Steven Harris with Journey Payroll, PHX and Erik Verryden with NexGen Partner Strategies E38
Local First Arizona returns for the Arizona Good Business Podcast! Our VP of Business Development, Thomas Barr, joins Erik Verryden of NexGen Partner Strategies and Stephen Harris of Journey Payroll to talk business, community and building relationships.
As two long time partners and members of Local First, Erik and Steven share their energy and unique approach to doing business throughout Arizona.
Businesses from all industries will hear interesting stories, approaches and a fun conversation about growing successful companies that care about the community in Arizona.
Journey Payroll & HR is a leading and local full service payroll company They lead with heart to provide a refreshing way to Payroll & HR for small businesses. Each client experiences a dedicated Payroll Specialist, along with an amazing team behind them to ensure their client’s success.
Coupled with simple, and efficient systems to streamline processes, they bring the best of both worlds through high end technology and dedicated local service. With their 98% client retention YOY, Journey prides itself on making sure their client’s payroll is processed accurately and timely, as if it were their own business, because they CARE.
Steven Harris has been in the Payroll & HR industry for over 15 years, with more than 6 of those years owning and operating Journey Payroll & HR here in Phoenix. He launched Journey’s PHX location in 2017 with his business partner, Jaime Anderson, to build a strong and caring work family supporting small businesses within the community they appreciate so much.
As an advocate for entrepreneurship and working with thousands of business owners throughout his career, he has a strong passion for helping other entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and team leaders achieve their perception of success and happiness.
This passion has turned into purposeful work driving him to bring added value by educating on a framework he created called, the OPPO FLOW Mindset. He facilitates this through team workshops, speaking engagements, and digital content.
Steven is a writer for his weekly newsletter, the OPPO FLOW Storybook and a co-host on the SuccessFlow Podcast.
Connect with Steven on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
NexGen Partner Strategies is a locally owned / operated merchant services company that provides everything to a business from integrated payment processing services to all types of point of sale devices.
Erik Verryden has served in the merchant services industry for 20 years. He founded Phoenix-based National Processing Solutions (NPS) in 2003, with aspirations to bring a positive culture to the payments industry by placing charitable organizations at its core. Offering transaction solutions to small and large businesses across the nation, NPS quickly became one of the fastest growing independent payment companies in the Southwest.
Through NPS Gives, 20 percent of each transactional charge is donated to a nonprofit of each merchant’s selection. To date, NPS Gives has donated over $300,000 to more than 75 organizations across the country and has truly become a friendly partner to many business owners and communities.
After many years of directly immersing himself and NPS in business and nonprofit communities, Erik found that he had developed meaningful relationships with industry leaders and organizations who were also invested in helping entrepreneurs and the causes dear to them.
In 2019, NPS transitioned to NexGen Partner Strategies, which provides diversified services that offer convenient, end-to-end business solutions to a variety of business owners. Services include payment processing, payroll and HR services, insurance, working capital and telemedicine. Under NexGen Partner Strategies, NPS Gives continues to carry out great work in the community.
“When I entered the merchant services industry in college, I manifested the idea of offering full-service business solutions created by synergetic partnerships, all under one roof” said Verryden. “That dream is being realized, and best of all, we are highly integrated with the organizations that our clients deeply value. NexGen Partner Strategies could not ask for more.”
Verryden is certified as an Electronic Transaction Association Payment Professional (ETA CPP). He currently serves on the Arizona Heart Foundation’s board of directors and is a founding member of the Phoenix Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Erik was born and raised in Portland, where he studied business. He frequently volunteers with Helping Hands for Freedom and co-owns Crossfit Blur in Scottsdale. He is passionate about fitness, the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
About Arizona Good Business
What is good business? What are local businesses doing to build a better Arizona?
Join Arizona Good Business to hear from local companies who are:
- Centering purpose at the forefront of business
- Creating social well-being for the community
- Prioritizing sustainability and positive environmental practices
- Growing strong company cultures through building authentic teams
- Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are involved in all business decisions
Arizona Good Business features local business leaders that are redefining what it means to do good business.
About Your Host
Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America. He advocates for a strong local business community that contributes to building vibrancy, equity, and prosperity across the state. A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Thomas leads the business coalition of Local First Arizona by advocating for the economic and cultural benefits provided by building strong local economies.
Thomas steers the strategic direction of LFA’s major programs and initiatives as well as the engagement of over 3000 businesses across Arizona. As Executive Director, Thomas guides a team of statewide senior directors overseeing the execution of LFA’s communication strategy, major initiatives and key partnerships, as well as the collaboration of over 30 staff implementing work in entrepreneurship programs, small business advocacy, local food initiatives, sustainability, urban development and community building. He frequently speaks to groups locally and nationally, presenting the impact of Local First Arizona and the importance of local economy work in building prosperity.
Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas has participated in volunteering his time to many causes and organizations throughout the Valley including Young Nonprofit Professionals – Phoenix, Equality Arizona, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Heritage Square Foundation and Phoenix Legal Action Network. Additionally, Thomas is a 2018 Phoenix Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, alumni of Arizona Leading for Change, and current participant in Valley Leadership Institute’s 40th cohort.
Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.
