In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Kevin Kliman, Co-Founder of Humi, shares his journey from dentistry to entrepreneurship and how his firsthand experience as a small business owner shaped his vision for simplifying HR, payroll, and benefits management. With Humi’s recent acquisition by Employment Hero, Kevin discusses what this partnership means for Canadian SMEs, the new tools and innovations on the horizon, and how businesses can navigate the evolving employment tech landscape. As technology continues to reshape HR operations, Kevin offers valuable insights and advice for business owners looking to streamline processes, enhance employee experiences, and set their companies up for scalable success.
Kevin Kliman is the co-founder and CEO of Humi, Canada’s trusted employment platform. Kevin has been starting businesses since high school and loves to support early-stage entrepreneurs in getting things off the ground.
Kevin, your journey from dentistry to entrepreneurship is intriguing. Can you share how your experience as a dentist has influenced your approach to building and leading Humi, especially in the context of supporting Canadian SMEs?
My background as a dentist actually plays a bigger role in my journey with Humi than most people would expect. Dentistry taught me a lot about managing people, processes, and the daily challenges of running a small business. I know firsthand how tough it can be to juggle everything – keeping your team happy, staying on top of payroll, and handling all the administrative tasks that come with running a business.
That experience gave me a lot of empathy for small and medium-sized business owners, especially here in Canada. I wanted to create something that would make their lives easier — a platform like Humi that’s designed to simplify the important, yet often overwhelming aspects of running a business, so they can focus on what they do best. Dentistry also taught me to care about the details and build trust, both of which have shaped how I lead and how we’ve grown Humi into what it is today.
Employment Hero recently acquired Humi, a significant milestone. How do you see this partnership enhancing Humi’s ability to serve Canadian businesses, and what immediate benefits can SMEs expect from this union?
The acquisition by Employment Hero is a huge milestone for Humi and one we’re incredibly excited about. This partnership allows us to combine Employment Hero’s global expertise and resources with Humi’s deep understanding of the unique needs of Canadian businesses.
For Canadian SMEs, this means access to an even broader suite of tools and features to simplify HR, payroll, and benefits management—all while staying laser-focused on local compliance and challenges. For example, Employment Hero’s technology will help us introduce more automation and advanced reporting capabilities, giving businesses more time to focus on growing their teams and their companies.
In the short term, SMEs can expect a seamless experience as we integrate new tools into the platform. Over time, they’ll see even greater innovation and support, ensuring Humi continues to be a trusted partner for Canadian businesses as they scale.
With the integration of Employment Hero’s global expertise, what new tools or innovations will now be available to Humi’s Canadian customers? How do these additions align with the unique needs of the Canadian market?
With Employment Hero’s global expertise now part of the equation, Humi customers will gain access to additional tools and features designed to make HR and payroll management even more seamless and efficient. For example, we’re very excited to launch SmartMatch in Canada this year, which will enable businesses to quickly connect with skilled workers across Canada, including those in remote regions.
What makes this exciting is that we’re integrating these tools while keeping a strong focus on the unique needs of Canadian businesses—things like bilingual compliance, Canadian tax and payroll regulations, and local employee benefits. Our joint forces allow us to combine a global perspective with localized expertise, ensuring businesses here have access to cutting-edge technology tailored to their specific challenges.
Ultimately, our goal is to help Canadian SMEs thrive by giving them the tools to simplify their day-to-day operations and focus on growth. This integration takes us another big step toward that mission.
The employment tech landscape is rapidly evolving. How does Humi plan to leverage this acquisition to shape the future of employment technology in Canada, and what role do you envision for Humi in this transformation?
The employment tech landscape is evolving quickly, and this acquisition gives Humi the tools and resources to better support Canadian businesses as they navigate these changes. With Employment Hero’s technology and global expertise, we’ll be able to introduce practical innovations like more advanced automation, tools to streamline compliance, and features that improve employee engagement and retention.
Our focus is on making HR and payroll simpler and more effective for SMEs, so they can spend less time on admin and more time growing their businesses. We’re keeping a close eye on trends like remote work, AI in HR, and policies like the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program, ensuring we’re always building solutions that meet the challenges Canadian businesses are facing right now.
In the bigger picture, we see Humi leading the charge in bringing modern, easy-to-use employment technology to Canadian SMEs. This acquisition helps us raise the bar for what businesses can expect from their employment platforms while staying true to our mission of empowering teams and companies.
As we conclude, what advice would you offer to Canadian SME owners and entrepreneurs who are navigating the complexities of HR, payroll, and benefits in today’s business environment?
My biggest piece of advice for Canadian SME owners and entrepreneurs is to prioritize simplicity and scalability when it comes to managing HR, payroll, and benefits. These areas can quickly become overwhelming, especially as your business grows, but having the right systems and tools in place from the start can save you a lot of time, stress, and resources down the line. Remember, your people are your greatest asset—focus on creating a great employee experience with competitive benefits and seamless processes.
