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

Mauricio Comi, former CEO of Dutchie Insurance Services, LLC, has been working with different types of fintech products in Silicon Valley for the last 12 years.

He saw what it means to build with embedded fintech — before the term was widely known.

Today, Mauricio covers why there is so much opportunity in the insurance space and how to properly build your core offering before expanding to additional services.

Highlights include:

- What is an MGA?

- The framework for thinking about modern embedded fintech products and risk.

- The right time to add an embedded finance product to your core offering.

- How should founders price their digital products?

- What is the most exciting thing in fintech right now?

Resources Mentioned:

Mauricio Comi -

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

Dutchie Insurance Services, LLC | LinkedIn -

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

Dutchie Insurance Services | Website -

https://business.dutchie.com/insurance

Intuit -

https://www.intuit.com/careers/?cid=pjob_lip_click_us_active-fy20_cn_text_job_intuit-talent&iis=pjob&iisn=lip

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

Technology has permanently transformed industries, and legal technology, in particular, has had a profound effect on the practice of law.

Instead of law books, there are now online databases. Instead of paper copies, there are digital contracts. Managing clients from your smartphone is normalized.

Legal technology has redefined law, bringing efficiencies and simplification to everyday tasks.

Today, Keri Gohman, Chief Executive Officer at CARET, discusses specific use cases for vertical solutions and why there is still so much opportunity for massive growth in the legal industry.

Highlights include:

- How is CARET different from other practice management solutions?

- The role embedded fintech plays for business management within law firms.

- How to talk to an organization in its early stages about the opportunities of embedded fintech.

- Why you should start marketing new features as they get added to your platform.

- Horizontal versus vertical solutions.

- How will AI affect small and medium-sized businesses in the future?

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

Most fintech companies are still in their early stages of growth. A large chunk of business opportunity lies in identifying the gaps many vertical solutions will fill.

While fintech has been around for almost two decades, most of the well-known enterprises have used horizontal solutions. Now, vertical solutions are emerging in many niches and creating better options for small businesses and customers alike.

Today, Prashant Fuloria, Chief Executive Officer at Fundbox, discusses how important embedded financial services are and why they benefit both vertical and horizontal solutions in specific ways.

Highlights include:

- Fundbox explained in two minutes.

- How does Fundbox compare to traditional lending companies?

- What are banks doing to compete with fintech?

- What’s driving the overall growth of embedded finance?

- How to identify the right software partners.

- What is Fundbox focused on creating next?

- Horizontal versus embedded solutions in the world of fintech.

- Advice to SaaS partners thinking about partnering with an embedded product.

Resources mentioned:

Prashant Fuloria -

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

Fundbox -

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

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

More and more, customers are looking for an emotional connection to the products and services they use.

Incorporating human elements, such as personalized support or intuitive user interfaces, helps bridge the gap between technology and human needs, making software more approachable and user-friendly for a wider audience.

Today, JP Durrios, CEO at Bench Accounting, discusses how partnerships with vertical SaaS solutions and keeping a human element to the customer experience give you an edge over your competition.

Highlights include:

- What makes Bench different within its crowded competitor space?

- Horizontal platforms versus vertical platforms.

- Key factors that drive product evolution.

- How automation creates new opportunities for CPAs.

- Advice for other leaders moving into new roles and changing leadership styles.

Resources mentioned:

JP Durrios -

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

Bench Accounting -

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

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

For decades, traditional banking has been a convoluted process for customers.

Between having to show up physically at a bank branch and providing an endless list of information, startups need simpler solutions to jumpstart their businesses.

Today, Jason Zhang, COO and Co-Founder of Mercury, discusses how tech has simplified the banking process for startups and why having a strong opinion about your products makes them better for consumers.

Highlights include:

- How Mercury differentiates itself from traditional banks.

- The simplified banking onboarding experience that benefits startups.

- Are there any downsides to the partner bank model?

- Staying close to customer needs while scaling to ensure meeting their needs.

- Conventional wisdom for founders in the scaling phase.

Resources mentioned:

Jason Zhang -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-zhang-5645a860/

Mercury -

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

Learn more about Mercury at https://mercury.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

A big concern consumers have when they walk into an auto repair shop is that someone may take advantage of them. 

Today, Kathleen Long, Chief Revenue Officer at RepairPal, discusses why diverse perspectives in the auto industry are more important than ever, along with important lessons learned from building consumer buy-in within a low-trust industry.

Highlights include:

- Carving out space for women in the auto industry.

- The concept of a three-sided marketplace.

- What makes SaaS solutions in the automotive industry so complex?

- Unique lessons learned from building the RepairPal marketplace.

- Fintech opportunities and how it fits into the overall roadmap for RepairPal.

- The growing demand for transparency in the auto industry.

Resources mentioned:

Kathleen Long -

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

RepairPal -

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

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

For a company to have continued success, it needs to be extremely focused on its industries and know its customers well.

On the flip side, there are lessons that can be learned from verticals that are close by. You might be missing out if you don't poke around and explore those other solutions.

Today, Andy Swansburg, Chief Product Officer, Fitness and Well-Being Vertical at Xplor, discusses the challenges and advantages of taking on multiple verticals and why SMB marketing is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity.

Highlights include:

- Andy's atypical journey that led to becoming the CPO for Xplor.

- The idea behind commerce-accelerating technologies, with some examples.

- How to think about organizing product teams and infrastructure in a company with multiple verticals.

- How big is the demand for embedded finance?

- How does operating internationally change the complexity of business?

- Advice on integrating acquisitions for other CPOs and lessons learned.

Resources mentioned:

Andy Swansburg -

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

Xplor | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/xplor-technologies/

Xplor | Website -

https://www.xplortechnologies.com/us

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

Managing teams has become more complex than ever, but the increased usage of AI and automation has changed how businesses hire and schedule employees.

Small businesses and enterprises alike now have a software solution to simplify scheduling, payroll and labor law compliance, no matter how simple or complicated your team is.

Deepesh Banerji, Chief Product Officer at Deputy, covers how to make important decisions early on in business without sacrificing opportunities for growth as they become available, and why the customer experience is your biggest competitive advantage.

Highlights include:

- What makes Deputy unique in a world full of time and attendance tools?

- Why the customer experience should be a top priority, no matter what your business size is.

- Prioritizing mobile app usage with your customer base.

- What Deepesh thinks about country-specific needs within a global platform.

- Thinking about software designs with more upfront optionality.

- The difference between companies that grow quickly and companies that struggle.

Resources mentioned:

Deepesh Banerji -

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

Deputy | LinkedIn -

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

Deputy | Website -

https://www.deputy.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

Customers have made their preferences known when it comes to software solutions: They don't want to manage a dozen different logins and platforms.

People want to work inside of a single holistic dashboard because it makes their whole lives better in terms of user experience.

Today, Doron Friedman, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at SpotOn, covers why a hospitality mindset and businesses that are a good partner fit are critical for delivering the end-user experience that customers demand more and more of.

Highlights include:

- What makes SpotOn different from other POS platforms?

-  Why hospitality matters when you offer a product.

- SpotOn's finance roadmap outside of payroll.

- Why customers prefer a holistic experience with their products.

- Advice for business owners before they decide to lean into embedded payroll.

- What Doron is most excited about for the embedded finance industry in the next year.

Resources mentioned:

Gusto Embedded -

https://embedded.gusto.com/

Doron Friedman -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doron-friedman-a27b40/

SpotOn -

https://www.spoton.com/restaurant-pos/

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

In a world of growing digital currency demand, AccountingSuite became one of the first accounting software platforms to integrate Bitcoin and digital payments.

Since 2013, Kurt Kunselman, CEO and Co-Founder at AccountingSuite, has dabbled in crypto and experimented in blockchain to come up with integrations to remain a pioneer in his industry.

Today, Kurt discusses how to choose the right vendors to strengthen your product offering and why blockchain will transform the entire industry of accounting for the better.

Highlights include:

- The ideal customer for AccountingSuite.

- How the role of skilled advisors for SMBs has changed over the past decade.

- Why including accountants in AccountingSuite's business model helped with their go-to-market strategy.

- Creating a useful ecosystem among your product offering without losing your core functionality.

- Key lessons from working with embedded fintech.

- The difference between deep integrations and embedded integrations.

- How to choose the right partners.

- Where does blockchain fit into the accounting niche?

Kurt Kunselman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtkunselman/

AccountingSuite - https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountingsuite/

Learn more about AccountingSuite at https://www.accountingsuite.com/

Thanks for listening to The SMB Tech Innovators Podcast. 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