Access Profiles, Inc.

Not long ago, we saw this quote on a road side billboard, and it got us thinking.....

You see a need to hire, advertise the position, weed through resumes, narrow it down to a few select applicants to interview, and then finish it off by screening your top candidate. And it is increasingly possible that you may even automate a small or large part of this process.


But, what does giving “traditional hiring practices the day off” really mean? We believe it means moving away from traditional, detached, and scientific hiring decisions and trying a more personal touch.

Created by Kimberly Kline, API

By far, this is one of the most important decisions you will make. Deciding on exactly what kind of business you want to start sets the tone for every other decision down the line.




This focus is crucial in determining how your small business will be run, what customers you will target, and even what kind of start up money you need.




When I first started, I knew I wanted to run a Background check company. And there was no doubt this fell squarely into the service business mold. 




At the beginning, I focused solely on offering services that would help my clients hire safely and effectively.  I helped them verify their applicant's past employment history and check courts for criminal records.



Since then I have expanded my scope and added to that list, but the concept remains the same ~ I focus on helping my clients achieve their own small business success.




I have found this to be especially fulfilling because it helps my clients and utilizes my skills and interests.  The fact that I also find it personally gratifying makes it a complete “win~win”!  




That is what you should look for in your own small business.  Find out what really speaks to you and makes the most of your talents. That is where you will find your best path to success.



A Product or Service Small Business?  The Pros & Cons!   “Tweet This”










No matter which you choose, there are pros and cons to each. 

• Easier to Use Your Own Knowledge & Skills
• Lower Overhead
• More Adaptable as a Home-Based Business

Using Your Knowledge & Skills

Providing a service allows you to easily draw on your own knowledge, skills, and interests.  It becomes a business when you turn them into a marketable asset.  



For me, my background in professional writing has been especially helpful.  It enables me to generate effective copy for my social sites, create forms specific to my needs, and write my small business blog ~ all without having to outsource any of these tasks.  
And these skills have ultimately brought me more recognition and real business.




Low Overhead

A business that provides services over one that sells products costs less, especially right out of the gate.  I was able to get my background check business up and running with relatively little money. 



This is definitely helpful during the initial set-up phase.  Most of us that start our own businesses are “cash poor”.  Not having to invest a lot of our own money from the start is invaluable.



Having a service business also enables me to continue with a low overhead.  I do not have the inventory, production costs, and storage issues faced by a product based business.  My utility costs are also minor in comparison.




Adaptable to a Home-Based Business

A service-based business is also easier to run out of your home. I needed very little space to set up a work station, and also a minimal amount of equipment.  A computer (it was a desktop in the beginning!), printer, dedicated phone and fax line, office supplies, and some filing cabinets, were all I needed ~ and I was in business!



With a service business I never had to worry about storing my inventory, shipping supplies, or any of the other things it takes to make a product.  Doing this would not be easy from home.  



Being able to easily work from anywhere at any time is one of my favorite things about having a home-based service business.  I love that flexibility! 



Read more about running a business from home in my article, “The Challenges and Rewards of Running a Business from Home”!

Created by Kim Kline, API

However, over time I have also found some “cons” in choosing a service-based business.

• Less “Visual”
• Benefits not as Tangible
• Harder to Set Your Prices

Services are Less “Visual”

Selling services instead of products is definitely less “visual”.  That makes using social sites like Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram much more challenging.  Because of this, I have to be creative in finding ways to post to these sites.  Generating my own blog title graphics and including relevant images in my posts has been crucial.



Services are not “Tangible”

By default, products are much more tangible than services ~ and that makes them much easier to sell.  When you have a product, your customers can quickly grasp what you are offering and determine if it will benefit them.  When you sell services, this is much harder to accomplish.  You have to continually work at illustrating their value. 



Of course businesses that sell “things” also have to deal with proving their product’s worth, but it is still more concrete than the idea of a service.  This has certainly been a challenge I continue to face when I selling my background check services - especially to small businesses.




Harder to Set Your Prices

It is easier to justify the price of a product over that of a service. When setting your product prices, you can easily take into consideration production costs like materials and labor.  Pricing services is much more elusive.



I must determine the costs of my services on much less tangible factors.  I set my prices based on things like my expertise, knowledge, and time. 



When meeting with clients, this is much harder to convey.



I have often second-guessed myself over the years because of this. I have finally come to realize that I when I place more value in what I have to offer, so do my clients.   



Remember, the more you believe in what you are selling, the easier it is to charge what it is worth.  Read more in “Find it Difficult Setting Your Prices?  You are not Alone!”.



Despite these obstacles, I don’t regret choosing a “service” business.  I have found both enjoyment in discovering ways to help my customers solve their problems and fulfillment in knowing I have truly helped them succeed. 




It is these words that continue to speak to me;

Created by Kim Kline, API

Authored by  

That is why it is important to build the most positive image you can…and also so crucial to protect it! And the best way to do that is to really know what is “out there” about your Small Business! 

Have you checked your online reviews? Do you know the impression visitors get from your social media sites? How about your Better Business Bureau rating?  Do you know how your company would fare during a civil court record check?

If not, you should!

Other companies are always vying for the business you want. Knowing what image your company is really portraying both online and off is critical to landing those customers and to your ultimate success. 

You need to realize that anyone thinking of hiring you or using your services will look.


This is especially true if they are thinking of hiring you to work in their home. Babysitters and nannies, home health care providers, and  home contractors will be scrutinized.

Many are increasingly using background checks to feel safer about hiring these types of companies. But even if your company is not on this list, it is still likely that anyone thinking of doing business with you will check. It is only natural.

That is why you need to know all you can about how your company will fare if you go under the microscope.

Taking these 3 steps will help!

Protecting Your Company Image

Check Your Online Presence
This should be your first and most important step. Start with taking a look at your social sites. Be sure to include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or anywhere else you have a profile.

Do your sites look professional? Are they up to date? Do they all look cohesive and represent your brand?   

If you find any errors during this search, fix them. Make sure that everything listed is correct and all your links work.

Presenting a unified online “front” is a great way to convey your company’s image and brand.       

Next you should search for any online comments and reviews mentioning your small business. This includes any posts made on your social sites both by you and others.  

1. Keeps your Company Fresh and Current 
2. Helps You Get Past a Lull or Slow Time
3. Reawakens Your Interest and Passion for your Business
4. Solves a New Customer Need or Problem
5. Attracts New Customers and Interest in your Company

Keeps Your Company Fresh and Current
Even the best small businesses can get stagnant ~ and that is increasingly true the longer you have been in business. Staunchly holding on to only what you have done in the past does a disservice to you and your clients. Infusing your business with new and innovative ideas keeps you moving forward.  

Helps You Get Past a Lull or Slow Time
Many businesses go through periods when their sales are slow. Adding something new can help infuse your company with a new source of cash.

Reawakens Your Interest and Passion for Your Business
Even business owners can get bored or complacent. Developing a new product or service can be just the thing to get your mojo going like it did when you first started. Brainstorming sessions and the excitement of the launch may be just what you need.

Solves a New Customer Need or Problem
The best products or services stem from solving your clients’ problems. Tap into the good relationship you have with your existing customers to find out what they need ~ and then figure out what you can do to help. The answer can lead to the perfect new product or service for your company!

Attracts New Customers and Interest in Your Company
Chances are that there are others out there who have the same problems and needs as your current clients. Offering a new product that solves that problem will attract those potential new customers. These customers may not have even known about your company before, but now you will be on their radar.

And no wonder! Looking for a job is a nerve wracking and anxious time ~ and the thought of an employer scrutinizing you and your past just adds to the stress.

Even if you have nothing to hide, you can feel anxiety about the whole background check process.

You might spend time wondering “What is an employer looking for?” and “What will they discover?”. 

Many job seekers have the same questions when it comes to employment screening.    

By focusing on 5 of those most frequently asked, we hope to provide the answers you need and help alleviate some of the stress that can drive you crazy while you search for your dream job.

Created by Kimberly Kline, API

• How far back do employment background checks go?

It is standard for most employers to go back 7 - 10 years when it comes to background checks. This time frame is recommended by FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Administration) and EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) guidelines. Compliant employers and background check companies will follow this time frame.  

This can vary depending on the industry. Some companies, by law, are required to search for your entire past criminal and work history. Examples of this are jobs in finance, working with children, the elderly, or disabled, and in the transportation industry.

While these guidelines do dictate how far back to go in searching for your criminal offenses, there are none when it comes to past employments, education, etc. An employer is free to go back as far as they deem necessary. 

• What Shows Up on a Background Check?

This depends upon the scope of the background check requested. Many times the extent of the screening depends upon the position being filled. For example, an entry level job usually requires a more basic background check than one for a management or supervisory position.

However, when most job seekers ask this question, they are really thinking about the criminal check.  The 7 -10 year rule applies here too (with the exception of the regulated industries). This means that criminal offenses beyond that parameter are not supposed to be considered ~ whether they “show up” or not.

If the background check is done internally, HR should follow this guideline. If it is outsourced to a reputable screening company, then only those offenses that fall within the time parameters should be reported.  

Court records are most often checked at the county and state level. Federal court records may also be requested.  

During a criminal check, cases will be found that resulted in both findings of not guilty and those where you were convicted. Even cases that were dismissed or are currently active (with no disposition) are uncovered. Traffic cases are rarely considered (unless a company car or driving is part of the job description).

Beyond the criminal check, the following information will be discovered if requested by the employer:

Education ~ dates of graduation and degree earned are most common.  Class rank or GPA (QPA) are not usually requested.

Employments ~ dates (start to end) and title of your most recent position are checked. Your reason for leaving is also commonly asked.


Making sure your resume is “background check ready” is a great way to start. Verifying that all the information listed is true and accurate is key.  

Getting a background check on yourself before you even apply for a job is also a smart move. Knowing in advance that nothing will be uncovered that could keep you from getting the job simply makes sense.