### Welcome to Built to Work

**Colin (Host):**
Welcome to Built to Work, the podcast that gets its hands dirty, dives into the grit, and uncovers the heart of what makes the blue-collar world tick. I’m Colin, your host, sitting down with the people who keep our world running. From those tackling the tough jobs no one else dares to do, to HR professionals working overtime to find the labor force we desperately need. Whether you’re in the trenches or behind the scenes, this podcast is for anyone who values hard work, determination, and stories that build the backbone of our workforce. So, grab your gloves, your coffee, or your clipboard. It’s time to get to work.

**Colin:**
Welcome to another Built to Work podcast. I am here today with the one and only Debbie Patrick from Lever One. Thank you so much, Debbie, for joining me.

**Debbie Patrick:**
I’m excited to be here with you.

**Colin:**
We have worked with you now for, I believe, it’s four years. We brought you in on our previous company because Lever One provides awesome services, outsourced HR, benefits, payroll, and PEO stuff. Tell us about what Lever One does.

### Understanding Lever One

**Debbie:**
Lever One is a PEO, a professional employer organization. It’s a partnership between a company and us to have outsourcing of HR, employee benefits, workers’ compensation for some, and payroll administration.

**Colin:**
And what do you do?

**Debbie:**
I’m an account executive on the business development team. I work with company owners and executives to see if they are a fit for a partnership with Lever One. I help them identify what they might not even realize they need and make custom solutions for them.

**Colin:**
I can tell you from personal experience, what I needed that I didn’t know I needed was something that you guys provided on our last company.

### The Benefits of Outsourcing

**Colin:**
We provide outsourced services and I’m a big proponent of it due to the benefits it provides to companies. It allows you to focus on your core competency while outsourcing back-office stuff.

**Debbie:**
Absolutely, focusing on core competencies is essential. If someone is making a product, they can focus on manufacturing and leave HR to us if they bring in Lever One.

**Colin:**
If someone contacts you and says they’re growing and don’t know what to do with HR, what steps do you take?

**Debbie:**
It’s a lot of conversation and asking questions to determine what they really need. It involves understanding turnover rates, roles being vacated, and their future growth plans.

**Colin:**
Having an outsourced partner means having a team supporting you, right?

**Debbie:**
Yes, it’s about having that village to help. We create distribution emails to keep communication open so everyone knows what’s happening at each step.

### Challenges and Compliance

**Colin:**
Within Lever One, you have a lot of employees to manage across 50 states. That sounds complicated.

**Debbie:**
Yes, it is, but we have a strong compliance and HR team to handle any needs, despite being spread in different states.

**Colin:**
What’s a situation where a customer wasn’t a good fit for you?

**Debbie:**
There have been instances where compliance was an issue, like not wanting to pay taxes on gratuities. We choose not to move forward because we need to adhere to compliance.

### Final Thoughts

**Colin:**
Outsourcing allows companies to focus on growth while experts handle other areas. What’s the biggest benefit you see?

**Debbie:**
The growth of their business. They can focus on their core and know we’re handling everything else.

**Colin:**
Lever One has been beneficial over multiple companies for us. I appreciate your time today, Debbie.

**Debbie:**
Thank you for having me and if you need a great PEO, reach out to us at Lever One. We’re ready to help.

**Colin:**
Thank you so much, Debbie. Glad to have had this conversation.