Unlocking the Power of PEOs for Small Business Growth
As a small business owner, you’re always juggling multiple hats — from managing your team to handling HR, payroll, and compliance. But what if there was a way to streamline all these tasks while also improving your benefits and reducing your risks?
This week on
The KeyHire Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with
Corey Harlock, the creator of KeyHire Solutions, to dive deep into how PEOs can truly be a game-changer for small businesses. In our conversation, we discussed everything from what a PEO is, to the common misconceptions surrounding them, and how partnering with a PEO can help your business grow more efficiently.
What Exactly Is a PEO?
A PEO is a Professional Employer Organization that acts as a co-employer with your business. This means that while you maintain control over hiring, firing, and managing your team, the PEO takes care of the administrative side of things — like payroll, benefits, and compliance. By pooling your employees with others, PEOs can leverage buying power to offer competitive benefits that many small businesses couldn’t otherwise afford.
In our conversation, we discussed how PEOs provide a one-stop solution for small businesses, handling everything from HR to workers’ compensation and health insurance, all while ensuring you stay compliant with state and federal regulations.
The Real Benefits of Partnering with a PEO
One of the biggest advantages of working with a PEO is access to better benefits and competitive rates. As a small business, it’s often difficult to compete with larger companies when it comes to offering your employees health benefits or retirement plans. A PEO can help level the playing field, giving your employees access to the same quality benefits as large corporations, but at a more affordable rate.
Additionally, by outsourcing HR functions, you free up valuable time to focus on what really matters — growing your business. From handling payroll to ensuring compliance with complex laws, PEOs take the burden off your shoulders so you can scale more efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About PEOs
There are a few misconceptions about PEOs that I’m passionate about clearing up. For example, some business owners believe that when they partner with a PEO, the organization owns their employees. This isn’t true! A PEO creates a co-employment relationship, where you still manage your team, and the PEO handles HR functions.
Additionally, many business owners assume that PEOs are only beneficial for large companies. In fact, PEOs can be incredibly valuable for small businesses as well, offering the kind of HR and benefits infrastructure that can help your business grow without the extra overhead.
Why You Should Consider a PEO for Your Business
Whether you’re a startup looking for structure or an established company aiming for greater efficiency, a PEO can be the partner you need to take your business to the next level. A PEO not only saves you time and reduces risk, but it can also help you attract and retain top talent by offering them competitive benefits.
I encourage all business owners to take a step back and evaluate their current HR and benefits strategy. If you haven’t considered a PEO yet, or if it’s been a while since you’ve evaluated your options, now is the perfect time to explore the possibilities.
Listen to the Episode
Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation! Tune in to
The KeyHire Small Business Podcast
on YouTube, and get a sneak peek into how a PEO can help your business thrive.
The full episode will be available on March 12th, 2025, across Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Ausha.
To learn more about how a PEO can help your business, check out my website at
peofortheceo.com
or connect with me on LinkedIn at
Suzanna Martinez, PEO for the CEO.
Take the first step toward simplifying your business operations today!