The same team, the same relationships, now backed by more resources.
You built something that works. A team that picks up the phone. People who actually know your business, not an account number in a queue. That’s not something you should have to worry about protecting, and you don’t have to.
Lever1 is now part of Helpside. The people you call are still the people you call. The service you’ve come to count on hasn’t moved. What’s changed is what’s standing behind it.
Lever1 and Helpside were built around the same idea: business owners deserve an HR partner that actually knows their company, not a vendor managing a ticket queue. That shared belief is what made this partnership make sense.
“Lever1 and Helpside were built around the same fundamental belief: Business owners deserve an HR partner that knows their company, understands their people and puts the customer first. Lever1’s white-glove approach to HR outsourcing and its strong leadership team made the company a natural fit for Helpside.”
— Rick Bartholomew, CEO of Helpside
“The PEO industry is evolving quickly, and we recognized that Lever1’s next phase of growth would require meaningful advancements in technology and greater internal operational support. Joining Helpside gives our team the infrastructure and resources to continue growing without sacrificing the responsive, personal service our clients value.”
— Erica Brune, CEO of Lever1
Kansas City Business Journal
— “Fast-growing Lever1 sells to Utah PEO firm to unlock greater growth”
What This Actually Means for You
Nothing about the way you’re supported changes hands. Your Kansas City and St. Louis teams are still the people running your account day to day, in the same offices, answering the same way they always have. What’s different is what’s available to them now. Lever1 clients gain access to Helpside’s purpose-built technology platform and digital interface for employers and employees, a single platform for managing payroll, benefits, and HR information instead of juggling scattered systems, while Helpside’s clients across the country gain the strength of Lever1’s national medical plan expertise. Neither side is being folded into the other’s process. Each company brought something the other didn’t have, and clients on both sides come out ahead because of it.
About Helpside
For more than 35 years, Helpside has worked with small and midsize businesses to simplify the complexities of employment, combining experienced professional support with proprietary technology to deliver responsive, people-first workforce solutions. That approach shows up in how the company actually operates, guided by values that aren’t just words on a wall: integrity, humility, a relentless focus on client success, and a team that works as one to get there.
Leadership
Rick Bartholomew
CEO, Helpside
For more than 30 years, Rick’s leadership has driven Helpside to become one of the region’s most progressive HR partners, helping small to midsize companies navigate a changing economy with innovative benefit and HR solutions.
Erica Brune
CEO, Lever1
Erica leads Lever1’s Kansas City team, continuing to guide the company’s relationship-first approach to payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance as Lever1 becomes part of a larger national partner.
Ready to Simplify Health Benefits, HR and Payroll?
FAQs
Is Lever1 going away?
No. Lever1 continues operating with the same team, same offices, and same local leadership. Lever1 is now part of Helpside, which means more resources behind the same service, not a replacement for it.
Will my point of contact change?
No. Your Kansas City or St. Louis team remains your point of contact, running your account the same way they always have.
Do I need to do anything as a result of this change?
No action is required. Payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance support continue without disruption.
What is Helpside Tools, and do I have to switch to it?
No. Existing benefits and coverage continue as they are. Over time, Lever1 clients also gain access to the broader resources of Helpside’s benefits capabilities, but nothing about your current coverage changes without your involvement.
Why did Lever1 join Helpside?
Both companies were built around the same belief: business owners deserve an HR partner that actually knows their company. Joining Helpside gives Lever1 more technology, resources, and operational support, without sacrificing the responsive, personal service that has always defined it.
Who do I contact with questions about this transition?
Reach out to your existing Lever1 contact, or use the contact information below.
Email: service@helpside.com
Call: (801) 443-1090
Toll free: 1-800-748-5102
Live Chat: Click on the chat box to the right.
Where can I read more about this announcement?
Read the full press release here, or see coverage from the Kansas City Business Journal, “Fast-growing Lever1 sells to Utah PEO firm to unlock greater growth” (Aug 17, 2026, subscriber content). For media inquiries, contact marketing@helpside.com.