Challenge

Courtney Benson thought she was prepared to run her new business. She’d brokered the property lease with her real-estate license, sought grants and financing for female and minority entrepreneurs, and filed her own liquor license and health permits with authorities. But four days after opening Viticulture Wine Bar in March 2020, the state closed all restaurants and bars due to COVID-19. She pivoted to curb-side pickup orders, kept the buzz alive with social media posts, and eventually reopened with outdoor seating. However, recovering as a startup was daunting.    

How Paychex Helped

Courtney had never heard of the Employee Retention Tax Credit until her Paychex representative referred her to our ERTC Service. She learned she was eligible because she had been paying employees at both Viticulture and a small restaurant she also owned.  Now anticipating approximately $67,000 in ERTC funds, Courtney plans to improve Viticulture with patio enhancements, a shared workspace, new marketing promotions, and extended staff work hours.

Success Strategy

Courtney is now focused solely on Viticulture Wine Bar, after selling the restaurant, and sees surrounding herself with others who can offer expertise as “probably the best thing you can do as an entrepreneur.”

“With Paychex, I am able to ensure that my employees are fully taken care of, paid on time, that my business is able to meet all the law requirements when it comes to payroll, completing my W-2s,” she says.