The pro-business aura of the current administration shouldn’t lull owners into a sense of invincibility, says Gene Marks, as he cites a major ruling by the Department of Labor against a restaurant in Oregon. Fines at the federal and state level can be financially devastating, plus misclassifying workers is a black eye on one’s reputation. The immigration crackdown hasn’t shorted the labor market nor has it produced wage gains. In AI news, Gene points to the AI tools being used by Yelp to increase bookings and Google Maps, urging businesses to lean into AI for insights for B2C businesses. Listen to the podcast.

Topics:

00:00 – Introduction

 Additional Resources

Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs

Worker classification: https://bit.ly/exempt-vs-nonexempt

Small business and AI: https://bit.ly/ai-and-small-biz

DISCLAIMER:

With banks making money and reporting solid consumer spending and stable credit while several manufacturing reports indicate renewed momentum in the industry, there is a positive glow on the U.S. economy. However, host Gene Marks says that as much as this news is good, there is a growing voice around risk associated with energy prices, inflation, and credit balances, not to mention tariffs and unpredictable policy shifts that could bring it all to a halt. In AI news, Google touts its AI ad tools as a way for its customers to improve sales and help campaigns but others are wary. Listen to the podcast. 

Topics:

00:00 – Introduction

Additional Resources

Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs

DISCLAIMER:

Artificial intelligence is working for and against Gen Z, hindering their first job searches while also enabling them to manage workloads as they engage in polywork. Gene Marks looks at the latest trend of the new generation of workers, as well as what this eventually could mean for the labor market. In other news, cybercrime is costly – nearly $22 billion in losses in 2025, according to an FBI report. Gene suggests training and other precautionary steps for businesses. Plus, a Microsoft mea culpa. Its Copilot AI terms of service state it is not reliable and should not be used for important decisions, but the tech giant claimed those were out of date. Do your due diligence. Listen to the podcast. 

Topics:

Additional Resources

Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs

Cybersecurity Plan: https://bit.ly/cybersecurity-plan

DISCLAIMER:

Think org charts are just boxes and lines? Think again. Gene Marks sits down with OrgChart CEO Tom McCarty to explore how a living, data-connected org chart can transform workforce planning, boost company valuation, support AI-readiness, and give employees a clear path forward. From 30-person shops to enterprise teams, this conversation will make you rethink how you manage your most valuable asset.

Simplify your business operations: Visit paychex.com/MeetPaychex to learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts.

Check out OrgChart and more trusted partners in the Paychex Marketplace: https://bit.ly/41uO9zk

Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics

Topics include:

#BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartSummit #ApplePodcasts

DISCLAIMER:

Job growth and wage growth have cooled, according to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch and even Homebase, but the overarching theme is that small businesses continue to be resilient in an ever-changing landscape. Gene Marks points out that businesses are being more selective when hiring and cutting costs rather than jobs. In other news, lawsuits around accessibility – mainly concerning websites – under the Americans with Disabilities Act have risen 37%, and Gene offers some tips for owners. Businesses continue to adopt artificial intelligence at a rapid rate, but among users there is a diminished trust in the accuracy of AI’s output. 

Topics:

00:00 – Introduction

Additional Resources

Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs

Paychex Small Business Employment Watch: https://bit.ly/paychex-sbew

DISCLAIMER:

With the many challenges small business owners face on a regular basis, add forgoing pay for themselves. A survey by Bluevine found that 3 in 10 have invoice problems that cause cashflow issues that result in them not paying themselves. Host Gene Marks offers four tips on how to address the problem. In the tech startup world, funding might get a little easier with Congress voting to free up billions in grants. Speaking of easier, Anthropic’s tools, Claude Code and Claude Cowork, are performing tasks such as paying invoices and purchasing inventory with limited human prompting. Listen to the podcast to find out more about the next layer of agentic AI.      

Topics:

00:00 – Introduction

 Additional Resources

Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs

Learn About Invoice Factoring: https://bit.ly/invoice-factoring-types

DISCLAIMER:

Small business owners are feeling cautiously hopeful, but far from settled. In this episode of THRIVE, host Gene Marks sits down with Holly Wade and Peter Hansen from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) to break down what their three signature indexes — Optimism, Uncertainty, and Employment — are really telling us about small business in 2026. From interest rates to federal policy shifts, find out why confidence is up, but small business owners are still holding their breath.

Simplify your business operations: Visit paychex.com/MeetPaychex to learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts.

Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics

Topics include:

#BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartSummit #ApplePodcasts

DISCLAIMER:

A new Mercer survey finds that only 54% of U.S. employers are ready to comply with pay transparency regulations, while host Gene Marks says it’s a smart business practice, whether or not your state requires it. A 1-800Accountant survey reveals that 57% of small business owners admit to questionable tax deductions, with complexity, not intent, being the real culprit. And while a Goldman Sachs study shows most small businesses are using AI, only 14% have truly integrated it into core operations. Listen to the podcast.

Topics:

Additional Resources

Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs

Article on AI for small business: https://bit.ly/4uVEhvW

DISCLAIMER:

A report finds that entrepreneurs are optimistic about business prospects but nearly one-third want to sell. Gene Marks says take the positivity with a grain of salt from the sellers, plus take advantage of buying a business that already exists. Employers struggling to find labor aren’t shy about paying more for what they can find, according to a report by the National federation of Independent Businesses, with nearly 50% increasing compensation to lure candidates. And speaking of money, KPMG is offering cold, hard cash to employees who start innovating with AI tools. 

Topics:

00:00 - Introduction

Additional Resources

Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs

#BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeart #ApplePodcasts

DISCLAIMER:

What happens when a Hallmark star meets a business podcast? Actress and Lioness executive producer Jill Wagner joins Gene Marks to reveal the business savvy behind her 20-year career. From cold-calling Taylor Sheridan to building a real estate portfolio, Jill treats her career like a CEO treats a company. She opens up about handling rejection, knowing your worth, managing money, and finding structure in the chaos of Hollywood. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or just hustling toward your next big break, Jill’s candid advice will leave you ready to pick up the phone.

Simplify your business operations: Visit paychex.com/MeetPaychex to learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts.

Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics

Topics include:

#BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartSummit #ApplePodcasts

DISCLAIMER: