Challenge:

Wave Sports + Entertainment, a fast-growing sports media production company, faced a significant challenge in managing its complex back-office operations. With operations spread across ten states, the company needed help with compliance, payroll, HR tasks, and financial management. Clayton Ward, VP of Finance at Wave, was juggling multiple roles, from approving bills to onboarding new employees, which made it difficult for him to focus on strategic financial planning.

The need to ensure compliance with varying state regulations, process payroll efficiently, and manage day-to-day administrative tasks was becoming a bottleneck for growth. Prior to working with Chore Operations, Clayton had tried several other back-office service providers but found them insufficiently proactive, delivering only the bare minimum required to keep the wheels turning.

Solution:

Chore's Operations stepped in and immediately took over all compliance-related tasks, payroll management, and back-office operations. The team at Chore, led by their consultant Kevin, seamlessly integrated with Wave’s internal operations. Their hands-on approach and proactive mindset set them apart from previous service providers. Chore's team dove into the intricacies of Wave’s unique payroll system, managed state compliance issues, and handled various administrative tasks, effectively freeing up Clayton’s time and mental bandwidth.

Chore’s proactive approach allowed them to tackle problems head-on, often before Clayton even knew they existed. This included handling state tax notices, compliance audits, and the coordination of payroll across ten states. Instead of reacting to issues, Chore anticipated potential challenges, which resulted in fewer disruptions to daily operations.

Results:

• Time Savings: By handling day-to-day administrative tasks and compliance, Chore's Operations saved Clayton and his team up to 15 hours per week. This allowed Clayton to focus on higher-level responsibilities, such as financial forecasting and strategic planning.
• Operational Efficiency: Chore's involvement reduced the need for additional full-time hires. According to Clayton, without Chore, the company would have needed to hire two part-time employees or a full-time staff accountant just to cover the same responsibilities. This resulted in significant cost savings for Wave.
• Proactive Compliance Management: Chore's Operations took ownership of all compliance-related matters, such as resolving state tax issues and managing HR compliance. Their proactive approach ensured that compliance problems were addressed before they escalated, removing a persistent headache for Clayton and his team.
• Scalability: With Chore's Operations managing the operational side of the business, Wave was able to scale its operations more efficiently. Clayton noted that Chore's support was critical in maintaining operational stability during a leadership transition, allowing Wave to focus on its growth initiatives without disruption.

Testimonial:

"Chore Operations has been a game changer for us. Their proactive mindset and attention to detail have allowed me to focus on what matters most—growing the business. I’ve worked with multiple similar services in the past, but none have provided the level of dedication and support that Chore does. They have saved me time, reduced operational noise, and made our processes more efficient. I highly recommend Chore to any startup looking to optimize their back-office operations."

– Clayton Ward, VP of Finance, Wave Sports + Entertainment

Key Takeaways:

• Service Provided: HR and compliance management, payroll administration, back-office support.
• Business Impact: Improved operational efficiency, cost savings, and time management.
• Recommendation: Clayton highly recommends Chore Operations for startups with more than 10–15 employees that need support with back-office operations and compliance.

This case study showcases the tangible benefits that Chore Operations brings to fast-growing companies like Wave Sports + Entertainment, proving the importance of having a trusted partner in managing back-office tasks so leaders can focus on scaling their business.