Business

Chicago-Based Serial Entrepreneur Jonte Wells Explains the Importance of Having Multiple Revenue Streams

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2021

The world today is far different than just a few years ago. Pandemic aside, the rapid changes occurring on a global basis are incredible. For many, the onset of the global pandemic led to disaster, failing businesses, and struggling to find a way forward. Yet, for other companies, and entrepreneurs, weathering this storm isn’t as challenging. That’s because they have multiple revenue streams, diversified enough to withstand virtually most types of ups and downs. Series entrepreneur Jonte Wells has worked hard to develop a path that enables him to not just withstand these challenges but to help others do the same.

The Value of Multiple Revenue Streams

Jonte has built several successful companies throughout his career. That includes Greater Purpose Athletics and Greater Purpose Management, the two focuses of his time now. Both revenue streams create opportunities to support each other and enable Jonte to build his success.

Why is this valuable, to have two revenue streams or more? There are several reasons. Jonte states, “I started in the inner city of Chicago with few opportunities to build success. I didn’t have access to supports facilities to support my growth. I knew then that I wanted to do more than just play basketball. I wanted to achieve success as an entrepreneur and then bring that success back to my community to support others.”

Having more than one revenue stream enables that type of aspiration to be possible. The pandemic may cause some businesses to struggle, such as how the restaurant industry was hit hard without access to customers during the pandemic. Yet, for grocers, it was a gold mine, as it was for those able to provide a digital service to their customers.

The same applies to young athletes who want to do well. “You can and should focus on building your skills on the court, but you also have to work on brand management on the side – because that’s going to help you to build more than one way to earn money.”

He continues, “What we are doing with Greater Purpose Management is providing those young superstars with the insights and support they need early on, the services I didn’t have so that they have a better chance of long-term success and growth.”

Jonte, known for his basketball career, and both Greater Purpose Athletics and Greater Purpose Management, is also in real estate. He’s created a successful portfolio of numerous properties and flips houses year-round. In addition to this, he also launched Sugaring NYC, an organic waxing studio.

It is the combination of each of these businesses that have allowed him to build a wealthy empire. Now, he’s empowered by being able to focus on helping others. That’s just what he is doing for athletes looking for a way into this industry.

What’s Holding Back Today’s Entrepreneurs?

Those who wish to open a business face more obstacles today than ever before. They are facing complications related to the pandemic itself, such as fewer routes into traditional business positions. For some, the cost of living and expenses of day-to-day life limit the reach of a potential entrepreneur. Even in a modern world, a person living in inner-city Chicago will find it challenging to find a way out, a way to build on an idea or skill that has true profitability.

With those barriers come others – the lack of access to support systems and mentorships being one. Without direction and support, it becomes difficult for any individual, regardless of where they live, to have a way forward.

Supporting the Young Business Owner

For Jonte Wells, the focus isn’t just on any person who wishes to build a business, but on the young athletes in inner-city Chicago and elsewhere that have skills and talent that they are not able to fully utilize to get them into a stronger future. For example, Jonte himself began his path towards serial entrepreneurship as a young athlete. He didn’t have access to a sports facility or a mentor to help him to get out onto the court and build up skill – and gain recognition for it. Today, he’s known as “the basketball guy” when he visits his clients, all of whom are young athletes who want to build a career in sports or fitness. These individuals come from some of the most challenging backgrounds, but they have skill, inspiration, and talent. His goal is to provide them with a way forward.

The Creation of Greater Purpose Management Hones in On Providing Opportunities

Jonte’s latest business is Greater Purpose Management. It’s designed to support those who need it the most in a positive and motivating manner. It’s not simply about finding a way into the sports world through the NCAA or professional basketball, though. He works directly with young athletes to help them to find their passion and builds their skills to build a brand and image from that point.

He says, “We work with athletes to ensure their on-court performance is the best. Then, we give them the ability to brand themselves so they can not only succeed on the court but also in numerous opportunities off the court.” Having multiple streams of revenue enables these individuals to gain confidence no matter what happens in their future.

He says, “We are very hands-on in our talent management. We treat each person like family, not just at the gym. We support them with what they need from athlete management services to working as a marketing agency to help them to build themselves on social media and digitally, creating opportunities for their future.”

Jonte didn’t have a simple path towards success as a young athlete trying to make his way in Chicago. Yet, he has worked hard to build a business model that provides numerous revenue streams for him, allowing him to not only find success for himself but to be able to give back to the community as well.

Speaking of Greater Purpose Management, Jonte says, “We make sure you’re educated regarding your financial assets, legal rights, and post-career options. We empower you with that knowledge to achieve multiple revenue streams, creating opportunities for your future long after you leave the court.”

Want to Learn More?

Connect with Jonte Wells on Instagram or find out more about Greater Purpose Management today.

Business

Why Multi-Province Payroll Compliance Is the Hidden Challenge Canadian SMBs Face and How Folks Solves It

Published

6 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Photo courtesy of: Folks

Byline: Shem Albert

Running payroll in Canada can feel like crossing a country stitched from many different fabrics. Each province weaves its own pattern of tax rules, leave policies, and benefit requirements, creating a landscape where a single misstep can ripple through every paycheck. For small and mid-sized businesses, the challenge often remains hidden until growth pushes hiring beyond provincial borders or brings remote workers into the fold. What seems like a routine back-office task quickly becomes a test of accuracy, timing, and local knowledge. This is the gap that Folks set out to close, offering a way for employers to navigate Canada’s regulatory patchwork without slowing their momentum.

Provincial Rules Add Complexity

Canada’s payroll environment varies sharply by province. Federal rules set the foundation, but provincial tax rates, deductions, statutory leave entitlements, and benefit premiums add layers of complexity that employers must monitor carefully. Small and mid-sized businesses with staff across provinces or remote employees face different tax tables, reporting deadlines, and leave calculations that directly affect pay accuracy and remittance schedules.

Folks built its payroll module to address these differences. The platform calculates the correct provincial tax rates and deductions for each employee, applying updates automatically so employers avoid misapplied withholdings or late filings. Multi-location tax management allows a company with workers in Ontario, Quebec, or several other provinces to process payroll without creating separate accounts for each jurisdiction. Bilingual functionality in English and French and secure Canadian data hosting support compliance while keeping employee records accessible across language and regional boundaries.

Unified Records Improve Accuracy

Payroll errors often stem from mismatched employee data. Changes in pay rates, banking details, or benefits eligibility may not align between HR and finance systems, creating incorrect deductions or delayed payments. Smaller teams juggling separate platforms spend valuable hours reconciling information instead of focusing on strategic work.

Folks resolves these issues by combining HR and payroll in one platform. Updates to wages, hours, or tax information entered on the HR side flow directly into payroll without re-entry. This single, verified record strengthens the accuracy of every payroll run and ensures employees receive the correct pay and deductions. By removing the need for repetitive administrative work, HR staff can redirect their time to tasks that support growth and employee engagement.

Automation Keeps Provinces in Step

Each province sets its own requirements for holiday pay, pay frequency, and statutory benefits, making manual calculations both time-consuming and error-prone. Businesses that expand or hire remote employees must keep pace with shifting provincial regulations or risk penalties and audit issues.

Folks address these demands with automation designed for Canada’s regulatory landscape. Pay statements, deduction calculations, and custom pay schedules follow the applicable provincial rules without extra configuration. The system’s automated updates mean that a company hiring staff in British Columbia or Quebec can meet local payroll standards without adding new layers of setup or monitoring. Employers gain the ability to expand into new regions while maintaining accurate, on-time pay.

Reporting Strengthens Compliance

Changing tax rates and reporting requirements require ongoing attention from HR and finance teams. Companies that rely on disconnected systems risk missing a provincial update or submitting incorrect remittances, which can lead to fines and interest charges.

Folks provides detailed reporting tools that compile payroll, deductions, and benefits information across all locations. Employers can generate clear remittance and deduction summaries, simplifying the process of meeting provincial filing requirements. For organizations that want additional guidance, Folks also offers a payroll management service that brings in-house specialists to assist with configuration, compliance, and regular updates. These reporting features help companies stay audit-ready and avoid costly compliance gaps.

Scalable Payroll for Expanding Businesses

Many small businesses begin in a single province, where local tax and payroll demands can be learned over time. Growth into new provinces or the decision to hire remote staff adds a level of complexity that manual processes cannot handle efficiently. Errors multiply, compliance risks rise, and payroll teams spend more time correcting mistakes than supporting expansion plans.

Folks provides payroll that scales with company growth. Provincial tax logic, automated deductions, bilingual support, and secure Canadian data storage are built directly into the platform. By maintaining an accurate employee record and applying province-specific rules automatically, the system allows Canadian SMBs to expand with fewer administrative surprises and more predictable payroll operations. Companies gain the stability of compliant payroll across provinces while controlling the time and costs that typically accompany multi-jurisdiction growth.