# Unlocking Employee Productivity with Corporate Wellness

> A NachoTuesday interview — the C-Suite Insights series from NachoNacho, the B2B SaaS and AI
> marketplace. In conversation with Daniel Bolus, CEO, Clubhealth.

- **Page:** https://nachonacho.com/nachotuesday/video/Unlocking-Employee-Productivity-with-Corporate-Wellness
- **Guest:** Daniel Bolus, CEO, Clubhealth
- **Guest on LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbolus/
- **Recorded:** 2023-11-17
- **Watch:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTYCAcaSdbI

## Summary

In this NachoTuesday Andy Karuza interviews Daniel Bolus, CEO of Clubhealth. In this interview, they covered the importance of work-life balance for your team members, how to unlock employee productivity while creating an inspiring work environment for your team members, and tips for corporate wellness. Watch this webinar if you want to learn how to keep your team members happy, healthy, and motivated.

## Product discussed

- **Name:** ClubHealth for Startups
- **Page:** https://nachonacho.com/product/deal-clubhealth
- **What it is:** Employee wellness made elegantly simple and affordable for small and midsized businesses.
- **NachoNacho deal:** 3 Month Free
- **Estimated savings:** Save up to $1,000

## Full transcript

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to another Nacho Tuesday. Today, I have Daniel Bull from Club Health with me. Without further ado, we’d love for you to introduce your company with a quick elevator pitch and tell us more about it. (00:38) Of course, thanks for having me. Club Health is essentially an automated way to manage employee wellness for small and mid-sized businesses. Some unique aspects of what we do include a wellness marketplace and a monthly stipend cycle. For example, if you want to give your employees a $50 per month wellness stipend, this can be enhanced through our marketplace with a list of exclusive vendors ranging from mental health to financial wellness. Additionally, we manage everyone’s subscriptions, guide them through the process, and provide a much better journey of holistic health and wellness. Our core focus is on holistic wellness, not just one aspect like fitness. (01:11) That’s the first aspect that comes to a lot of people’s minds. Being a marketplace ourselves, I totally get what you’re doing. (01:42) What got you down this path? Corporate wellness is a very important initiative but is often overlooked by many companies. What led you to start this company? How did you identify the problem, and how did you go about solving it? (01:54) To be honest, it was a matter of trial and error. I’ve always been a big advocate for health and wellness, believing it makes life meaningful and keeps everything going. Initially, we started with the mission to end world hunger through healthy nutrition in the workplace. That evolved into a marketplace for health and wellness products. Part of this is also about condensing the tech-based industry that has emerged. With the advent of mobile devices, we now have access to resources at our fingertips, but there are so many point solutions. Our marketplace approach helps guide people through these point solutions effectively. (02:53) I’m also a big advocate of work-life balance. For many people, especially in startups, it's not just about the 9 to 5 and showing up 40 hours a week. How do you help employees maintain work-life balance, which is crucial for keeping them motivated and recruiting the best talent? People today want to work for a company they believe in, one that allows them to work hard and participate in the company’s growth while also enjoying their time there. (03:18) I think one of the silver linings of COVID is the renewed focus on work-life balance and the recognition of holistic health and wellness. We are seeing that top talent is advocating for their health and wellness, sometimes even over career growth. As our intern put it best, wellness is the foundation of the modern workplace. Without it, it’s hard to build a meaningful career. It’s become an essential part of benefits and company culture, and we’re helping lead the movement toward holistic health and wellness by providing diverse and inclusive options. (04:26) Speaking of wellness, Labor Day weekend was last weekend. Many companies saw employees leaving early on Friday, but those same employees might be happy to catch up on work on Monday, despite it being Labor Day. Offering flexibility, such as allowing employees to leave early to avoid traffic, can be beneficial. (04:58) Absolutely. We’re seeing a trend toward flexibility in our platform, which includes both choice in terms of wellness aspects and flexibility in time and place of work. This trend is very positive for the future of the workplace. Being able to integrate mental health, fitness, and nutrition into daily life in a more flexible way is really exciting. (05:23) What do you see as some of the more common wellness trends happening today? (05:35) Companies today are shifting their focus from traditional gym reimbursement programs towards a more holistic view of health and wellness. Traditionally, companies have dedicated funds to health and wellness by reimbursing gym memberships. However, there is now a trend towards using that same budget for a broader range of wellness resources. This includes providing mental health support, advocating for financial wellness, and focusing on family care, daily health, and other aspects of well-being. While the term "trending" might imply something new, it's actually a response to longstanding employee needs. It's exciting to see companies adapting to these needs and catering to a more diverse workplace. (06:09) Mental health is another significant trend. For a long time, mental health has been largely ignored, but it's now coming into the spotlight. It's not just about how people feel but also how they think and where their mind is at, which impacts their work-life balance. The growth of mental health trends and the availability of mental health services are crucial for employees. (07:11) I’m really excited about the future of mental health benefits. There is a growing trend of employers providing resources and fostering conversations around mental health. This creates a culture of mutual understanding, where people recognize that everyone experiences different emotional states, whether stressed, frustrated, calm, or excited. Working together to navigate these states, both individually and relationally, supports the company. The original topic of this conversation is employee productivity, and without a culture that respects mental health, it's challenging to maintain productivity. While we've made progress, there is still considerable hesitancy and stigma surrounding mental health, both in America and globally. It’s important to show that mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall health and that investing in it benefits both the individual and the organization. (08:37) Mental health has long been seen as a taboo subject. Whether it’s depression, ADHD, or other conditions, acknowledging and addressing these issues is crucial for getting one’s life on track. When people feel balanced, they're more productive at work and can enjoy their jobs rather than feeling constantly stressed. (09:07) An underrated aspect of mental health is its role in unlocking personal strengths. Often, our differences are our greatest strengths. For instance, I have ADHD and have found many positive benefits from it. Another team member also has ADHD, and we often joke about it. Harnessing ADHD, if managed well, can be an incredibly powerful asset. However, without proper management, it can lead to issues like missing details. I’ve made significant efforts to manage my ADHD and leverage its benefits, demonstrating that there’s a silver lining to every challenge. (10:07) If a company wants to roll out a corporate wellness program, I would recommend starting with an awareness of personal biases. It’s crucial for leaders to separate their own definitions of health and wellness from those of their employees. At Club Health, we advocate for a bottom-up approach, where employees are actively engaged in choosing what is meaningful to them in terms of health and wellness. This approach ensures that wellness programs are not just a top-down imposition but are tailored to the needs of the employees. (11:13) Creating a great company culture involves showcasing a willingness to invest in employees' health and wellness without dictating what that looks like for them. It’s about finding out what best serves their needs rather than implementing a one-size-fits-all solution like gym memberships. Leaders should think beyond traditional options and consider a more inclusive approach to wellness. (12:14) Holistic health and wellness is a growing focus. If you’re looking for examples of companies with outstanding corporate wellness programs, it’s beneficial to observe those that integrate wellness deeply into their culture. While I won’t name specific companies out of respect for their internal practices, I can say that the best implementations of health and wellness programs go beyond just providing resources. It's about creating a culture that supports and encourages wellness. (12:45) Some tech companies might offer lavish stipends for health and wellness, which is a great start. However, the most effective programs integrate wellness into the company culture itself. For example, a common issue with gym memberships is that employees often sign up but then become too busy to use them. To address this, some organizations on smaller budgets have inspired employee wellness by having leaders model healthy behaviors. For instance, a leader might take 30 minutes for a walk and encourage others to do the same. This approach helps create a culture where focusing on health and wellness is normalized and supported. (13:15) It’s also valuable for companies to create environments where employees feel encouraged to participate in wellness activities. If leaders show that taking time for health is acceptable and encouraged, it can foster a culture where employees feel comfortable incorporating wellness practices into their daily routines. (15:00) Group events can be a great addition to wellness programs, but they should be inclusive and considerate of diverse preferences. For example, some leaders might suggest skiing trips, but not everyone is comfortable with or interested in skiing. It’s important to offer a variety of activities to ensure that all employees feel included. A diverse range of activities can help avoid putting undue pressure on employees and can appeal to a broader audience. (16:33) Safe and inclusive activities are key. While skiing or mountaineering might not be suitable for everyone, simple activities like group walks, weekend hikes, or yoga sessions can be more universally appealing. Providing flexible options allows employees to choose what suits them best, thereby making wellness initiatives more effective. (17:07) Giving employees dedicated time for health and wellness can be very beneficial. For instance, setting aside an hour during the workday for employees to focus on their well-being—whether it's through exercise, meditation, or relaxation—can make a significant difference. The key is to allow flexibility in how employees use this time, as different people have different wellness needs and preferences. (18:09) Some might worry that allowing time off for wellness could decrease productivity, but evidence suggests otherwise. Employees often become more productive when they are given time to focus on their health and wellness. Recharging mentally and physically can lead to increased efficiency and overall better performance. (19:11) It’s important to recognize that taking breaks can significantly boost productivity. Even brief breaks during a busy schedule can help individuals reset and return to work more focused and energized. While not every employee may work extra hours as some do in startups, everyone can benefit from taking necessary breaks to maintain their productivity. (20:01) Separating time from productivity is crucial. More time at work doesn’t always mean better productivity. When employees are not in their best state, their performance and interactions can suffer. Just as we care for our cars, we need to prioritize our own health and wellness to maintain high productivity levels and ensure we can bring our best selves to work. (21:10) A strong analogy is comparing personal health to car maintenance. Just as we wouldn’t drive a poorly maintained car at high speeds, we shouldn’t push ourselves at work without proper self-care. Ensuring foundational health and wellness is crucial for maintaining a productive and healthy workplace. (21:42) I also believe in embracing failure as a valuable learning experience. Failure should not be viewed negatively; rather, it’s an opportunity for growth and learning. At Club Health, we have evolved from a simple healthy lunch solution to a comprehensive health and wellness marketplace by learning from our failures and iterating on our approach. (22:09) One of my favorite quotes is, “You only fail if you don’t learn.” Failure indicates that you are stepping outside your comfort zone and provides valuable lessons. Embracing and learning from failure can lead to growth and success. Our evolution at Club Health is a testament to this mindset. (23:12) In our journey, one major challenge was identifying our ideal customer and understanding who truly responds to our product. We learned that focusing on the current needs of our customers, rather than waiting for future developments, was crucial for growth. This approach helped us refine our product and better serve our audience. (24:17) Early on, it was important for us to pinpoint our ideal customer rather than trying to appeal to everyone. Establishing a niche customer base allowed us to build a strong foundation before expanding our offerings. This approach is similar to how Amazon started with books and then grew into a diverse marketplace. (25:20) Regarding reading recommendations, I personally prefer newsletters and book summaries. These resources keep me informed about tech, AI, and HR trends. For startup founders, I suggest focusing on niche books that relate to their specific domain. One of my current interests is Spotify, as its model of offering a wide range of solutions parallels our approach at Club Health. (25:59) Additionally, Club Health offers an app for book summaries, which I use to learn about various topics, from health and wellness to startup marketing and sales. This tool helps me stay updated and gain insights efficiently. (27:08) People in such a broad marketplace, like Spotify, can provide valuable insights for us. We aim to do something similar with health and wellness. Spotify's platform-agnostic approach, being available on various devices like computers, iPhones, and Androids, is something we’re learning from. As a platform-agnostic health and wellness marketplace, we're drawing from Spotify’s journey to become one of the biggest players in the music industry. (27:41) Do you ever follow Blinkist? Do you have that app in your collection? I do like Blinkist, and we're working on incorporating similar features. While I hesitate to discuss some of our products due to confidentiality, we have a variety of engaging products and services. Our focus is on ensuring that our tools are naturally engaging for people, as engagement is crucial for effective health and wellness. An expensive gym membership is pointless if it’s not used, so making sure our marketplace offerings are engaging is a key metric for us. (28:56) Looking ahead, what’s next for Club Health? Where do you see the company in five years? While I can't share confidential details, we are excited about the growing trend of lifestyle spending accounts among businesses. Club Health positions itself as a lifestyle spending account with a specific focus on wellness. Our vision is to offer a consolidated platform for interacting with health and wellness, combining tech-driven modern services and products that are affordable, accessible, and impactful. (29:59) I love the pitch. Daniel, thank you for your time today. I’m looking forward to meeting you in person now that I’m back in Seattle, especially since it's sunny for once. I usually tell everyone that Seattle is always rainy to keep them away, but it’s actually a beautiful state. (30:26) It’s been a pleasure getting to know you. We love NachoNacho—shameless plug! We’re listed on the NachoNacho Marketplace, so you can find us there. Everyone, please check it out. When you buy Club Health through us, you get 20% cash back. NachoNacho is the best way to buy SaaS, as I always say. Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you in person tomorrow.

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