About this episode

The episode discusses the decline in profitability for small businesses, the importance of financial wellness for employees, and how AI is being utilized to drive growth in the B2B sector.

Small businesses always have challenges, but these days none is more damaging than the costs of doing business jacked up by inflation. Gene Marks, a small business owner himself, shares a few tips on how to manage the situation against the year-over-year profitability plunge of 1.3%. Financial pressures are hitting many, and a report found that 90% of employees would leave and seek out a company offering financial wellness resources as part of a benefits package. On a good note, some startups are using AI to solve practical business problems in the B2B space and drive growth. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:19 – Profitability Issues 03:34 – Financial Wellness Benefits 06:26 – Startups, AI, and Growth 08:25 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Small business and AI: https://bit.ly/ai-and-small-biz Register for AI webinar: https://bit.ly/ai-webinar-series DISCLAIMER:The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We…

People in this episode

Guest: Gene Marks

Topics covered

• profitability
• financial wellness
• AI in business
• small business challenges
• employee expectations

Keywords

• profitability
• financial guidance
• employee benefits
• inflation
• AI growth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Paychex, Inc., AI, B2B

More episodes of THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

• Positive Jobs Data from Paychex, JOLTS Hints at Divide, State AI Laws Are Key · June 11, 2026 · 11 min
• Optimism Wanes but SMB Health Solid, Burnout on Rise, States Step Up AI Laws · June 4, 2026 · 8 min
• Savannah Bananas Owner Jesse Cole: The $0 Marketing Strategy That Built a 35-Million-Follower Brand · June 2, 2026 · 27 min
• Producer Price Index Worrisome, World Cup Pitch on Tipping, Claude SMB Training · May 21, 2026 · 11 min
• The World Cup Is Coming, Is Your Business Ready? · May 19, 2026 · 29 min
• Tariff Refunds, Hiring Is Steady, Financial Forecast on Agentic AI Commerce · May 14, 2026 · 11 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast podcast page.