Jim Floyd with Fulton Bank knows that partnerships are essential, especially in business. Organizations can pool their resources and knowledge to achieve their goals by working together. A partnership can also help spread support when starting a new business, making the venture more likely to succeed. 

Of course, choosing the right partner is essential to forming a successful partnership. Jim has been very happy with the Fulton Bank/FINSYNC partnership. He has been a great resource to small businesses and is proficient in asking the right questions to determine if they would be a good fit for FINSYNC. Read more about his process below. 

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I would definitely say working with the audience base that we do, especially with so many small business owners. I like that we work with them from the infancy stages and watch them grow. I have always enjoyed working with the little guys, and then after a year or two, hopefully, they aren’t little anymore. 

There are a lot of things to do out there; if you have a passion for something, you can more than likely make it into a business if you put everything into it. Some companies today weren’t even available when I was a kid. 

What is your favorite part of being on the Fulton Bank team?

I have been with Fulton for seven years. Through college and being out and about, I like that it is a small enough bank where you don’t feel like just a number. There is always a path to the next step. But we are not a small bank, so we still get a foothold and are a fairly recognizable brand.

How do you locate business owners who may be a good match for FINSYNC?

Quite honestly, it is so basic in nature. FINSYNC has been a big help because we have never had a payroll service. We have always had direct deposit facilitation. But everything else, the whole nine yards, the accounting, bookkeeping, taxes, and insurance, we have never been able to offer that in a full suite. So when I am talking to a business owner, I ask them how their payroll looks today. Are they still cutting paper checks? Are they paying for a big company to handle their payroll? 

What is your approach like?

I tell them that we partner with a payroll company, and it is co-branded, so there is still a Fulton Bank touch. Then I mention this partner also specializes in the cash flow space. 

I ask them if they want to schedule a demo and try something new. It doesn’t cost anything, and you guys take it from there. 

Do you think your customers struggle with other software solutions?

Yes, some people like the interface other software has but don’t like the à la carte charges. Also, other customer service teams are not there to assist. 

So, the service with the FINSYNC partnership is parallel with Fulton Bank’s customer service. 

What do you like best about FINSYNC?

Internally, it is a process in which I know I can scratch the surface and get someone’s interest, and then FINSYNC will take care of them from there. I like that the partnership process is easy and smooth. You do an excellent job of keeping us in the loop and taking care of the customer. 

Jim is a shining example of what can happen when individuals work together. Companies, when correctly aligned, can create a win-win situation that benefits everyone involved. 

How FINSYNC Can Help

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

We are living in a time when it is easy to lose sight of what really matters. It’s not just about material things; we need more human connections. Technology can be a fabulous tool that makes our lives easier, but sometimes it overshadows the impact of talking to someone over the phone about an issue. 

Joy Froehlich with Fulton Bank is featured this month for our Banker Spotlight Interview. Read more about her journey with FINSYNC below. 

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Providing a service that works for our customers. I have a lot of healthcare sales experience. Then in the early 2000s, I went into banking and have been happy ever since.

What is your favorite part of being on the Fulton Banking team?

I worked for 16 years in a large bank. I should have left long ago because Fulton Bank’s culture is phenomenal. I have never been happier in a job. I have been here for seven years and think it is the best. At my age, to be in a workplace where you are very happy is like having the golden ticket. 

In my later chapters, life just keeps getting better and better. I know people want success early in life, but are they really prepared for it? 

How do you locate business owners who may be a good match for FINSYNC?

A lot of those conversations happen at the branch. If we are with a new customer, we might ask them about their merchant processing. After understanding their primary interests, we tell them about representing FINSYNC. We say we represent both cash management and merchant service. The same goes for ACH origination, remote deposits, etc. A tremendous amount of these conversations are happening within the financial sector. 

What is your approach like?

I have to be a good listener. I am not customer-facing; I am on the telephone. I got a referral from one of my partners on the merchant side. She reported the customer was needing a payroll provider. I told them about FINSYNC and that it wouldn’t hurt to do a demo. 

After the demo, he liked the platform but wanted to check with someone in his network that was having trouble getting back to him. I said that was fine and asked him when he needed to cut payroll for his employees. He said next week. I told him I didn’t mean to put any pressure on him, but most people can’t wait for their paycheck; they depend on this to be on time. He thought about it and then agreed. 

I kept thinking, what if that were me and I needed to buy groceries? He was super tolerant, and it worked to his advantage, and he will be better off!

What do you like best about FINSYNC?

I can’t say enough about FINSYNC; it is competitive, it works for our customers, and everything has been seamless. I couple that with Jack Stone, the Director of Partner and Customer Development. Jack and I work very well together; we have a similar style. Jack is hands-on and very patient. He understands if they have a hard time getting onto the call. He makes every effort to talk to them about FINSYNC. His knowledge and follow-ups are spot-on. 

I really appreciate FINSYNC’s availability, sales representation, and customer service. Emails are great to a certain level, but they can be misinterpreted. We are losing that human connection in society, and getting people on the phone is getting harder and harder. I am glad FINSYNC hasn’t lost sight of this.

Looking for a place to find small business news and tips? Visit our FINSYNC blog to stay current on financial, economical, and societal current events. 

If a small business owner purchases a software tool to help them run their organization, it doesn’t make sense for that software company to charge a fee when their customer has a question about using their technology. This is exactly what happens when learning other accounting systems available today. 

Our Spotlight Interview this month with WaFd Banker, Wendy Clarke, focuses on giving business owners the tools they need without charging extra costs to use the software. FINSYNC has a no-gated policy which means everyone that uses the platform can use all of the features in use today and future releases happening every week. FINSYNC also does not charge for customer service; this support is available via phone, email, or chat to all of our customers. 

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I enjoy helping customers the most. I mostly work with small business owners, and I like learning about their businesses, what their goals are, and helping them achieve them. 

What is your favorite part of being part of the WaFd banking team?

The relationships here at WaFd. I work with a great group of people. Everyone is so positive and supportive that if I need help, there is always someone I can reach out to. We are a team. We all have the same inspiration for helping our clients succeed. 

How do you locate business owners that may be a good match for FINSYNC?

Usually, I just bring it up in conversation. I ask them questions about what they are doing for their accounting needs. I find out how they process payments if they are invoicing and how many people they employ. I also ask if they are interested in any payroll services. 

What is your approach like?

I make sure to ask both new and existing clients. One person I spoke with told me he wanted to process ACH payments and also wanted to be able to receive these. I told him about FINSYNC and asked him if he would be interested in talking to someone, and he said, Yes!

Another owner has been in business for 3-4 years. His fiancée had just quit her job and managed the business full-time. She talked about how Quickbooks was such a struggle and wanted to use something easier. 

Do your customers often struggle with other software solutions, such as Quickbooks?

I have never used Quickbooks personally, but I have heard all these nightmare stories about how people hate it. It makes some people feel stupid. QB has all these features but is hard to learn. If you manage to get someone on the phone, they charge you for that. 

What do you like best about FINSYNC?

You don’t charge if people have questions! The service I received from you guys has been great. After I put in a referral, Jack gets back to me right away. If I have any questions, he helps me immediately. I really appreciate that. 

FINSYNC shares the same values we do, making it a good fit. You really care about our customers and want to see them succeed and get the service they deserve. 

What other “banking tools” could we provide you to help you succeed?

I got a lot out of the demo with Jack and learned quite a bit from that. But originally, we got all these pamphlets and brochures, and I wish those could be more clear about what FINSYNC does. 

Wendy, thank you for your continued support of our accounting platform. Your clients are fortunate to have someone as passionate and dedicated on their side.

FINSYNC and WaFd have formed an effective partnership committed to helping our customers. We want to be there when it matters most and walk you through your financial management journey. Our local team offers personal support via email by phone, and our live chat functionality allows clients quick and easy access when they need it most. 

Reach out to FINSYNC if you know someone that could be featured in our Spotlight Interview series. We are better together and welcome new partnerships with open arms. 

For Seth Larson, truck driving wasn’t just a job; it was a way of life. But after he and his wife welcomed their first son Wade Quinn Larson, Seth knew he wanted to be present for the most critical moments in his son’s life, and his priorities quickly changed. He set his sights on a new career that would allow him to be at home with his family, so he started his own company called Alamo Dispatch.

Seth is passionate about his work and takes great pride in helping others achieve their goals. He understands owning his own business isn’t always easy but worth it. Because he clearly understands his “why,” he has created a successful business and been the loving father he always wanted.

Tell me about your company and what inspired you to start.

Alamo Dispatch is a truck dispatching company. We receive a load request from our suppliers and connect these jobs with our drivers to complete the delivery. These jobs can transfer pellets for manufacturing, dog food, or other goods that need to be delivered quickly and efficiently.

I was a driver for six years, and I have a 4-year-old kid. There is a lot of work in transportation that doesn’t require being on the road. I knew I didn’t want to miss out on being a father to my amazing boy!

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?

Right now, inflation is a challenge. The job rates are not matching up with the increasing fuel prices. The trucking industry has had a steady decrease in drivers over 5-10 years. Last year, trucking companies in the United States suffered a record deficit of 80,000 drivers. 

What’s the best thing about being a small business owner? 

The money I make goes to my family. I start early and work hard to accomplish my goals and not someone else’s quota. I have the flexibility to get things done and still be a family man. The decisiveness of making decisions and learning from the result of those decisions along the way. Learning is definitely a huge part of being a small business owner.

What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?

I am part of a group of other business owners, and we advise and support one another. They recommended that Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union start my business account since they are well regarded with the group. 

Someone from the business department called after I opened my account and asked if I was looking for software to do invoicing. The banker recommended FINSYNC as a great resource. It wasn’t until I scheduled a demo that I understood FINSYNC is more than invoicing. I was all set to contact ADP for payroll and Quickbooks for cash flow, and I learned from Jack that FINSYNC could do it all. Jack mentioned that FINSYNC syncs up well with my bank Randolph Brooks, which happens automatically.

What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?

The price is right, and there aren’t all these add-on costs that other accounting software charges. The payments, accounting, and payroll are the three services that matter to me. It is nice that everything is all in one place at an affordable price.

All of my drivers are 1099 contractors. They are easy to pay; the system tells me when they have opened the invoice, so I know when they have had their eyes on it. Additionally, we receive money from our clients that need their products transported.

Also, I appreciate your customer service. It is so difficult to get someone on the phone in today’s world, and you are sitting on hold all of the time. But I have spoken with Clark and know I can contact him anytime. He always responds quickly with a solution, and he has excellent communication skills. 

What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?

I was only 14 when I opened my first checking account with RBFCU. This is a big military town in San Antonio, and Randolph Brooks was connected to the airforce. My dad was active in the military, so we both set up an account. It made sense to create my business account here too.

When I first started using FINSYNC, I felt like it wasn’t syncing every day. I spoke with your customer service, and they looked into it. Now it syncs right away. It also has a “manual sync” option, but I rarely use this anymore because I see the transactions right away.

How does having FINSYNC connected to your accounts make your business life easier?

FINSYNC syncs up with Randolph Brooks so cleanly. I know that other accounting software does this too. FINSYNC does my payments, accounting, and payroll just as well as the bigger names in this industry. There are no compromises, and I have everything that I need all in one place at market standard for a far lower cost. 

It is easy to think that because something is cheaper, you aren’t getting the same quality or missing out on certain features. But that’s not the case. You guys are providing services just as well as everyone else and at a lower cost. What’s not to like about that?

What advice do you have for those who are thinking about owning their own business?

The pennies matter, and it is important to understand how much cash is coming in and out. Knowing your “why” will help get you there.

What features could FINSYNC implement that will make your life a little easier?

I wish the timekeeping features were more robust. If I am using the billing system, it is clear how it has been updated; it is so clean and easy to use. Every step of the way, I can download pdfs and access everything from one place. It is far more polished on the accounting side than on the timekeeping product. 

If you’re looking for more helpful tips, the FINSYNC blog is a great resource. Maybe your successful business will be featured one day!

In today’s world, it can be tempting to choose the most expensive option, thinking it must be the best. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes the cheaper option can be better than the other more expensive tools. As a consumer and business owner, it’s important to know that just because something costs less doesn’t mean losing out on value or functionality. Often these lower-cost options will turn out to be superior across the board. 

This was a prominent topic during this week’s featured banker interview. Colleen Ward understands the needs of small businesses and has been a WaFd veteran for over 10 years. She is an experienced banking professional who understands what her clients need to succeed. Colleen enjoys delighting her customers when she can recommend an accounting platform that does everything the big brand names do, but for a fraction of the cost.

Read more about how Colleen recommends FINSYNC below.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Teamwork and brainstorming solutions to customer issues. I enjoy getting to know and helping the customers.

What is your favorite part of being part of your banking team?

I have been part of WaFd for ten years. I love the sense of community my team brings because we really support each other. 

How do you locate business owners that may be a good match for FINSYNC?

I ask them if they have Quickbooks or another accounting software they are using. If they already have a platform, I ask them how open they are to exploring a similar software at a lower price, this usually gets their attention. 

I speak to both new businesses just starting their first account and existing customers as well. The more people I talk to, the more likely I will locate members that would benefit from FINSYNC.

Do you think your customers struggle with other software solutions such as Quickbooks?

I often question the value of Quickbooks and if I can save our clients money down the road, I am happy to provide an alternative. So many times business owners immediately sign up for Quickbooks by default because it is a familiar name. But I want to show them that they don’t have to spend so much on the same features. In fact, I have been told that FINSYNC is much easier to use. 

What do you like best about FINSYNC?

I like that it is an all-in-one platform. It is easy to recommend a financial platform with everything right there in one place. My clients don’t have time to open different tools and download account data into multiple systems. 

In today’s economy, we are all looking for ways to save money. And when you find something that can be just as effective but at a lower price point, why not try it out? You might end up happy with your choice and pleased by how much more efficiently and effectively you will be able to grow your business. 

Take advantage of FINSYNC’s all-in-one accounting platform and start your free trial today!