Recently, I was chatting with a fellow small business owner at a networking event. She shared something that struck a chord: “You mentioned something about background checks that made me think—I don’t run them at all. Now that I’ve grown and don’t personally know every employee, maybe I should start.”

That moment perfectly captured a common mindset among small business owners. When your team is small and made up of friends, referrals, and familiar faces, background checks can feel unnecessary or even awkward. But as your business grows, so does your responsibility to protect your customers, your brand, and your people.

Why Background Checks Matter

Large corporations have background checks built into their hiring process as a given. But small businesses often skip this step—not because it’s not important, but because it’s not top of mind. Yet, the truth is: background checks are just as essential as a good interview or reference check.

Here’s why:

• You may not know your hires as well as you think. Referrals and friendships don’t always equate to transparency.
• You’re putting people in sensitive positions. If employees are entering customer homes or representing your brand in the field, you owe it to yourself and your clients to verify who they are.
• Your business reputation is on the line. One wrong hire can create safety issues or cause lasting damage to your credibility.

What to Look for in a Background Check

You don’t need the most exhaustive background check available, but you should be covering the basics:

• Felony history
• National database checks
• International watchlists

These checks can be completed quickly with the right vendor—companies like Checkr and others offer streamlined services. Just be mindful to choose a reputable provider, as not all background check companies offer the same level of thoroughness or compliance.

Make It Part of the Process

Whether you’re hiring your 5th employee or your 50th, now is the time to treat background checks as a non-negotiable part of your hiring process. Doing so not only protects your team and your clients, it gives you peace of mind—knowing that the person representing your business is exactly who they claim to be.

If you’re not sure where to start, we can help. Our firm offers background check services as part of our recruitment support for small and growing businesses.

Because at the end of the day, due diligence isn’t just for big companies—it’s smart business for every company.