Carla Javier

Wade says small businesses in construction and transportation, for example, still face challenges finding and retaining workers with specific skill sets.

Something Duane Grohl, CEO of Environmental Design Group in Ohio, knows firsthand.

He and the 130 employees at his civil engineering and construction services company deliver designs, oversee projects, and help clients raise funding.

Grohl says he's looking to hire at least five more experienced employees, and he's raised compensation to retain staff.

When it comes to stable prices, in other words, keeping inflation under control, NFIB says that's a top concern of businesses in retail, particularly ones that depend on imported goods.

Lofty is a 10-person company that sells clocks and lamps that help you sleep.

CEO Matthew Hassett says tariffs have made a big impact.

including consultants, and leaving an open position unfilled.

Hassett has raised prices, too.

The lamps that Lofty used to sell for $275 are now almost $300.

Hassett says there's been a lot of unpredictability in the U.S.

economy, so he's hoping to sell more product outside of the country in the future.

I'm Carla Javier for Marketplace.