About Entrust Payroll Solutions — Built by Someone Who Did It the Other Way First
“I spent 9 years inside one of the biggest payroll companies in the country. I started as a Payroll Consultant, worked my way to District Sales Manager, and spent nearly a decade working with thousands of businesses across Southwest Florida. I know how the national payroll model works — from the inside. And I know exactly what it gets wrong.” — Steve Kowalski, President, Fort Myers, FL
I started Entrust Payroll Solutions because the businesses I worked with deserved something better. Not better technology — the technology is comparable. Better service. A real person on the other end of the phone who knows their business, knows their payroll, and doesn’t change every six months. That’s what Entrust is. That’s all it’s ever been about.
Current offer for new clients: First month of payroll service FREE + $200 setup fee waived. Call 239-382-7454 to get started this pay period.
The Story Behind Entrust
New Jersey to Fort Myers — A New Chapter
Steve Kowalski grew up in New Jersey and moved to Southwest Florida looking for two things: a new career and a place to raise a family. He found both. He and his wife Dena — a 4th grade teacher — raised five boys here. Steve coached their baseball and football teams, built roots in the community, and built his career alongside it.
He came to Southwest Florida with 14 years of corporate sales experience — first at AT&T, where he spent over a decade in B2B sales, then at Gartner, the global research and advisory firm. Both experiences gave him something most payroll professionals don’t have: a deep understanding of what business owners actually need from a service partner, not just a vendor.
Nine Years Inside Paychex
In 2006, Steve joined Paychex as a Payroll Consultant. Over the next nine years, he rose to District Sales Manager — overseeing operations and working with thousands of businesses across the Southwest Florida market. Restaurants, contractors, medical practices, nonprofits, law firms, S-Corp owners, household employers. He’s run payroll for virtually every business type that exists in this market.
What He Saw — And Why It Mattered
The pattern was consistent. Business owners would sign with a national provider, build a relationship with their account rep, and then — six months to a year later — that rep would move on. A new rep would start from scratch. The client would spend time re-explaining their business, re-establishing preferences, re-building trust. Then it would happen again.
The pattern was consistent. Business owners would sign with a national provider, build a relationship with their account rep, and then — six months to a year later — that rep would move on. A new rep would start from scratch. The client would spend time re-explaining their business, re-establishing preferences, re-building trust. Then it would happen again.
“I watched business owners get lost in the system. They’d call in with a question and get routed to someone who didn’t know their account. They’d ask why their invoice went up and get a generic explanation. They’d try to reach someone on a Friday afternoon before payroll and sit on hold. After nine years of seeing that, I knew exactly what a better version looked like. I started Entrust because I wanted to build it.” — Steve Kowalski
The Story Behind Entrust
You Reach a Person Who Knows Your Account
When you call Entrust, you don’t get a queue. You don’t get a ticket number. You reach Steve or a member of his team — the same people who set up your account, who know your payroll schedule, who know your employees. That relationship doesn’t rotate out every six months.
We Take Responsibility When Something Goes Wrong
If we make a payroll tax filing error — a missed deposit deadline, an incorrect calculation — we pay the IRS penalty. Not you. This is not standard in the industry. Most payroll providers process the filing and leave the tax liability with the business. At Entrust, if it’s our mistake, it’s our responsibility. Full stop.
What You're Quoted Is What You Pay
National payroll pricing has layers — base fees, per-employee fees, year-end processing fees, W-2 correction fees, tax amendment fees. Entrust pricing is built around what your business actually needs, stated clearly before you start. No surprise charges at year-end. No fees for things that should be included.
The Entrust Team
Entrust is a focused team. Everyone who works here knows your account. Here's who you'll actually talk to:
Steve Kowalski — President & CEO
22+ years in business services and payroll. 9 years at Paychex, rising to District Sales Manager. Worked with thousands of Southwest Florida businesses. Founded Entrust to give those businesses the personalized service the national chains couldn’t provide. Coaches youth sports. Father of five. Fort Myers resident. Call him directly at 239-382-7454.
Jessica Beaird — Payroll Specialist
Jessica is one of the most consistently praised members of the Entrust team — mentioned by name in multiple Google reviews for her responsiveness, accuracy, and friendliness. She handles day-to-day payroll processing and client questions with the kind of care that makes business owners say their payroll is always on time and accurate.
Jenny Winn — Payroll and HCM Consultant
Jenny brings deep knowledge of payroll and human capital management to Entrust clients. Quick to respond to emails, knowledgeable on compliance questions, and described by clients as integral to their positive experience with Entrust. Jenny handles complex payroll situations and HCM consulting alongside the core payroll team.
What are Customer are Saying
★★★★★
Steve and his team are tremendous. It’s so reassuring having a true, local payroll company. They are very accommodating and care about their customers. Every local business should be using their services.
★★★★★
After dealing with a payroll company that had little concern for our needs as a client, it is refreshing to now have a payroll company that takes the time to address any and all questions we have. They have excellent customer service and the fact that they are local and can be met with face to face makes all the difference!
★★★★★
Entrust does a great job at running my payroll!! Steve is an owner that definitely cares about his employees and clients. Jen is absolutely the best at responding to my questions and needs. Our payroll is always on time and accurate.
What We Believe
Service is a relationship, not a transaction.
The reason Entrust exists is that payroll had become a product delivered at arm’s length. You deserve a team that knows your business, not a ticket number.
Accountability matters more than promises.
Anyone can promise great service. We back it with tax liability: if we make an error, we pay the penalty. Actions over words.
Local means something.
We’ve been running payroll in Southwest Florida for over two decades. We know this market, these businesses, and these business owners. That context makes us better at our jobs.
Complexity is our job, not yours.
You should be able to hand off payroll and not think about it again until next pay period. The compliance details, the deadlines, the IRS filings — that’s why we’re here.
Who We Serve Across Southwest Florida
Entrust works with small and mid-size businesses across a wide range of industries throughout Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. Our clients include:
- Restaurants and hospitality — tipped employees, tip credit calculations, Form 8027 compliance
- Contractors and trades — variable hours, pay-as-you-go workers’ comp, 1099 vs. W-2 clarity
- Medical and dental practices — HIPAA-aware payroll, benefits administration, provider payroll
- Professional service firms and S-Corps — owner payroll, reasonable salary documentation, quarterly 941 filings
- Nonprofits and churches — exempt organization payroll, donation-funded payroll compliance
- Retail and service businesses — multi-rate payroll, PTO accrual, direct deposit management
- Household employers — nanny and domestic worker payroll done correctly and legally
Service area:
Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Marco Island, and all of Southwest Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions About Entrust Payroll
How long has Steve Kowalski been in the payroll industry?
Steve has been working in payroll and HR for over 22 years. He spent 14 years in corporate sales at AT&T and Gartner before joining Paychex, where he spent 9 years — rising to District Sales Manager and working with thousands of Southwest Florida businesses. He founded Entrust Payroll Solutions to give those businesses the personalized service the national chains couldn’t deliver.
Why did Steve start Entrust Payroll instead of staying at Paychex?
After 9 years watching how the national payroll model worked from the inside, Steve saw a gap no one was filling: Southwest Florida small business owners needed a payroll partner who picked up the phone, knew their account, and stayed with them. The national model is built around sales volume and account rep turnover. Entrust is built around one direct relationship with a team that knows your business.
Who is on the Entrust Payroll team?
Entrust is a lean, focused team. Steve Kowalski leads the company as President. Jessica Beaird and Jenny Winn serve as Payroll and HCM Consultants — both highly responsive and frequently mentioned by name in client reviews. Every client has a direct point of contact, not a rotating call center.
Is Entrust Payroll Solutions local to Fort Myers?
Yes. Our office is at 7370 College Parkway, Suite 307, Fort Myers, FL 33907. We serve businesses throughout Southwest Florida — Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres, and beyond. We do in-person meetings and walk-throughs when clients want them. You can always reach us by calling 239-382-7457.
What makes Entrust different from ADP or Paychex?
Three things: who picks up the phone, who pays if something goes wrong, and whether your pricing is predictable. At Entrust, you reach a direct team member — not a call center. We assume your tax liability, meaning if we make a filing error, we pay the IRS penalty. And our pricing is all-in — no surprise year-end fees or add-on charges.
