If you’re a small Business owner struggling to fill open positions with qualified workers, you’re not alone. Many Main Street business face the same problem.

One out of three small Business Owners need employees to fill open roles, but they’re finding them in short supply in a tight job market.

A limited supply of qualified workers may have you wondering how you’re going to get the job done and grow your business.

Read on to learn more about how small businesses are bringing in new talent and other trending news.

A Record 35% of Small Business Owners are Increasing Employee Pay

Small business owners around the U.S. are increasingly eager to fill open roles, and more than ¼ of them are boosting worker compensation.

Earlier this year, small business owners planned to use their tax breaks to pay down debt or invest in new facilities. Only 10% said they would raise employee pay.

Now, a record 35% of small business owners report that they will increase wages to bring qualified candidates on board.

A look at rising labor compensation.

Facebook Pledges to Train 1 Million Small Business Owners by 2020

If you’re unsure how to manage your small business’ digital and social media presence, Facebook wants to help.

The company aims to train one million small business owners in the next year through programs, boot camps and workshops. These events will cover skills from coding to digital marketing and more.

The goal is to find a solution for the more than 85 million jobs that could be unfilled by 2030 due to a shortage of skilled labor.

Get the skills you need to grow your small business now.

Number of Independent Workers Slips to 6.9%

More than 57 million people freelance in the United States, according to research from Upwork, and the majority of workers are predicted to freelance by 2027.

Clearly, the gig economy is growing—but it hasn’t created as many full-time freelancers as you might think.

Only 6.9% of professionals worked primarily as independent contractors in 2017, which is down from 7.4% in 2005.

What these figures mean.

Small Business Owners Clock 14-Hour Workdays

When you’re running a small business there’s no such thing as 9-to-5. You do what needs to get done, no matter the time of day.

According to the MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index, small business owners log an average of 14 hours a day, which is almost double the 7.8 hours of typical workers.

All of the hard work and long hours seems to be paying off. More than half of small businesses expect to see higher revenues in the coming year.

Why small business owners feel good about putting in extra hours.

Entrepreneurs with a Mentor Five Times More Likely to Launch a Small Business

If you want to set your small business up for success from the beginning, tap into the knowledge and resources of a mentor.

With a mentor to guide them on issues such as human resources, business expansion and start-up assistance, entrepreneurs are five times more likely to start a small business. 87% of those mentor-lead small businesses are still in business a year later.

Why mentoring matters.

Words That’ll Stick With You

“A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”

Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

To grow your small business, you need the right people on your side and the right skills to propel your business forward.

Many small business owners are enticing workers with higher pay, while others are taking advantage of lessons on coding, digital marketing and more.

It’s also helpful to have a knowledgeable mentor in your court to offer advice and help you navigate the ups and downs of small business ownership.

Do you have a business mentor? What’s the best advice you received? Send a quick note to [email protected].