Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Pocius.
Hi Jonathan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started working with a CPA about 20 years ago. I was very enthusiastic about business and we decided to open up at that time a payroll company. At 20 this was a big opportunity where I got a chance to prove I could open, run and grow a successful business. He gave me the shot and I will be forever grateful for that. While I was growing the company I maintained full time college and work. It was a lot but worth it. After launching, the original business plan was not coming into fruition and I had the choice to change the plan or close up. I pivoted by spinning off of the CPA firm and personally leaning into sales to grow the company. We took off. Today we service over 1,300 customers, 40,000 employees nationwide. It was a good pivot.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! When you first start a business be prepared for the “beans and weanies” diet. For the first 3 years I think I lived off of ramen noodles and baked beans. It was tough. Being in my early early 20s I had to deal with being taken “legitimate” and credible. As we grew we hit different peaks and valleys that would require more capital or reduce our margins greatly. Every business has these peaks where to get to the next level it cost you. Making less, learning new strategies, adapting. We have been fortunate where we have grown every year since we opened. COVID was a hard time for most businesses, but we leaned into the difficult and the COVID years were some of our best growth years ever. Anytime we face difficulties as business leaders we can use it to catapult us to the next level if we choose. Every business will have struggles. The hardest thing to build is a sales force. I’ve always lived by the mantra, if you are the only rain maker, you don’t have a true business yet. Its the most difficult thing for small companies and takes a lot of risk and investment. In the end its worth it as you build a business with real value.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about PeopleWorX?
PeopleWorX is a full service workforce management company helping business with payroll, HR, benefits, timekeeping and more. Our goal is to help businesses build a people first strategy that balances boundaries with people. Building great businesses start with people (people and math). We help get the people equation right by focusing on best practices and strategies for small to medium sized businesses.
We are proud in how we are able to help businesses we sound strategy and not just simple payroll. Anyone can do payroll, but it takes true partners to understand a business and help them grow. We are different as we offer our “HR FrameWorX” which helps businesses walk through their HR strategy in a way they can handle and not overwhelm them with corporate jargon. Practical, People, Strategies.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Our industry is under going massive change right now. We saw Private Equity get involved and buy up a lot of companies and now they are exiting. The industry as a whole typically presents themselves as a SAAS based solution. The problem is with the amount of compliance employers face, they truly don’t understand it. You can’t be SAAS only when your customers don’t understand how to properly navigate the compliance. With many of my colleagues aging out, we have a great opportunity for acquisitions as well as market positioning. With the increase of compliance, a partner that can help build real strategy around their workforce is what businesses are looking for. That is what I am excited for. Payroll is the boring part, the people are what excites me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peopleworx.io
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peopleworxusa
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleworxusa/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PayrollServicesLLC
