How to connect with Charlotte or Francine

Colin Beneke and Nikki Sullivan both came from Insperity — one of the largest PEOs in the country. So why did they leave to help launch Helpside in a brand new market?

In this episode, Colin and Nikki sit down to talk about how they ended up in Dallas, what drew them to ⁠Helpside⁠, what they're seeing in the DFW business market, and what they think the next 12 months looks like for the Texas team.

What's covered:

• Why two experienced PEO sales reps left an established national brand for a startup market
• What makes the DFW market one of the most exciting business environments in the country right now
• How Helpside's culture and leadership stood out from other opportunities
• The real challenges of launching a PEO brand in a brand new city
• Why Texas businesses are ready for a different kind of PEO conversation
• What success looks like for the Dallas team in year one
• What Colin and Nikki would tell any Dallas business owner who's considering Helpside

If you're a business owner in the DFW area wondering whether Helpside is the right fit — or if you're considering a career in PEO sales — this conversation is worth your time.

👍 Like & Subscribe for more helpful Helpside insights.

Interested? ⁠Book a free 15 minute benefit audit⁠ to learn more.

Chapters:

0:00 – Meet Colin and Nikki: Helpside's Dallas team

1:16 – Why the Dallas-Fort Worth market is exploding right now

4:21 – How Helpside found Colin (and why he said yes)

5:39 – What stood out to Nikki from day one

6:32 – What made them both commit to Helpside

15:06 – What opportunities they see in the Dallas market

16:19 – The real challenges of launching in a new city

18:00 – Why Texas was a massive missed opportunity for Helpside to ignore

19:06 – What success looks like after year one

20:25 – What Nikki is most excited about in the next 6–12 months

21:11 – What Colin would tell any Dallas business owner considering Helpside

22:59 – Closing thoughts and how to connect

Most companies treat harassment training like a checkbox. Watch the video, sign the form, move on.

But Rachelle Beers and Amanda Rojas from Helpside have seen what happens when that's all you do — and it's expensive.

In Part 2 of this series, they break down what employers specifically need to get right when it comes to harassment and discrimination. Not just the legal minimum. The stuff that actually protects your company and builds a workplace people want to stay in.

What's covered:

• Why your managers are your biggest legal risk — and what to do about it
• The difference between being legally compliant and having a healthy workplace culture
• What happens when you protect a toxic high performer (and why it always backfires)
• How inconsistent management creates discrimination claims — even when nobody intended anything wrong
• The "he said, she said" situation — how to handle it properly
• Why documentation and consistency are the two things that save companies in every investigation
• Leadership accountability: why high performers don't get a free pass

If you're an employer who thinks you're probably fine — this episode will make you think twice.

Chapters:

0:00 – Welcome: Part 2 recap and what employers need to know

1:58 – Harassment training isn't enough — what leaders actually need

2:52 – Good policy vs. healthy culture — why compliance isn't the same as safety

3:57 – Choosing the right managers and what their training must include

5:00 – Policies vs. reality — why a generic handbook doesn't protect you

7:00 – How inconsistent management creates legal exposure

9:00 – What to do the moment a complaint is filed

12:00 – How to handle a he said / she said situation

15:00 – Documentation, coaching, and keeping your eyes open for patterns

17:10 – Why managers make or break this — and the risk of leaving them untrained

18:00 – Leadership accountability: high performers don't get a free pass

18:50 – Final thoughts for employers and employees

Call us today for your free benefits audit: 1-800-748-5102 or schedule now.

Most workplace situations that feel wrong don't start with bad intentions. They start with poor judgment, a misunderstanding, or someone thinking "this probably isn't that big of a deal" — until it is.

In this episode of It's Personnel, Rachelle Beers (HR Manager) and Amanda Rojas (HR Business Partner) break down workplace harassment and discrimination from two angles: what employees need to know, and what employers absolutely must get right.

What's covered:

• What actually counts as harassment vs. discrimination — and why most people get it wrong
• The difference between a policy violation and an actual legal violation
• The "equal opportunity jerk" rule — why a bad manager isn't always breaking the law
• Am I overreacting? How to evaluate your situation using the reasonable person standard
• What retaliation actually is — and what it isn't
• Why filing a complaint doesn't protect you from accountability for your own performance
• What employers must do the moment a complaint is filed — and why doing nothing is never an option
• How to build a workplace culture that goes beyond just avoiding the legal minimum

Whether you're an employee wondering if you should say something, or an employer hoping you're probably fine — this episode is for you.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction: Rachelle and Amanda on workplace harassment

1:10 – What actually counts as harassment and discrimination

3:22 – Policy violation vs. legal violation — the key difference

4:36 – Am I overreacting? The reasonable person standard

7:00 – Should I say something? Fears around reporting

9:00 – What happens after you report — the investigation process

12:00 – Retaliation: what it is and what it isn't

18:24 – Why documentation and consistency are your best defense

21:32 – Common misconceptions and key takeaways for employees

23:47 – Employer obligations when a complaint is filed

Call us today for your ⁠free benefits audit: 1-800-748-5102 or schedule now.⁠

👍 Like & Subscribe for more helpful ⁠Helpside ⁠insights.

Resources: ⁠The Ultimate HR Success Toolkit -15+ Essential Checklists, Guides, and Templates for Complete Compliance and Growth⁠⁠

60% of employees at small businesses quit within their first year. And replacing each one costs between $25,000 and $100,000 depending on their salary. Most business owners have no idea it's happening — and even less idea why.

Sam T. from ⁠Helpside ⁠has worked with hundreds of small businesses on HR, payroll, and benefits. In this video he breaks down the five real reasons employees leave small businesses — and exactly what you can do to stop it.

What's covered:

• Why 63% of workers who quit say it was because of low pay — and how to compete without matching corporate salaries
• The benefits gap that's costing you top talent (and how a PEO closes it for less than you're paying now)
• Why employees leave managers, not jobs — and how to fix your culture before it's too late
• How burnout and lack of work-life balance is quietly gutting small business teams
• The four-step retention system that actually works for companies under 50 employees

If you're tired of losing good people and starting over, this video will show you exactly what to fix first.

👍 Like & Subscribe for more helpful Helpside insights.

Get your ⁠free benefits audit: schedule now⁠

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction: The true cost of employee turnover 

1:03 – What turnover is actually costing your business 

2:14 – Reason 1: They found better pay elsewhere 

2:49 – Reason 2: No benefits or bad benefits 

3:44 – The PEO solution — how small businesses get Fortune 500 benefits 

4:23 – Reason 3: No growth opportunities 

4:54 – Reason 4: Bad management or toxic culture 

5:36 – Reason 5: Burnout and lack of work-life balance 

6:07 – The 4-step fix: benefits, culture, growth, and hiring smart 

7:34 – Free benefits consultation from Helpside

Gusto. QuickBooks. Paychex. They're the three most popular payroll options for small businesses — and they all have the same problem nobody talks about.

They're software. Which means when something goes wrong — a missed tax deadline, a wage law violation, a compliance error — the penalty doesn't go to them. It comes to you.

In this video, Shelly from Helpside breaks down exactly what each platform does, what it costs, and where it leaves you exposed. Then she covers the option most small business owners don't even know exists.

What's covered:

• Gusto: best for tech-savvy owners, starts at $40/month + $6 per employee
• QuickBooks Payroll: best if you're already in the QuickBooks ecosystem, starts at $45/month
• Paychex: dedicated account rep, but still software — and expensive
• Why all three leave compliance risk entirely on you
• What a PEO actually does differently — and why it changes everything

If you're running payroll yourself and assuming your software has you covered, this video will make you rethink that assumption.

Learn more about payroll at Helpside.com

Chapters:

0:00 – The problem with payroll software 

0:45 – Gusto: pricing and limitations 

2:10 – QuickBooks Payroll: pricing and limitations 

3:15 – Paychex: pricing and limitations 

4:08 – What all three have in common 

5:00 – What a PEO actually does 

6:30 – Which option is right for you

Most small business owners don't know they have an HR problem until it shows up as an IRS notice, a Department of Labor audit, or a lawsuit.

Erica Brune (CEO) and Chad Brahmer (President) of Lever One have spent a combined 20+ years helping small businesses get out of their own way when it comes to HR, payroll, and compliance. In this episode, they break down how Lever One started, what separates a great PEO from an average one, and why the clients who treat their PEO as a strategic partner — not just a vendor — are the ones who actually sleep at night.

What's covered:

- How Lever One accidentally started a PEO — and why they never looked back

- The compliance mistakes small businesses make without even knowing it

- What long-term clients say they value most (it's not what you think)

- Why the best PEO clients aren't looking for the cheapest solution

- How Lever One is expanding into new markets with Helpside

If you're a small business owner managing HR, payroll, or benefits internally — this conversation will make you rethink that decision.

Chapters

0:00 – Intro: Meet Erica and Chad

0:29 – Chad's background and why he joined Lever One

2:29 – How Lever One started as an internal PEO

3:47 – What people misunderstand about compliance

5:00 – What keeps Erica driven after 14 years

7:00 – What separates a great PEO from an average one

8:30 – What clients actually care about most

9:48 – The compliance mistakes new clients always make

10:45 – How client expectations have changed

33:01 – Lever One's expansion with Helpside

35:00 – The dreamer vs. the operator dynamic

36:19 – What's next for Lever One

38:00 – Closing thoughts

Call us today for your free benefits audit: 1-800-748-5102 or schedule now.

👍 Like & Subscribe for more helpful Helpside insights.

Most small business owners think they're stuck — paying whatever their insurance company demands with no way out. They're wrong.

In this episode of the It's Personnel Podcast, host Greg Williams sits down with Trent Sanders and Katie Peacock from GBS Benefits — Utah's largest employee benefits provider — along with HelpSide Senior Business Consultant Dave Ashby, to break down exactly how small businesses can take back control of their benefits costs and start competing for top talent like the big guys.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why being under 50 employees doesn't mean you're stuck in community-rated ACA pricing
• How association plans, level-funded options, and PEO partnerships open doors most owners don't know exist
• What healthy groups are leaving on the table by staying in the wrong plan
• How losing a key employee to better benefits is 100% preventable — and what to do about it
• Why your broker should be having strategic conversations year-round, not just at renewal
• How the HelpSide and GBS partnership creates a full-coverage solution for small businesses at any size

Who should watch: Small business owners, HR managers, and anyone responsible for employee benefits who wants to stop overpaying and start offering a package that actually attracts and retains great people.

If your broker is just handing you a renewal and saying "here's what it is" — this episode is your wake-up call.

Subscribe to the It's Personnel Podcast for more real conversations, real insights, and real strategies to help your business grow.

Chapters

0:00 - Welcome to the It's Personnel Podcast 

1:36 - Meet the GBS Benefits Team: Trent Sanders & Katie Peacock 

3:30 - Dave Ashby & Greg Williams: The HelpSide Side of the Partnership 

5:00 - Why Small Businesses Feel Trapped by Rising Health Costs 

7:30 - Breaking Out of Community Rating: Real Options for Small Groups 

10:00 - Stop Checking the Box at Renewal — Think Strategically 

10:53 - How Benefit Gaps Are Costing You Your Best Employees 

14:00 - Competing With Large Companies on Benefits as a Small Business 

18:00 - Level Funded & Association Plans: What Owners Need to Know 

24:00 - The Power of a Broker + PEO Partnership 

35:00 - How HelpSide and GBS Work Together to Find the Right Fit 

50:00 - Real Stories: What Clients Are Saying 

1:03:30 - Who's the Best Fit for This Partnership?

Call us today for your free benefits audit: 1-800-748-5102 or schedule now: https://www.helpside.com/benefits-audit/

👍 Like & Subscribe for more helpful Helpside insights.

What really happens during the onboarding process with a PEO (Professional Employer Organization)? In this episode of ⁠It’s Personnel,⁠ we go behind the scenes of one of the most important — and most misunderstood — stages of HR outsourcing.

Host Lexi Bartholomew sits down with ⁠Helpside⁠ onboarding specialists Jessica Rodriguez and Madison Rowley to break down why onboarding is far more than paperwork. While many business owners assume onboarding is just about I-9 forms and direct deposits, the first 60 days of a partnership can determine the success of the next six years.

Together they discuss how strong communication, clear expectations, and structured timelines help companies successfully transition payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance into a PEO system. They also share real insights into the challenges businesses face when switching HR infrastructure and how a well-designed onboarding process can build trust from day one.

If you’re a business owner, HR professional, or entrepreneur exploring PEO services, this conversation will give you a clear look at what onboarding actually involves—and why getting it right matters.

In this episode we cover:

• Why onboarding is the most critical phase of a PEO partnership
• The biggest misconceptions companies have about HR onboarding
• How payroll, benefits, and compliance get set up during the process
• Common onboarding mistakes that slow down implementation
• Why communication and timelines are essential for success

Helpside has been helping businesses simplify HR, payroll, workers’ compensation, and benefits for over 35 years through a human-to-human service model designed to support long-term growth.

If your company is considering ⁠HR outsourcing or PEO services⁠, this episode will help you understand what a successful onboarding experience should look like.

Chapters

0:00 – Why Onboarding Matters More Than Most Companies Realize

1:16 – Meet the Helpside Onboarding Team

7:06 – What Business Owners Think Onboarding Is vs. What It Actually Is

9:19 – Why Companies Often Underestimate the Onboarding Process

11:42 – What Great Onboarding Looks Like

15:10 – Common Challenges That Slow Down Onboarding

19:06 – Handling Difficult Conversations With Clients

21:30 – Why Helpside Prioritizes Onboarding

25:05 – Systems That Make Onboarding Run Smoothly

26:37 – Supporting Clients Through a Major HR Transition

28:47 – Client Feedback After Onboarding

31:42 – Favorite Parts of the Job

33:21 – Advice for Companies Starting a PEO Partnership

35:27 – Final Thoughts on Building a Strong HR Foundation

HR mistakes can cost small businesses thousands — or even lead to lawsuits. In this episode, HR experts Brandon and Rochelle break down the most common HR mistakes business owners make and how to avoid them before they become expensive problems.

From harassment complaints and employee discipline to ADA compliance, FMLA thresholds, and managing employee complaints, this conversation covers the HR issues that can quietly put your business at risk. Many business owners try to handle HR questions themselves, but misunderstanding employment law or reacting incorrectly to employee concerns can create serious legal and financial consequences.

If you’re a small business owner, manager, or leader trying to build a compliant and healthy workplace, this episode explains how proactive HR strategy can protect your company, support your employees, and help your business grow.

In this episode we discuss:

• The HR mistakes that cost small businesses the most money
• Key employee thresholds (15 employees, 50 employees) that trigger new employment laws
• What to do when an employee files a harassment complaint
• Why retaliation claims are so common in workplace disputes
• The risks of mishandling attendance and medical leave issues
• ADA, FMLA, and other HR compliance pitfalls
• Why managers need HR training to avoid legal issues
• How strong onboarding and workplace culture reduce employee turnover
• Why proactive HR support is critical for growing businesses

Whether you're running a startup or scaling a growing company, understanding HR risk management and employment compliance is essential for protecting your business.

Call us today for your free benefits audit: 1-800-748-5102 or
schedule now.

👍 Like & Subscribe for more helpful Helpside insights.

Chapters

0:00 – Why HR Problems Keep Business Owners Up at Night

1:45 – Why Small Businesses Need Real HR Support

4:45 – The Employee Thresholds That Trigger New Labor Laws

8:10 – Hiring Remote Employees & Navigating Different State Laws

11:30 – What To Do When Employees File Complaints

15:00 – The Biggest HR Mistakes Managers Make

18:45 – Attendance Issues, Medical Leave & ADA Compliance

21:45 – Handling Employee Discipline and Terminations

24:30 – HR as a Business Growth Strategy

28:00 – Building Strong Culture, Retention & Onboarding

32:00 – How Proactive HR Support Protects Your Business

35:00 – Final Takeaways for Business Owners

• The Ultimate HR Success Toolkit
• The Tech Founder’s Roadmap
• 2026 SMB Benefits Benchmarking Report