Meridan Business aims to help small business with NetSuite application

2• JULY 16, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

by Brooke Strickland

Meridian Business, with locations in Omaha and Overland Park, Kansas, is a company dedicated to helping clients improve processes and grow with a cloud-based business application called NetSuite. The NetSuite software is sold to clients and offers robust functionality related to financial management, procurement, project management, e-commerce, and much more. Meridian Business began in 2015 as a tax company and in 2018, it became a NetSuite partner. A year later, it achieved 5 Star Partner status and was recognized within the top 25% partners in the world. Today, the company has 18 employees and is actively growing.

“Our passion is helping clients adopt new technology and enable more effective business processes. We believe this involves helping companies navigate the journey of business improvement as they leverage the right solution to grow their business,” said Bruce Allen, CEO of Meridian Business.

The company is owned by MarketSphere Ventures.

“MarketSphere has a history working with Oracle applications and wanted to better serve the Omaha and Kansas City Markets,” said

Travis Schwartz, Meridian Omaha market leader, is working on improved business

processes for clients. (Photo by Monica Sempek) Lonnie Janecek, MarketSphere CEO. “The NetSuite application is a great fit for small and medium-sized businesses, and this aligns with the MarketSphere investment strategy.” Meridian Business aims to understand the innerworkings of small to medium-sized businesses and build relationships with clients. “Meridian values physically being in the

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How I got into the business: In high school, I took an occupational exam listing an Actuary as a good profession for my skills and interests. At the time, Actuaries were also ranked as one of the best professions. So, in college I majored in Actuarial Science. After college I began working as an Actuary at a health insurance company, which introduced me to the Employee Benefits world. Twelve years later, a former co-worker persuaded me to join her on the Broker/Advisor side of the industry.

Accomplishments or milestones: At the time I earned my FSA, it was a series of over 20 exams. Even though I’m no longer a ‘full-time’ Actuary, the FSA designation is still the most challenging and rewarding accomplishment.

First job: My first job ever was on my parents’ dairy farm — milking cows, bottle-feeding baby calves, walking beans and

Mary Drueke-Collins

Vice President of Employee Benefits, Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates, Inc.

Associations/Titles: HCC, NSHE, ASHE, LEED AP BD+C Hometown: Cook, Nebraska Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln

baling hay (always on the hottest days of the summer, of course). My first professional job was as an Actuarial Intern at Farm Bureau in Des Moines during college.

Biggest career break: I was ‘liberated’ from an Actuarial position at a large insurance company when a former co-worker reached out asking me to join her at Swartzbaugh-Farber. Looking back, it was the best move for me! I thoroughly enjoy assisting employers and their employees with their employee benefit needs.

The toughest part of the job: The employee benefits world, especially health insurance, is very complex. Communicating the details of benefit plans and navigating this world can be challenging, but rewarding!

The best advice I have received: You never know what someone else is going through, so do your best to be patient and treat people with compassion and kindness.

About my family: My husband of seven years, Rusty, and I have a lazy, spoiled Puggle, named Stella. We also have three grown children (Dustin, Nathan and Kara), a daughter-in-law (Janelle), a son-in-law (Lincoln), four grand-pups and three grand-kitties.

Something else I’d like to accomplish:

I love animals and at some point in my future I would like to start my own animal rescue on our family farm.

How my business will change in the

next decade: I wish I knew HOW the Employee Benefits world is going to change. One thing for sure is that it definitely WILL change! My best guess is there will be even more regulatory involvement.

Mentor who has helped the most in

my career: Our firm owner, Bob Swartzbaugh, has taught me to look at the business world in a completely different way. His insight has made me a better manager, advisor, educator and negotiator.

Outside interests: Glamping, traveling, baking, gardening, concerts and live sporting events.

Favorite vacation spot: Cabo and the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.

Other careers I would like to try: I’ve always wanted to own a homemade ice cream and candy shop.

Favorite cause or charity: Local animal rescues.

Favorite app: Pinterest!

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markets we serve,” said Travis Schwartz, Meridian Omaha market leader. “Although a lot of technology work can be done virtually, we want to enhance client interactions by being physically present. We provide a high-quality service that requires that we understand client’s business and what is important to them. We understand our clients and have similar core values, and we have relationships that often go behind business. Our clients know we are going to do the right thing, do what we say, treat others with respect, and be the best in everything we do.”

Meridian works to create and follow an aggressive growth strategy. To do this, it has built quality control oversight into every client engagement. This ensures that there is consistency across all projects.

Just like any business, Meridian has hit challenges along the way. The pandemic was one of those times of navigating unchartered waters, but the company was able to make it through COVID-19 without any staff reductions. Operations were changed to be about 75% virtual, which required adjusting how the team communicated with each other and their clients.

When asked what expectations they have for the future of Meridian, Allen shares that they will continue to do their part in helping clients get exactly what they need to implement technology that allows for a more seamless flow of business operations.

“Meridian wants to be the most respected NetSuite solution provider in the markets we serve,” he said. “NetSuite continues to enhance products outside of just traditional ERP, such as budgeting and planning, reporting, ecommerce, project accounting, and HR. Meridian will continue to look at expanding markets in the Midwest by leveraging the skills of the team to serve growing companies.”

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