Reflections from Gusto NYC on Innovation and Supporting Small Business Growth
A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to spend time at the Gusto NYC office as part of the Gusto Partner Advisory Council (GPAC). The experience was energizing, insightful, and a powerful reminder of why we value our partnership with Gusto so deeply at Rising Tide HR.
As a GPAC member, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate directly with the Gusto executive team and the incredible people behind the platform that so many small businesses rely on every day. The visit gave us meaningful time to share feedback, discuss the evolving needs of small businesses, and contribute insights that help shape the future of HR, payroll, and accounting technology.
What stood out most during the trip, aside from the incredible panoramic views from Gusto’s 52nd-floor office near Penn Station (see below image), was how intentional the entire Gusto team is about listening. Across conversations with leadership, product teams, service teams, and innovators across the organization, there was a genuine commitment to understanding the real-world challenges that accountants, HR professionals, and small business owners face each and every day. From product direction to service enhancements, it was exciting to get an exclusive look at what’s ahead and see how focused Gusto remains on simplifying and improving the experience for small businesses.
One of the most valuable parts of the experience was connecting with fellow accounting and business owners advisory professionals who are also deeply embedded in helping small businesses succeed using Gusto. Spending time learning from peers, sharing best practices, and exchanging ideas reinforced something we see every day at Rising Tide HR - the right technology paired with the right professional support can have a tremendous impact on small business growth and operations.
At Rising Tide HR, we work with many growing businesses that need practical, people-focused solutions for payroll, onboarding, benefits, compliance, and HR support. Gusto continues to be one of our favorite platforms because it helps simplify processes that are often overwhelming for small business owners. More importantly, it creates a better employee experience while giving business owners confidence that critical HR and payroll functions are handled efficiently and accurately.
A major highlight of the trip was celebrating Gusto reaching the incredible milestone of 500,000 customers. Seeing that achievement displayed on a billboard in Times Square was exciting on its own, but what made the moment truly memorable was watching the reaction from Gusto employees. The pride, excitement, and emotion across the team’s faces said everything about the culture they’ve built and the impact they know they’re making for small businesses across the country.
That moment captured what makes Gusto special. Behind the technology is a team that genuinely cares about helping businesses and their people thrive.
I left New York feeling inspired, appreciative, and even more excited about the future of our partnership with Gusto. Thank you to the entire Gusto team for the opportunity, the hospitality, the transparency, and the continued commitment to supporting the small business community. We’re so proud to partner with a company so dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and making work better for everyone.
