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Payroll is part of God's Plan w/Fr. Pat Bruen

Faith, Hope and Payroll Podcast

In this episode, hosts Eric and Dave welcome Father Pat Bruen—Dave’s father-in-law—who spent decades in medical sales and software before launching his own payroll franchise in 2019, only to sell it two years later and enter the seminary. Father Pat shares what it was like to start a business while his wife was dying, how the Sacred Heart of Jesus upended his plans, and what the small business world taught him about faith and integrity. In This Episode: * How Father Pat went from hospital supply sales to Thompson Reuters to launching a payroll franchise, and why he ultimately left corporate America behind * What it was really like to start a business amid COVID while simultaneously caring for a dying wife * The Sacred Heart encounter that wouldn't leave him alone—and how a priest friend planted the idea that became his vocation * Why Father Pat believes small business owners are among the most faith-filled, integrity-driven people in America * How living under the same roof with his daughter's family for over a decade shaped his discernment and prepared him for the priesthood Chapters: * 00:00: Welcome and Introductions * 01:17: Father Pat's Career Path: From Hospital Sales to Thomson Reuters * 05:18: Why He Left and Started a Payroll Franchise * 09:52: COVID, Loss, and Running a Business Under Pressure * 15:08: Building Clients Through Networking and Cold Calling * 16:00: Faith Lessons From the Risk of Starting Over * 17:49: The Sacred Heart Encounter and a Priest's Suggestion * 20:13: Entering the Seminary at 61 * 23:48: What Business Taught Him About Small Business and Integrity * 28:40: COVID Church Closures and the Cops Getting Called * 31:52: Living Together: The "Everybody Loves Raymond" Years * 37:26: Payroll, Vocation, and Closing Prayer Resources Mentioned: Workforce PayHub Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios