The Workforce Therapy Files team attended the 2025 Kentucky SHRM Conference, in Louisville. We took the opportunity to interview over 20 professionals who stopped by our booth.
The team interviews Ben Reno-Weber, CEO of Essential Innovations, based in Louisville. Workforce development is one of the biggest challenges, especially attracting and retaining people. Essential Innovations uses AI to help small and medium businesses access the tax and training credits, such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). Less than 1% of small businesses utilize these benefits. Ben suggests there’s over $10 billion in “free money” lying around for companies doing good things, specifically hiring essential workers. The main barrier for HR professionals isn’t awareness of the credits. In reality, the time commitment and complicated paperwork can be a disincentive. Essential Innovations steps in as the “easy button,” using technology to simplify the filing process.
Essential Innovations primarily targets high-turnover industries with low entry-level wages, such as logistics, cleaning companies, and light manufacturing, focusing on that essential worker demographic. Ben explains 10-15% of our workforce is WOTC-eligible, including veterans (who can qualify for up to $9,600) and people coming off SNAP or long-term unemployment. For most eligible workers, employers can get up to $2,400 back as a tax credit. Setting up with Essential Innovations takes one hour and requires adding only one piece of paper to the hiring process, plus a simple monthly payroll export. Companies have a short window of 28 days from the date of hire, to retroactively claim the credit.
Finally, when asked what drives revenue in today’s market, Ben’s top answer was simple: consistency. Ben leaves the following question for the next guest: If there was one think you’re looking for, when hiring somebody, what is that one thing; that 10/10 attribute?
To learn more, visit: EssentialInno.com
Ben Reno-Weber, thanks for stopping by to speak with us!