SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API

In an era where technology continuously reshapes business operations, payroll remains a challenging area for small businesses, especially as embedded solutions become increasingly popular. Gusto is at the forefront of transforming payroll into a seamless, embedded experience that supports the unique needs of small business owners.

On this episode, Tomer London, Co-Founder and CPO of Gusto, talks to host Rex Salisbury, Founder and General Partner of Cambrian, about Gusto's journey into embedded payroll, scaling through partnerships and the unique challenges of compliance and user experience in the fintech landscape.

Key Takeaways:

(03:02) Gusto’s early vision for embedded payroll and waiting for market readiness to capitalize on it.

(06:00) Gusto’s unique focus on creating a "modern delightful payroll" experience.

(13:36) Strategic timing behind launching embedded payroll, in line with industry trends.

(19:58) Challenges in small business payroll, highlighting complex regulatory requirements.

(22:32) Key partnerships, such as with JPMorgan, that amplify Gusto's reach and scalability.

(27:35) Dedicated “zero-to-one” teams that enable Gusto to innovate while scaling.

(41:10) A partner-focused approach in onboarding enterprise clients to Gusto’s embedded payroll.

(46:53) Three principles for product design: functional, intuitive and delightful user experiences.

Resources Mentioned:

Tomer London -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomerlondon/

Gusto | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/gustohq/

Gusto | Website -

https://www.gusto.com

Rex Salisbury -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexsalisbury/

Cambrian | Website -

https://www.cambrianhq.com/

Collective -

https://www.collective.com/

CleanCloud -

https://clean.cloud/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

Disclaimer: Since recording this episode with Jessica, Chase Payment Solutions has launched Chase PayrollSM powered by Gusto. Visit chase.com/business/payments/payroll to learn more.

Technology is transforming how businesses handle payments, driven by innovation and customer expectations. On this episode, Jessica Young, Managing Director and Head of Product, Chase Payment Solutions of JPMorgan Chase & Co., discusses her journey from intern to Head of Product, the impact of the WePay acquisition and how Chase is setting itself apart in the payments industry.

Key Takeaways:



(01:20) Jessica's career journey.

(02:00) The significance of the WePay acquisition for Chase's product innovation. 

(05:00) Overview of Chase Payment Solutions and its offerings for small businesses. 

(06:50) Differentiation through trusted security and seamless integration.

(23:15) Criteria for selecting partners: product robustness, security and economics. 

(26:35) Benefits of Chase's robust product development processes. 

(29:00) Staying close to the customer in product development. 

(31:00) Jessica's unique approach to celebrating product launches through music. 

(32:30) Jessica's advice to future leaders on maintaining customer focus.

Resources Mentioned: 

Jessica Young -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-young-a2331a19/

JPMorgan Chase & Co.| LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/jpmorganchase/

JPMorgan Chase | Website -

https://www.jpmorganchase.com/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

As legal technology continues to advance, small law firms face the challenge of adapting quickly. In this episode, Ronnie Gurion, Chief Operating Officer of Clio - Cloud-Based Legal Technology, explains how Clio’s platform is revolutionizing legal operations — helping law firms streamline case management, integrate AI and improve overall efficiency to better serve their clients.

Key Takeaways:

(03:12) An all-in-one platform to help law firms manage operations from intake to invoicing.

(07:05) Law firms increasingly want to consolidate their tools, preferring fewer, more integrated solutions.

(10:30) The complexity of legal compensation systems, such as billable hours and revenue-sharing, requires tailored software solutions.

(11:51) Clio is cautious about bolting on solutions without integration with the existing platform.

(14:57) Effective onboarding sequencing is critical to avoid overwhelming small business clients.

(18:15) Law firms have lower churn rates than other industries, which helps Clio maintain long-term customer relationships.

(20:01) Clio Duo, an AI-driven product, enhances efficiency in legal practices by streamlining operations.

(25:58) The importance of customer obsession when building vertical SaaS solutions.

Resources Mentioned:

Ronnie Gurion -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgurion/

Clio - Cloud-Based Legal Technology -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clio---cloud-based-legal-technology/

Clio | Website -

https://www.clio.com/

Clio Duo -

https://www.clio.com/about/press/clio-unveils-clio-duo/

Clio Manage -

https://account.clio.com/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

This episode of The SMB Tech Innovators Podcast is brought to you by Gusto. Gusto has spent a decade building and testing its payroll, tax filing, and compliance infrastructure, which is available as a robust set of APIs so you can develop custom-tailored payroll solutions.

For more information, go to https://gusto.com/

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

As small businesses navigate a landscape of increasing costs and evolving consumer behavior, how does a global payments provider like PayPal adapt? On this episode, Michelle Gill, EVP and General Manager, Small Business and Financial Services Group of PayPal, delves into the strategies that have positioned PayPal at the forefront of supporting small businesses.

Key Takeaways:

(02:02) Authenticity and staying true to oneself are key to leadership.

(05:14) PayPal started with small businesses on eBay and now supports SMB growth through five key jobs: get customers, get paid, pay vendors, manage cash flow and run operations.

(09:01) PayPal Complete Payments offers a single integration for multiple microservices, including Fastlane, which cuts checkout time by 32%.

(11:13) Fastlane boosts conversion rates by up to 50%, making checkout quicker and reducing customer drop-offs, benefiting both merchants and consumers.

(17:00)  Prioritizing customer acquisition while also addressing operational needs, especially for smaller businesses, to support overall growth.

(20:22) PayPal offers flexible payment solutions that integrate with both its hardware and vertical-specific systems, focusing on partnerships over competition.

(22:57) PayPal collaborates closely with complex international partners to build versatile solutions, ensuring they address both broad and specific merchant needs.

(25:10) Understand your customers by speaking to them directly, allowing for unfiltered feedback, and never assume their needs — always ask and listen.

Resources Mentioned:

Michelle Gill -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-gill-47b2a85/

PayPal | LinkedIn-

https://www.linkedin.com/company/paypal/

Paypal website -

http://paypal.com/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

Retail operations face numerous time-consuming challenges every day. Lightspeed Commerce is solving one of the biggest and most tedious problems: managing complex workflows for SMBs.

Today, John Shapiro, Chief Product and Technology Officer, shares how Lightspeed empowers businesses to streamline operations, enhance product usability and leverage AI and machine learning for a competitive edge.

Key Takeaways:

(01:25) John’s career path from engineering to product management.

(02:08) The influence Steve Jobs’ commencement speech had on John’s career.

(03:14) Transitioning from software engineering to business operations and product management.

(04:03) The shift from desktop software to cloud solutions at Adobe.

(05:58) Lightspeed’s focus on complex in-store workflows for ambitious entrepreneurs.

(07:21) Balancing default settings and user flexibility in product design.

(09:45) Understanding customer problems is vital to drive product development.

(13:20) Integrating new technologies and financial services into Lightspeed’s platform.

(17:42) Validating market demand before building or partnering on new products.

(21:29) The role of AI in inventory forecasting and supplier recommendations.

(25:07) Using AI to enhance inventory forecasting and supplier recommendations.

(27:50) Balancing simplicity and capability in product design.

(29:23) Advice for aspiring product managers on navigating their careers.

Resources Mentioned:

Lightspeed Commerce -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeedcommerce/

John Shapiro -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnshapiro/

Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/.



Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

Discover how a passion for technology turns into a groundbreaking solution that helps businesses thrive. Fred Helou, Founder and CEO of Vagaro, shares his journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the US. With a background in engineering and a love for tech, Fred discusses the challenges and successes he faced while building Vagaro, a platform that provides scheduling and business management solutions for the beauty, wellness and fitness industries. 

Key Takeaways:

(01:52) Fred’s journey from Lebanon to the US and his early tech interests.

(07:00) The tough start of Vagaro and why persistence matters.

(09:54) How Vagaro helps businesses run smoothly.

(12:27) Embedded finance products and their impact.

(14:58) The effects of COVID-19 on the beauty and wellness industry.

(18:08) Adapting to change and staying innovative.

(21:14) The role of AI in customer communication.

(25:23) Payroll integration and its benefits.

(28:29) The evolution of customer needs and platform expansion.

(31:42) Fred’s vision for Vagaro’s future.

Resources Mentioned:

Fred Helou - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredhelou/

Vagaro | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vagaro/

Vagaro | Website - https://www.vagaro.com/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/.

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

Andrea Kando, Chief Payments and Strategy Officer of TouchBistro, has moved from elementary school teacher to payments industry leader. Her diverse roles in strategy and operations at Fortune 500 companies have equipped her with the skills to add immense value to smaller organizations. In this episode, Andrea shares her insights on optimizing revenue streams and enhancing the restaurant experience through TouchBistro’s innovative solutions.

Key Takeaways:

(03:10) Diverse roles in strategy, operations and payments add value to smaller firms.

(05:22) ISV: software solutions for specific verticals like restaurants.

(09:04) Key dining trends: online menu research, loyalty programs.

(10:59) Restaurant trends: balancing tech deployment with human interaction.

(12:51) Flexibility in delivering the right dining experience.

(13:00) Evolution of payments: focus on monetizing and optimizing experiences.

(14:32) TouchBistro’s intentional approach to payment workflows.

(18:04) Future of payments: the potential of soft POS solutions.

(22:18) Fraud management: layered security and optionality in payments.

Resources Mentioned:

Andrea Kando -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-kando/

TouchBistro | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/touchbistro/

TouchBistro | Website -

https://www.touchbistro.com/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

In the rapidly evolving landscape of independent businesses, managing client flow and administrative tasks remains a significant challenge. Yuval Kesten, Chief Product Officer of HoneyBook, shares insights into how a modern platform can alleviate these burdens. Reflecting on his extensive experience at Meta and now at HoneyBook, Yuval details how integrating advanced technologies like AI and embedded fintech not only simplifies operations but also enhances overall business efficiency for freelancers and entrepreneurs.

Key Takeaways:

(02:06) Yuval details the bottom-up culture at Meta and its influence on him.

(03:13) HoneyBook is a client flow management platform primarily for independent service providers.

(05:53) HoneyBook’s mission is to support aspects of business clients are least passionate about.

(06:49) HoneyBook’s target market focuses on committed businesses.

(08:17) Independents face challenges as their businesses grow.

(12:33) Integration of embedded fintech features to manage cash flows efficiently.

(16:00) HoneyBook’s careful approach to providing loans as part of embedded finance.

(18:11) The successful adoption of financial features, including tax savings.

(22:21) Emphasis on the need for empathy in developing financial products.

(24:25) The application of generative AI in assisting with client inquiries.

(28:14) Future plans for enhancing platform functionalities with more AI technologies.

(29:48) Insights on building a team culture that embraces new technologies and efficiencies.

Resources Mentioned:

Yuval Kesten -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuvalk/

HoneyBook | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/honeybook/

HoneyBook | Website -

https://www.honeybook.com/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

Imagine stepping into a world where each decision is meticulously crafted, where every product feature is a stepping stone to unparalleled success. This episode goes behind the scenes with Navya Rehani Gupta, Chief Product Officer of Peek, who has mastered the art of strategic prioritization in the bustling arena of travel software. Discover how Navya's intentional focus and commitment to customer retention have catapulted Peek to new heights.

Key Takeaways:

(04:06) Peek’s software is recognized by G2 as the leader in tourism activity software.

(05:26) Innovation and customer collaboration.

(06:42) Product prioritization in vertical SaaS and focusing on winning a category before expansion.

(08:55) Providing cohesive customer experiences across multiple products.

(11:16) Peek’s focus on winning sub-verticals within the tour operator market.

(14:50) Balancing customization and scalability in product development.

(19:21) Tying ROI to product investments.

(23:08) Exploration of embedded finance within Peak's platform.

(27:04) The importance of intentionality in product management and leadership.

(28:45) Commitment to supporting female founders and leaders in tech.

Resources Mentioned:

Navya Rehani Gupta -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/navyarehani/

Peek | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/peek-com/

Peek | Website -

https://www.peek.com/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness

In today’s world, where technology continually reshapes business landscapes, understanding the synergy between artificial intelligence and human interaction becomes paramount. The CPO and CEO of Formations, Co-Founders Uri Bar-Joseph and Shahar Plinner, delve into this topic, sharing insights from their entrepreneurial journey. 

Their discussion highlights how they’ve harnessed technology to empower the self-employed while maintaining the essential human touch that distinguishes their service.

Key Takeaways:

(02:17) The inception of Formations and Shahar’s collaboration with Uri.

(04:14) Formations’ focus on the self-employed market and its challenges.

(07:22) How the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly supported their business model.

(10:13) Integrating AI to enhance customer engagement while maintaining personal interaction.

(10:31) The advantages of embedding fintech in Formations.

(13:48) Insights into the service model, emphasizing a non-DIY approach tailored for the self-employed.

(18:08) Handling complex tax issues with a mix of automation and expert advice.

(20:27) Introduction to “MAX,” an AI tax and accounting assistant with public access.

(24:50) The security of data with MAX, despite its public availability.

(28:47) Reflections on Formations’ organic growth and the role of human interaction.

Resources Mentioned:

Uri Bar-Joseph -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/uribarjoseph/

Shahar Plinner -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaharplinner/

Formations | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/formationscorp/

Formations Corp | Website -

https://formationscorp.com/

Any specific guest you’d like to hear on the show? Leave your suggestions at https://www.smbtechinnovators.com/.

Thanks for listening to SMB Tech Innovators, powered by Gusto | Embedded Finance, Vertical SaaS, Payroll API. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#SMB #Fintech #Innovation #Saas #HR #Payroll #SmallBusiness