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Brandy Willett, regional director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) at Wichita State University, says small businesses need to rethink employee benefits. She emphasizes that offering strong benefits is key to building successful, resilient companies.

The Wichita KSBDC supports entrepreneurs across 12 counties with free one-on-one advising, training, and networking opportunities. Willett spoke on Sept. 5 during the First Friday e-Call, a monthly online series from K-State Extension that helps Kansans grow small businesses. These sessions are free and open to the public.

During her talk, Willett highlighted five “pillars of wellness” important to employees: physical, mental/emotional, financial, social/community, and professional/career. She noted that small businesses can quickly offer “game-changing benefits” like childcare support, paid leave, and retirement plans because they have fewer decision-makers than larger companies.

For guidance on employee benefits, resources are available from the Kansas Small Business Development Center, and Willett invites businesses to a free Benefits and Wellness Expo on Oct. 30 at WSU Metroplex. 

Willett’s full presentation, along with other First Friday talks, can be found here.