What about Workers?

There's and HVAC business near me that's willing to pay a HS graduate $35/hr while training them.

Then bring them on FT at $80k+.

They can't get anyone to finish the training.

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There's a guy who installed & maintains my water filer system (we have a well and there's a lot of iron in this area.)

Apart from treating water for who knows how many homes in the county (based on how hard it is to get into his schedule, it's a lot)...

...he also has contracts with mining companies that are obligated to treat runoff in the area.

He is doing very, very well for himself.

He's in his 60s.

And he's got not idea who will ever take over so he can retire.

The only "assistant" he's managed to keep is older than he is.

His son would happily take over the business if he could run it from behind a desk. And he could probably do that financially. If he could only hire anyone...
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It's the same around here for electricians, mechanics, masons, contractors...

So here's my question to current or past searchers: how are you handling staffing? Is it a concern? Are you limiting your search to businesses that can be minimally staffed? Or those that have already managed to find a few good employees?

Or are you planning to roll up your sleeves and do all the work yourself? That's admirable, but you have to wonder if it's sustainable let alone scalable...

Or is this problem not as ubiquitous as it seems from here?