Most small business owners (67.2%) are optimistic about the growth of their business over the next six months, despite significant hiring challenges, according to new survey data from SCORE, the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. Comparable data from a 2017 SCORE survey showed similar levels of optimism (69% of small businesses owners), suggesting that the pandemic has not crushed entrepreneurial spirits. 

To attract and retain employees, survey respondents report offering:

• Increased wages (60.5%)

• Professional training and skill development (36.6%)

• Remote work options (34.6%)

Personal recommendations are key to finding qualified employees. Business owners are most successful finding employees through:

• Recommendations from other workers (56%)

• Job posting sites (46.6%)

• Recommendations from other business owners (34.9%)

Still, most (55.1%) small business owners expect hiring challenges to continue into 2022 and beyond.

One frustrated business owner said: "Unfortunately, [I don't believe] the workforce will return to pre-pandemic expectations. I am not sure I will be able to hold out for six more months where I can afford to hire local people. I am taking a hard look at moving manufacturing of my products overseas."

To recover from the pandemic and attract top talent, business owners request outside help and additional resources including:

• Better healthcare options for small business employers (51%)

• Loan forgiveness/debt relief (49.9%)

• Access to capital (41.5%)

• Termination of unemployment benefits (38.7%)

"Access to good, affordable child care would help my employees return to a fuller schedule. Right now, child care expenses negate their pay," said one survey respondent. "We can't provide both high pay and more robust benefits. Our whole industry would improve if there were some good public options for these."

Download the infographic for more information on small business recovery. Click here to download the full Megaphone of Main Street: Small Business Jobs Reportand an additional infographic on the struggle by small businesses to hire qualified employees.