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‍This is Taylor Spinks. And this all started with her.

I wanted to personally thank Taylor for the courageous decision she made to step into my office and tell me the truth—that she, and many other Clayco team members, were suffering under crushing student loan debt.

She didn’t complain. She didn’t make demands. She just laid it out plainly: smart, talented people at this company were carrying burdens so heavy they couldn’t plan for the future, build their lives, or invest in their families.

I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know more about the predatory lending world that’s ruining the financial future of so many educated people. But I’m grateful Taylor had the courage to speak up. Because after that conversation, we did something about it.

Taking Action On Student Loan Debt.

Since we launched Clayco’s Student Loan Repayment Program just over a year ago, the results speak for themselves:

• 351 employees have enrolled
• 13 team members have already paid off their loans entirely
• Clayco has contributed over $450,000 to date toward student loan repayment
• Participants are shaving years—up to 60%—off their repayment timelines
  

The plan is simple. If employees make their minimum loan payments, we add a monthly contribution to help them pay it off faster. Each year, that contribution increases. And for employees contributing to a 401(k), they can redirect those dollars toward loan payments—while still receiving Clayco’s match.

It’s a two-pronged approach that gets results. And it’s already changing lives.‍

Real people. Real stories.

‍Skylar Heaton paid off $40,000 in student loans within seven months of joining the program. Brian Travis wrapped up his MBA debt within a few months, and Ashley Nye, who carries nearly $100,000 in loans, says the program gives her “a sense of control”—and even lets her invest in her kids’ 529 college plans.

This isn’t just a benefit. It’s a mindset shift. It’s telling people, “We see you. We hear you. And we’ve got your back.”‍

We’re not alone—and that’s a good thing.‍

It’s gratifying to know that in the time since we took this problem on, other major companies have stepped up too. As featured in U.S. News & World Report, organizations like Abbott, Ally Financial, Anderson, Chegg, Fidelity Investments, Google, New York Life Insurance Company, NVIDIA, RTX, and SoFi are now offering similar programs.

This is how change happens. Not through speeches or hashtags—but through real, human decisions backed by action.‍

Let’s make this a movement.‍

I’m posting this not just to celebrate what we’ve done—but to challenge other leaders to listen the way I was challenged to listen.

If you’re a CEO, an executive, or anyone with the power to influence policy inside your company: ask your people what’s holding them back. Ask them what’s weighing them down. Then do something about it. This isn’t complicated. It’s just the right thing to do. And it makes your company stronger, more loyal, and more future-ready.

So again, thank you, Taylor. Your courage helped hundreds of people already—and I believe, in time, it’ll help thousands more.

Let’s keep going.