It’s never easy to find good employees, and if you ask any owner, recruitment and retention are two areas they often need most help in. That said, you should look at changing the way you hire, and look for systems you can implement in your business to provide checks, balances and accountability.

The first thing to do is get a system in place so you absolutely know your numbers inside and out. Suspecting $2000 is missing is not the same as knowing, and that isn’t a small amount to go unnoticed – especially in your type of business.

Second, start to conduct group interviews and do background checks for anyone coming into the business in position to oversee or handle money. In a group interview, you can explain your company culture and your “Rules of the Game,” and let people know upfront theft or fraud or ripping off the company won’t be tolerated – and will be prosecuted.

Finally, work to develop your own store goals you can build a team around. How about “XX% of extra revenues and profit this year,” the reward of hitting the goal being bonuses or an end of year outing for the team.

Know that you may have to work harder to find good team – especially in your category. But also know there are good people out there now looking for any opportunity to get back to work – and who knows? One of them may be the manager you need who is willing to start “at the bottom” but who can help you reduce your own hours in the business a year or so from now.