Oct. 7, 2025

This piece is sponsored by PRO Resources HR.

Running a small business is portrayed as “living the dream.” Freedom, flexibility, financial success. That can be the perception.

Those in the know understand that owning a small business can be stressful. The adage of “stuff rolls downhill” finds owners working late, processing payroll, navigating labor laws and losing sleep over that troublesome employee who could cost them dearly.

PRO Resources HR helps small-business owners focus on growth, reduce risk and possibly even save money in the process.

Serving employers across South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota, PRO Resources HR gives small and midsized companies a human resources infrastructure found at every Fortune 500 company at a price that scales.

“Big companies don’t have large HR departments because they love spending money on things that don’t matter,” said Jason Boutwell, managing partner. “They do it because HR protects the bottom line, supports employees and saves money. We bring that same protection and capability to small businesses.”

PRO literally takes on the risk of payroll, tax remittance, benefits administration, workers’ compensation and compliance — and much of the risk of employing humans. As a professional employer organization, PRO becomes the administrative employer of record.

Reduce risk — including the risk you don’t see coming

Running a business means juggling constant change: employment laws, safety regulations, benefits compliance. One oversight can turn into a costly mistake, sometimes even a lawsuit.

“The most expensive risks aren’t always the ones you see coming,” Boutwell said. “Post-employment lawsuits, wage disputes, wrongful termination claims — these can drain time, money and energy from a company. We help clients dramatically reduce the odds of that happening. Even a perfect operation can still get sued. When that happens, we provide air cover.”

By implementing consistent policies, documentation standards and manager coaching, PRO Resources helps employers handle terminations and employee relations correctly, protecting both the company and its people. When terminations are handled with consistent fairness and dignity, risk goes down.

The company also provides safety programs such as inspections and safety training along with professional workers’ compensation management, reducing exposure across the entire employment life cycle.

Add capacity

As businesses grow, leaders often find themselves buried in administrative work that pulls them away from customers and strategy.

“Owners and managers hit a point where they’re doing HR at night and wondering why the day never feels long enough,” Boutwell said. “We give them their time back. Larger companies with a single HR practitioner will use us to do the admin work so they can focus on the strategic work they find to be more fulfilling. Strategic HR directors usually don’t want to serve as an HR hotline handling menial tasks like switching a direct deposit.”

By outsourcing HR administration, businesses gain the internal capacity that larger companies enjoy — without the full-time payroll expense.

“We don’t replace your leadership,” Boutwell said. “We enhance it by taking care of what’s necessary so you can focus on what’s important.”

Save money

Many first-time clients assume outsourcing HR adds cost. Boutwell said the opposite is usually true.

“A strong HR system often pays for itself when you reduce turnover, prevent fines and gain access to group-rate benefits and workers’ compensation coverage that would cost far more on your own.”

By pooling thousands of employees under one umbrella, PRO Resources delivers the buying power usually reserved for major corporations.

Helping small businesses compete for talent

That buying power translates directly to better recruitment and retention.

“We help small businesses compete with large employers for the same great people,” Boutwell said. “When a candidate compares offers, the overall employee experience — benefits, consistency, communication — matters as much as pay.  We also offer a complete wellness offering and mental health counseling as well. Employees who feel supported stick around.”

With PRO Resources, smaller employers can offer big-company benefit plans, structured onboarding and professional HR support that builds employee confidence.

“You don’t have to lose good people to ‘greener pastures,'” Boutwell said. “When your benefits and employee care feel world-class, people stay.”

The result? Higher retention, stronger morale and lower hiring costs — all major advantages in a competitive labor market.

Built on relationships, not call centers

While some national providers rely on automation and chatbots, PRO Resources focuses on people. Its HR, payroll, wellness and safety professionals live and work in the same communities their clients do.

“We operate on cellphones,” Boutwell said. “Our clients call or text us directly, meet face-to-face and talk to someone who knows their business. Our HR team is trained to ask: Do you want us to hear you, hug you or help you? Although we get a hug from a grateful client from time to time, that phrase is simply a snarky way to ask if a client needs guidance or some documentation. Of course, sometimes we need to be in the room. We will join a business leader to help with a sticky situation. Other times, we are there to terminate an employee who is simply not a good fit.”

PRO’s boutique approach has driven steady growth in eastern South Dakota, where the company is becoming a go-to HR partner for growing manufacturers, contractors, health care providers and professional firms.

Redefining HR as a business advantage

Boutwell believes it’s time to rethink HR’s role entirely.

“HR isn’t a cost center — it sounds cliche, but HR provides a stability engine,” he said. “When people are supported, policies are consistent and compliance is tight, your company performs better. That’s what we deliver.”

The company’s approach allows small-business owners to focus on vision and growth, knowing that their HR foundation is strong, compliant and protecting their investment every day.

Helping owners become better Vikings fans

“Running a company will never be easy,” he said. “But you shouldn’t lose sleep over HR issues. We’re here so you can lead confidently, knowing your people and your protection are taken care of. I even had a client claim we helped him become a better Minnesota Vikings fan. I was confused until he told me having PRO Resources take on HR admin meant he got his Sundays back to watch more games.”

To learn more, visit proresourceshr.com.