Send us a text

Are you unwittingly turning away potential customers because of an inaccessible website? Digital marketing expert Elizabeth Orley shares her personal awakening to the importance of accessibility after breaking her arm and suddenly finding herself unable to use a computer mouse with her dominant hand. This eye-opening experience transformed her understanding of how digital spaces can either welcome or exclude users based on their abilities.

Contrary to popular belief, digital accessibility isn't just about accommodating people with permanent disabilities. It benefits anyone who might be experiencing temporary limitations, aging-related changes in dexterity, or even someone who's simply forgotten their reading glasses. As Orley points out, "If we're not designing for everybody, then what are we doing?"

Beyond the ethical imperative, there are compelling business reasons to prioritize accessibility. The same elements that make your website accessible to screen readers—like proper heading structure and descriptive alt text—also improve your SEO performance. Google's algorithms crawl websites similarly to how accessibility tools do, making accessibility and search visibility two sides of the same coin.

Small business owners should be particularly concerned about the legal risks of inaccessible websites. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires digital spaces to be accessible, and lawyers are increasingly targeting non-compliant sites. Even if your business operates from a state without strict accessibility laws, you can be sued by customers from California or New York if you sell to those markets. With settlements averaging $15,000-$20,000 (not including remediation costs), accessibility isn't just good practice—it's protection against potentially devastating legal expenses.

Ready to make your digital presence more accessible? Start by using free tools like WAVE (wave.webaim.org) or Google's Page Speed tool to evaluate your current compliance. For social media, ensure all information appears in your post text rather than only in graphics, and always add descriptive alt text to images. When posting videos, manually review auto-generated captions for accuracy, knowing that 80% of videos are watched with no sound.

Take the first step toward digital accessibility today. Your customers—present and future—will thank you for it.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

Send us a text

Ever find yourself dreading those human resources responsibilities that come with running your business? You're not alone. Many small business owners view HR as a necessary evil – a department that exists to say "no" and create endless rules. Julie Wheeler of Clarity HR is on a mission to change that perception.

In this enlightening conversation, Julie shares how she accidentally fell into HR and discovered her passion for helping businesses succeed through better people management. With 23 years of experience and a background in employment law, she brings unique insights into why small businesses struggle with human resources and how fractional HR services can transform that relationship.

The concept is brilliantly simple: get professional HR expertise for the exact amount of time you need it. Whether that's two hours weekly or twenty, fractional HR provides small businesses with a resource that understands their unique culture and challenges without the overhead of a full-time position. Julie explains how this approach helps business owners stop procrastinating on difficult employee decisions – often the most costly mistake they make.

Perhaps most valuable is Julie's practical advice on employee handbooks (they're not written in stone!), having difficult conversations with team members (they actually want clear expectations), and avoiding the compliance pitfalls that trap so many businesses. With over 80% of employers unknowingly violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, having expert guidance can save you from substantial penalties.

Ready to take off that HR hat and focus on growing your business? Discover how Clarity HR's hands-on approach differs from typical consultants and PEOs. Their team doesn't just provide template solutions – they become an extension of your organization, helping create systems that reflect your unique culture while protecting you from costly mistakes. Connect with Julie and start transforming your approach to people management today.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

Send us a text

Ever wonder why finding a good health insurance broker feels impossible, especially as a small business owner? Alice Rhodes from AUI pulls back the curtain on the often-mysterious world of employee benefits with refreshing candor and deep expertise from her 25-year career.

"I never just send stuff because their head's going to pop off," Alice explains, highlighting her personalized approach to guiding small businesses through the complex insurance landscape. While most brokers overwhelm clients with 80-page quotes and disappear until renewal time, Alice emphasizes the importance of regular communication and truly understanding each business's unique needs.

The podcast tackles common misconceptions head-on. Contrary to popular belief, working with a broker doesn't increase your insurance costs – carriers set the commissions regardless of whether you work directly with them or through an agency. Alice shares a compelling success story where shopping around helped a 20-employee business upgrade from a $3,000 deductible plan to a $500 deductible while simultaneously saving 20% on premiums.

For businesses under 50 employees (where health insurance isn't legally required), Alice outlines various options beyond traditional group plans, including Health Reimbursement Arrangements and voluntary benefits that cost employers nothing while giving employees access to valuable group rates. She explains how self-funded plans provide valuable insights into utilization patterns, allowing businesses to better educate employees about preventive care and other benefits.

The conversation serves as both a wake-up call and a roadmap. If you haven't heard from your benefits broker since your last renewal, you're likely missing opportunities for significant savings and improved coverage. Your broker should be reaching out approximately every six months, not just when it's time to renew your policy.

Whether you're a business owner frustrated with rising premiums or an HR professional trying to maximize your benefits budget, this episode delivers practical insights you can implement immediately. Connect with Alice on LinkedIn or call 1-800-671-7665 to transform your approach to employee benefits from a necessary evil into a strategic advantage.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.