As Congress works through the tax and spending bill, Gene Marks recognizes the challenges ahead but says he thinks it ultimately will pass. He shares insights on the importance of keeping the tax credits for small businesses. That might lift their spirits but, according to the Small Business Optimism Index, not much else is rosy. Sales volumes are down, plans for capital outlay are down, and that has optimism down for a fourth month. Gene also talks about the buy-now pay-later service Klarna doing a 180-degree turn, choosing human hires over AI after going all in on AI three years ago.

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 encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

This week’s guest, employment law expert Ben Ebbink of Fisher Phillips, tackles your biggest questions about President Trump’s first 100 days head-on. Wondering if your DEI policies are still compliant? Not sure how executive orders will affect hiring and workplace rules? Curious how state laws come into play? Ben breaks down the red flags, offers practical compliance tips, and clarifies what’s actually changed for employers in light of Trump’s recent actions. Tune in to unravel exactly how executive orders, DEI policies, and shifting regulations could impact your workplace.

Join Ben and Gene for a more in-depth review of Trump’s first 100 days in this on-demand webinar: https://bit.ly/3FEWlVU

Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and welcome 01:51 – Webinar overview 03:01 – Is it time to revert your DEI policies? 05:49 – Managing risk in DEI programs 07:37 – DEI red flags that may attract scrutiny 11:10 – Demographic grant and scholarship programs 12:17 – Should you still call yourself an equal opportunity employer? 13:05 – EEO-1 reporting requirements and what changed 14:49 – Set-asides for women or minority-Owned businesses 16:57 – Do you need to rewrite your employee handbook? 19:33 – Disparate impact and disparate treatment 24:02 – AI legislation and state actions 28:31 – State vs federal law: Where does authority really lie? 31:36 – Wrap up and thank you

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 encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

The U.S. and China begin the tariff walk-back dance that will last for 90 days, giving businesses time to make alternative plans. Gene Marks says those doing business with China will have to make plans because he doesn’t expect the volatility being created to clear up soon. Additional relief is coming for businesses who use independent contractors, as Gene explains that the USDOL will stop enforcing the 2024 Independent Contractor Rule. Owners can help employees in default with student loans by taking advantage of tax credits in place through 2025, and Gene shares how. Listen to the episode.

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 encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

The number of federal Executive Orders issued by the president since Jan. 20 has created confusion for some business owners. Host Gene Marks moderated a webinar that produced additional questions from attendees, so he’s using this episode of the podcast to offer clarification as well as his own take around the EOs on DEI. He talks about job postings, preferred gender pronouns on websites and in other company communications, “gender vs. sex”, the exclusion of impact on veterans, how these might affect EEO-1 reporting, and more.

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 encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

What do Barstool Sports and Food52 have in common? Visionary leadership, incredible growth, and today’s podcast guest, Erika Ayers Badan. After nearly a decade as the CEO of Barstool Sports, turning it into a cultural juggernaut, Erika has taken the reins at Food52, where she’s bringing her passion for design, food, and empowering women to the forefront. Tune in as Erika talks managing young teams, shaping resilient work cultures, staying ahead of trends (hello, AI), and the lessons she’s carrying from Barstool’s locker-room vibes to Food52’s stylish kitchen counters. If you’re hungry for entrepreneurial insights and brand-building wisdom, this episode is a must-listen.

Burnout is bad for employees and business. Spot the signs, tackle the causes, and create a successful workplace: https://bit.ly/4jSaJJq

Your workforce is your superpower — but only with the right planning. This webinar shows you how to boost productivity, close skills gaps, and hire a team that thrives: https://bit.ly/4iUbJM7

Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and welcome 01:47 – Erika’s career journey 04:06 – Pivoting towards women-led workspaces 06:10 – Lessons learned at Barstool 09:07 – Motivating and leading young employees 12:18 – Building company culture 17:34 – Managing diverse teams 18:31 – The importance of feedback 21:32 – Remote work vs. office collaboration 23:16 – Brand-building lessons from Barstool 26:11 – Leveraging digital creators at Food52 27:24 – The role of AI in business growth 29:08 – Wrap up and thank you

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 encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

As the president begins to walk back on some of the tariffs with China, Gene Marks says what will remain after negotiations are still significantly high percentage rates on goods coming in from China, which will still impact many U.S. businesses. He also shares insights from economists looking at interest rates and how a risk of recession and lost jobs caused by tariffs might push the Federal Reserve to nudge the rates down. And for entrepreneurs, the best place for start-ups is Florida, which has five of the top six cities based on certain criteria. Sunny days ahead in the Sunshine State. Listen to the podcast.

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 encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Tariffs are a major concern for some major industries and confidence is waning, with 40% of contractors worried about slowdowns to profit margins and auto dealers seeing rapid sales declines. Gene Marks says negotiations between nations could resolve much of this, but China remains an issue. He also shares insights to work on culture and employee check-ins as more than half the nation showed up in a study as sufferers of “quiet cracking” – a slow and steady dissatisfaction with the workplace. Gene also agrees with tech analysts that in the fast-paced AI world, businesses should take a slower approach to rolling out the solutions to ensure more understanding and governance. Listen to the podcast.

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 encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Immigration compliance is a hot topic that businesses simply can’t afford to ignore. With increasing scrutiny from government agencies and hefty fines on the line, staying on top of your I-9s has never been more critical. This week on THRIVE, Gene sits down with John Fay, immigration attorney and director of Product Strategy at Equifax Workforce Solutions, to cut through the noise and break down exactly what business owners need to know. You’ll learn about common mistakes, the consequences of making them (hint: they’re costly), and practical advice for protecting your business. Don’t miss this timely conversation — it’s essential listening for any employer.

Get an in-depth tutorial on how to prepare for a surprise audit during this on-demand webinar: https://bit.ly/3GeFI3x

[Frequently Updated] Here’s your guide to all things Form I-9: https://bit.ly/3Y98pFp

Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and welcome 00:55 – Introduction to John Fay and his expertise 01:17 – Form I-9 overview 05:09 – Employer verification process 06:34 – Document retention and review 08:13 – Challenges in document verification 10:00 – Advice for employers amid increased scrutiny 12:26 – Employee protections and obligations 14:14 – ICE inspections and potential penalties 19:19 – E-Verify overview 23:20 – Future of immigration compliance 26:09 – Wrap up and thank you

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 encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.