Fintech Leaders Josh Reeves, CEO of Gusto – Building a $9.6 Billion Company to Serve Small Businesses
Dec 3, 2024
Josh Reeves, CEO and Co-founder of Gusto, leads one of the largest HR and payroll companies dedicated to small businesses. He shares insights on finding product-market fit in a complex sector and building Gusto’s embedded fintech strategy. The discussion emphasizes the evolving role of a CEO, focusing on strategic leadership and talent management. Reeves also highlights the importance of partnerships and customer feedback in enhancing services, as well as the story behind Gusto’s piggy mascot, Penny, which symbolizes reliability and support.
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Early Target Audience
- Gusto intentionally targeted non-tech SMBs early on.
- They wanted to prove their product's value through organic growth and word-of-mouth referrals.
Co-founder Backgrounds
- Gusto's co-founders, all electrical engineers, had family experience with small business struggles.
- Their personal experiences fueled their desire to create a better solution for payroll and HR.
Gusto's Positioning
- Gusto positions itself as a 'people platform,' not just a payroll or HR provider.
- It aims to be a comprehensive partner, addressing various pain points for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).