Proof from Main Street - Second Chance Employers Are Winning | Expeal Skip to main content

Proof from Main Street - Second Chance Employers Are Winning

| By: Expeal Staff

Research Case studies

You don’t have to guess if this works. The data is already in, and the stories of companies like Checkr, ACE Glass, and JBM Packaging provide a clear roadmap for success.

The headquarters of American City Business Journals.
The headquarters of American City Business Journals. Photo credit: BusinessEditorUSA via Wikimedia Commons

It is easy to look at giants like JPMorgan Chase or Koch Industries and think, "They have the resources to take risks." But the reality is that Second Chance hiring isn't a gamble for any sized corporation. In fact, it is a competitive advantage being utilized right now by small and mid-sized businesses on Main Street.

The Data

Loyalty is quantifiable and confidence begins with numbers. Checkr, a background check technology company, didn't just build a product; they built a culture around giving people a second chance. The result wasn't just "good will" for management, it was better business for everyone.

Their internal data revealed two critical advantages:

  • Retention: Employees with records had a 5% attrition rate, compared to 22% for the rest of the company.
  • Performance: Those same employees consistently stood out for their on-the-job excellence.

As Daniel Yanisse, Checkr’s Co-Founder and CEO, explains, the psychology is simple: “If you give a chance to someone who’s been rejected hundreds of times, you can imagine that they’re going to be grateful to your company and they will work very hard to prove not just to your company but to themselves that they are a successful person.”

The Longevity

If Checkr provides the data, ACE Glass provides the history. With decades of success embracing second chance hiring, this Arkansas-based company proves this isn't a short-term trend. In fact, they have been employing people with criminal records for over 20 years.

This isn't charity; it is a strategy that has helped them become a repeat winner of the Excellence in Construction Awards (most recently in 2025). Some of their Second Chance hires have been with the company throughout those two decades, rising through the ranks to hold key management positions. They proved that talent doesn't have an expiration date, and a past record doesn't predict future failure.

The Growth

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the Second Chance movement is the community of business owners helping one another succeed. Ohio-based Nehemiah Manufacturing and JBM Packaging are prime examples of this collaboration.

Nehemiah shared their blueprint for accessing "Untapped Talent" with JBM, and the results have been transformative for both. Nehemiah’s team describes these employees as “rare diamonds – some of the hardest working people we’ve ever seen. In proving themselves, these employees become fiercely loyal.”

Inspired by this success, JBM set a bold goal: to employ 240 Fair Chance Team Members by 2030. They are even proactively launching a training program inside the London Correctional Institution to build their future workforce.

Shrink the Haystack

These aren't hypothetical scenarios. These are real businesses who have turned an untapped talent pool into their greatest asset. From the glass industry in Arkansas to packaging experts in Ohio, the verdict is clear: When you provide opportunity, you get loyalty and performance in return.

The path has been paved. Companies on Main Street are sharing their maps. Whether working with partners like Expeal or connecting with peers in your industry, the resources are there for you to do the same.

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