I remember just before the pandemic just about every non-trade job in my area was hiring at minimum wage. I’d hear store owners say they’re short staffed because nobody wants to work.

I said “How much do you start employees at?” And they’d say $7.10 per hour."

I said “At those wages, I imagine they don’t want to work an adult job when Mcdonalds down the street hires for $8.00 an hour.”

These small business owners never wanted to admit the problem. In those days, if he’d have said $12 an hour, I’d likely have applied.