One measure of a great company that is often overlooked in the business world is the ability to create and preserve an environment of work-life balance. Sharply contrasting this ideal, many employees are being paid for 40 hours’ worth of work on a weekly basis, yet a 2014 Gallup Study found that Americans work an average of 47 hours per week—and 40 percent of those polled stated they work 50 hours or more.

Determining which employee benefits to offer, if any, is a difficult choice that many small business owners face today. Investing in benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401k plan, and disability and life insurance for your employees could be the difference between retaining key employees and losing them to a competitor. But how can small businesses afford to offer these Fortune 500-level benefits to their  employees?

As a small business owner, you undoubtedly want to see your business grow. While it’s no secret that maximizing sales and minimizing expenses are key to growing a profitable enterprise, offering employee benefits can play a vital role in business growth.