DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of a financial services company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC?

We were trying to mitigate the rising costs of our benefits plans as well as come up with compliant HR regulations and systems to stay on top of regional changes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In their work with us, they walked me through the differences between options and offered scope of what’s available in the market. That helped guide me to make the most educated decision possible based on all the knowledge they brought to the table. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with 3–4 people from their team. 

How did you come to work with DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC?

We’ve been networked together for many years. Their knowledge, approach, and sensitivity toward time helped us choose them. They also emphasized a relationship-driven engagement, which appealed to us.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2012, and they’re our ongoing HR consultant.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The explanations they provided about the differences between plans helped tremendously. They were willing to hold our hands and get on the phone whenever we needed help. Their team has always been there for everything from negotiating rates to addressing claims with the potential to be denied. It’s taken stress and headaches off of our shoulders.  

How did DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re amazing with their turnaround time. It never takes more than a day to get in touch with them with answers to our questions. If we send an email, they’ll respond in an hour or two. I judge their service based on turnaround times, and they’ve always communicated within a 24-hour window.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their hands-on approach, knowledge, and explanations were next to none.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

They do a wonderful job.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Working with them is very simple. Their president is even willing to get on the phone to walk through options. He’s always available when you need him.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a full-service financial planning company that specializes in high net worth individuals and small business owners. We’ve been in business for 30 years and about 150 million in assets under our management as well as over 100 million in insurance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC?

We’re using their services for employee benefits. They’re assisting us in offering retirement plans for the small businesses that we work with.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For all of our clients, we use them to assess the needs in regard to employee benefits. This includes medical, life insurance, or any other human resources-related employee benefits. He offers that through a variety of sources through his relationship with different firms.

From there, he becomes the point of contact between the client and those firms to ensure that they’re the right fit for each other. When they aren’t, he reviews and replaces service providers accordingly. He manages all of that relationship. 

What is the team composition?

We work solely with Danny (President, DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC). 

How did you come to work with DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC?

I’ve known Danny for 30 years since we both started businesses that offer different types of financial services to our clients. We’ve worked together for 30 years, as I’ve brought him into various relationships with my clients to provide his services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in the first quarter of 2001. Our teams have been working together ever since.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

He not only knows the industry very intimately, he provides a responsive, hands-on service to the client. Even with our smaller clients, he offers top-notch services. My clients have given glowing reviews about their experiences working with Danny. He’s been able to resolve their problems and assist clients with any issues that have come up.  

How did DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC perform from a project management standpoint?

He does many face-to-face meetings as well as emails and conference calls. No matter how we communicate, he’s very accessible and responsive. His hands-on, personal attitude has been a hallmark of his service.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In addition to his professionalism, he’s great at putting out fires and staying on top of clients. For instance, he’s proactive to changes and developments in the industry. When there are new products and services in the market, he knows about them before they’re commonplace in the industry. He’s proactive and well ahead of the curve.

Additionally, he helps people understand what could be complex information. He’s able to communicate technical information very clearly, so people are able to understand the services he’s providing. It’s been a pleasure to work with them.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be reluctant to involve him directly with your clients. He works very well with others and can loop his network into conversations to solve problems. Danny has plenty of experience to bring to the table, so take full advantage of his business experience and contacts.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner at a full-service accounting firm that works with small to mid-sized privately held businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC.?

We sought a company to present alternative options for benefits. With a growing company, we had a lot to manage such as recruiting, HR compliance, and rising insurance as well as payroll processing costs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC. found alternatives from the PEO and health insurance markets. Then, they presented different options of benefits for us to offer to our employees. Their team not only provided better benefit options than we had previously but also drove the costs down. Their team gave us access to better benefits than could’ve accessed as a small business.

What is the team composition?

I'm in contact with one person.

How did you come to work with DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC.?

I attended an educational seminar where A DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC. teammate presented on the Affordable Care Act. We developed a rapport such that he became a resource on health insurance compliance as the market changed. Our business relationship developed as they learned more. Their team educated us about PEOs and benefits, which is where our relationship is now. I also refer my clients that are good fits for PEOs or need education on benefits.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in late 2011 and our engagement’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We’re able to demonstrate a benefits package that firms our size don’t usually provide to potential employees. Specifically, our health insurance is far more beneficial than what we could’ve offered without DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC. It’s a marketing piece that attracts top talent.

How did DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC. perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re responsive via phone and email to my office manager, my staff, and me. If a team member doesn’t have an answer to our question immediately, they’ll get it quickly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team has many relationships. Unlike competitors, they’re able to present many different options.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’re doing a good job.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Get employee feedback about what they want to see. Ask what benefits they’re interested in accessing. They have ways to work those benefits into the company’s package at a reasonable price.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a CPA/PFS and a partner at a medium-sized CPA firm, with 40 years of experience. I’m also the president and managing director of the Shapiro Financial Planning Group, which is a full service comprehensive financial planning firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC.?

Our partnership with DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC. aims to help companies manage their employee benefits — specifically health insurance — plans.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our market is small- to medium-sized businesses. Danny (Partner, DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC.) has certain specialty areas in the employee benefits umbrella.

Over the years, we’ve been able to find several sophisticated ways to help maintain or even lower the cost and offer better quality benefits to businesses from five people to 5,000. We do this through a solution called a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), which allows smaller- to medium-sized companies to save a large amount on health insurance costs without sacrificing benefits. Depending on company demographics, health insurance prices can reduce by 30–40%, and it includes other supplemental benefits like 401k.

Danny and I partner together to provide these benefits. His resources are available to my clients, and we share in the fees together. 

What is the team composition?

I communicate directly with Danny.

What is the status of this engagement?

I began working with Danny in 2005, and we are still working together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC.'s services have been extremely positive in every account we’ve worked together. 

As the prices of health insurance skyrocket, there is more and more need for an experienced advisor to provide the best solution. Danny, sensitive to the cost of insurance, is dedicated to bringing the best possible coverage to small- and medium-sized businesses. 

Our clients are always happy with what he brings to the table, and I’m always confident in referring to him. He’s also very honest, and if he’s unable to provide significant benefits to or enhance the benefits experience of a certain firm, he will always speak up. Danny is extremely professional.

How did DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC. perform from a project management standpoint?

We set up our meetings by email. Often, I’m involved in the meetings with my clients, as I serve as their advisor and Danny as the expert.

What did you find most impressive about them?

His professionalism, honesty, experience, and knowledge are all impressive. 

Danny is supported by a full staff in his office, including an executive at the firm who is very knowledgeable in health, vision, and dental insurance. Danny is always comfortable relying on her expertise if he feels it will serve the client better. 

Also, whether he’s working with an insurance company or a PEO, he always deals with the highest level of management and is able to make deep relationships. Because of that, Danny is able to accomplish what others can’t. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. He is very considerate and responsive. Working with him, and DON’T SWEAT LIFE, INC. as a whole, has been a great experience. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Working with him is a no brainer. Especially in the PEO area, his expertise makes his services exceptionally valuable on a national level. If the opportunity to improve a company’s benefits is there, there’s a good chance Danny will be able to make it happen. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a managing partner of an auto finance company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire DON'T SWEAT LIFE, INC.?

We hired this company to consult us on our employee insurance and benefits.

SOLUTION

How did you select this firm and what were the deciding factors?

My business partner made initial contact with Robert through a business introduction. We decided to hire his firm because of the great recommendation as well as level of personal service.

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

Robert comes to our office as much as he is needed and walks us through the steps for enrollment, explains the pros and cons of each aspect, and is generally available for any questions or concerns anyone at our company has.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Two product specialists.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the engagement that demonstrate progress or success?

We had great results, better than expected after Robert helped us with all the enrollment, paperwork, and answered employee questions.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Amazing, Robert was always very communicative and prompt in getting us the forms and documents we needed for successful enrollment.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They are very professional, friendly, and knowledgeable about a variety of subjects, especially the healthcare and insurance industry.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Given the sheer amount of paperwork involved, Robert was highly organized and efficient, he's been doing this a long time and is prepared for many circumstances.