FOCUSSED ONNED ANSWER VAMT AND SUCCESS OF OUR MEMBERS.

WE'RE THE VOICE REPRESENTING ALL INDUSTRIES.

WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP BUILD A MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY.

THROUGH ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, NETWORKING, AND BENEFITS.

NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

A GAME-CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

VISIT.

>>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

THE BAG BAN BEGINS.

HOW BUSINESSES ARE HANDLING THE FINANCIAL IMPACT.

>>> PLUS IN THE HOT SEAT.

THE LABOR COMMISSIONER GETS AN EARFUL FROM LAWMAKERS FURIOUS ABOUT THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM.

>>> AND NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK!

WE'RE PUTTING THE STATE OF SMALL BUSINESS IN FOCUS.

TALKING TO LEADERS ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM THE CURRENT CLIMATE FOR BUSINESSES IN OUR STATE TO CYBERSECURITY FOR THE SMALLEST BUSINESSES.

THAT'S AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

>> Announcer: THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" WITH RONDA >>> HELLO.

I'M RONDA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON YOUTUBE, MAKE SURE YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS SO YOU TUBE SPOT CHANNEL TO GET ALERTED WHEN WE POST NEW EPISODES AND CLIPS.

SOME HATE IT.

SOME SUPPORT IT.

SOME FORGOT ABOUT IT.

IT'S NEW JERSEY'S PLASTIC BAG BAN, WHICH WENT INTO EFFECT A FEW DAYS AGO.

GROCERY AND OTHER STORES HAD TO STOCK UP ON ALTERNATIVES, WHICH CAME AT A PRICE, WHILE CUSTOMERS HAD TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, TOO.

HERE IS WHAT WE HEARD ON THE FIRST DAY THE BAN BEGAN.

>> SOME ARE COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDING THE SITUATION AND SOME ARE MISERABLE.

IT DEPENDS ON THE CUSTOMER.

IT DEPENDS ON HOW THEY SEE IT.

SOME ARE FOR IT.

SAYING, YES, IT HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT.

SOME ARE JUST LIKE, NO, IT'S CRAZY.

>> HAVING TO SEARCH FOR RECYCLED CONTENT, WHICH IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SUPPORTIVE OF IT.

IT'S JUST AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE DEALING SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND INFLATION.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO INFLATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE THIS WEEK HIKED INTEREST RATES AGAIN TO TRY TO CONTROL INFLAGS.

THAT RATTLED FINANCIAL MARKETS AND LEFT SOME PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

SO FAR THE JOB MARKET IS HOLDING UP.

WE HAVE A RECORD NUMBER OF JOB OPENINGS IN THE COUNTRY.

ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER CRUNCHERS AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THERE WERE MORE THAN 11.5 MILLION OPEN POSITIONS AS OF LATE MARCH.

THAT IS AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

ONE REASON FOR THAT?

PLENTY OF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO HAND IN THEIR TWO WEEKS NOTICE.

THE GOVERNMENT SAID THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE QUITTING THEIR JOBS IN MARCH TOTALED MORE THAN 4.5 MILLION.

THAT'S ALSO A RECORD.

IF YOU'VE LOST YOUR JOB, THE PROCESS OF FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT EASIER.

NEARLY $20 MILLION IN STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS IS BEING USED TO REVAMP THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES ADJUSTING THE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS AND CHANGING SOME OF THE QUESTIONS SO THEY'RE MORE EASILY UNDERSTOOD.

YOU'LL RECALL DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WORKERS HAD TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

CONFUSION OVER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS DELAYED THEIR BENEFITS.

>>> MEANTIME, NEW JERSEY'S STATE LABOR COMMISSIONER ROBERT ASARO ANGELO HIGHLIGHTED THE CHANGES DURING A STATE BUDGET HEARING THIS WEEK IN TRENTON.

HE ASKED LAWMAKERS FOR THEIR PATIENCE AS CHANGES ARE MADE.

SOME LAWMAKERS TOOK HIM TO TASK FOR THE WAIT TIMES THEIR CONSTITUENTS FACED WHEN SEEKING ANSWERS ABOUT THEIR CLAIMS.

>> CONSTANTLY FOCUSSED ON SERVING AS MANY WORKERS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY ALONG THE WAY TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF MILLIONS OF CLAIMS.

WE'VE HIRED HUNDREDS OF STAFF THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, WITH MORE ON THE WAY.

>> COMMISSIONER, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CONSTITUENTS CALLING MY OFFICE.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR FOLKS NOT CALLING US BACK.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR FOLKS BLOWING OFF E-MAILS FROM LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OFFICE AND FOLLOW UPS.

>> WORKERS AT TWO NEW JERSEY STARBUCKS STORES CAST THEIR VOTES TO UNIONIZE THIS WEEK.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WAS ON HAND TO CELEBRATE THE WIN FOR WORKERS.

THIS AFTER WORKERS AT A HOPEWELL STARBUCKS BECAME THE FIRST TO UNIONIZE IN THE STATE IN LATE APRIL.

STARBUCKS, THIS WEEK, ANNOUNCED IT WOULD PROVIDE WORKER PAY RAISES BUT ONLY TO WORKERS WHO ARE NOT IN A UNION.

STILL LABOR LEADERS SAY THERE'S MOMENTUM IN THE UNION DRIVE.

>> THEY SEE THE POWER OF THE COLLECTIVE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO JUST SIT BACK AND TAKE IT.

THE MISTREATMENT, THE WAGES, LACK OF SAFETY AND HEALTH CONDITIONS.

THEY CAN COME TOGETHER IN A UNION AND HAVE MORE POWER.

>> THE PENDULUM SEEMS TO HAVE SHIFTED IN THE DIRECTION AND SWINGING MORE TOWARD AN UPTICK IN WORKER INTEREST IN UNIONS.

YOU'RE SEEING IT REFLECTED IN THE ORGANIZING EFFORTS BY YOUNG WORKERS AND IN THE TECH I HAVE AND ARTS AND CULTURE INDUSTRY AND STARBUCKS, AS WELL.

>> LGBTQ BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING A STATE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR THOSE BUSINESSES.

THE CERTIFICATIONS ALREADY EXIST FOR OTHER MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

HAVING THAT EXPANDS ACCESS TO PUBLIC CONTRACTS AMONG OTHER THINGS.

WE GOT REACTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S MOVE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE NEW JERSEY PRIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> SO IT IS A GAME-CHANGER IN THE SENSE IT'S POSSIBLY GOING TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES THAT ARE LGBT OWNED TO COME AND CALL NEW JERSEY HOME.

AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL ENOUGH TO WIN BIDS AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE NOW OPEN TO THEM ON TOP OF WHAT THEY ALREADY WERE WORKING WITH, YOU CAN SEE THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING BUSINESSES, HIRING OF MORE EMPLOYEES; THEREFORE, YOU KNOW, ADDING TO THE OVERALL STATE'S ECONOMY.

>> WHEN YOU HEAD TO THE MALL, YOU EXPECT TO SHOP AT CHAIN STORES.

BUT ONE NEW JERSEY SHOPPING CENTER IS INVITING MOM AND POP RETAILERS TO SET UP SHOP.

THE WESTFIELD GARDEN STATE PLAZA RECENTLY LAUNCHED AN INITIATIVE THAT GIVES SMALL BUSINESSES SOME PRIME REAL ESTATE.

I SPOKE ABOUT THIS WITH CHRIS NINEHART, DIRECTOR OF LEASING OF THE MALL, AND ERIKA OLDMAN OWNER AND OPERATOR OF CHIC SUGARS.

THE FIRST BUSINESS TO TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAM.

IT'S GOOD IT SEE YOU BOTH.

CHRIS, I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH YOU.

WHY DID THE MALCOLM UP WITH THE CONCEPT TO GIVE SMALL BUSINESSES AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME NEW REAL ESTATE, IF YOU WILL.

WE WERE SITTING AT HOME FOR THE PANDEMIC AND PAID ATTENTION TO NEWS BROADCAST ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS AND HOW THEY WERE AFFECTED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

WE THOUGHT HOW THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED THE MALL SINCE THE LATE 1950s AND HOW COULD WE BETTER SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE THESE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE PILLARS OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

WE GOT THE WHEELS TURNING AND PUT TOGETHER PLANS ON HOW WE CAN ALLEVIATE BARRIERS OF ENTRY TO GARDEN STATE PLAZA AND GET PEOPLE INTO THE MALL IN HOPES TO TRANSITION THEM INTO LONGER TERM TENANTS.

>> ERIKA, OVER TO YOU.

IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU JUMPED AT.

WHY?

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A LOCATION IN ENGELWOOD.

IT'S OUR FLAGSHIP STORE.

AND THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO, I GUESS, PRESENT OUR PRODUCTS TO WAY MORE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, IN A DIFFERENT SETTING WAS REALLY APPEALING TO US.

THE IDEA THAT WE COULD KIND OF FOCUS ON OUR RETAIL THINGS.

WE'RE KNOWN FOR THE CUSTOM CAKES BUT ABLE TO DOWNSIZE INTO SMALLER TREATS AND, AGAIN, BRING THOSE TO THE MASSES WAS DEFINITELY A, YOU KNOW, KEY POINT FOR US.

>> AND, ERIKA, HOW HAS THAT IMPACTED YOUR BUSINESS?

HAVE YOU SEEN A BUMP IN SALES?

>> YES, WE HAVE SEEN A BUMP IN SALES.

WE JUST OPENED UP FOUR WEEKS AGO.

WE'RE STILL, YOU KNOW, KIND OF GETTING OUR LAND LEGS.

BUT IT IS DEFINITELY OPENING A LOT OF DOORS FOR US.

>> AND, CHRIS, BACK OVER TO YOU.

IT'S, OBVIOUSLY, A WIN-WIN.

I'M SURE, AS WELL, YOU WOULD RATHER HAVE STORE SPOTS OCCUPIED THAN UNOCCUPIED.

WHETHER IT'S SHORTER TERM LEASES OR LONGER.

>> DEFINITELY.

WE'VE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF OCCUPANCY THIS YEAR AT GARDEN STATE PLAZA.

WE ALSO HAVE AS A MENTORING FILLS UP IN THE STORES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS OF INVENTORY WE CAN OFFER IN THE COMMON AREA AND THE PARKING LOT SUCH AS CAR SHOWS AND CARNIVALS AND KIOSK PROGRAMS.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE MALL IS HUGE AND HAS A LOT OF INVENTORY FOR STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> CHRIS, HAVE YOU SEEN A PROGRAM LIKE THIS LAUNCHED ELSEWHERE IN THE U.S.

IN TERMS OF MALLS OPENING THEIR DOORS TO SOME OF THE SMALLER BUSINESSES AROUND THE COMMUNITY?

>> I THINK MOST MALLS HAVE DONE BUSINESS WITH SMALL BUSINESSES BUT THEY HAVEN'T HAD SUCH A FOCUS THAT I KNOW OF THAT GARDEN STATE HAS.

WESTFIELD WE LOOK TO DO LOCALLY-OWNED, MINORITY-OWNED SPECIFIC CONCENTRATION ON THE MINORITY-OWNED AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

>> ERIKA, TO YOU, DO YOU THINK IT'S A PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE OUT OF?

ARE YOU LOOKING AT THIS AS AN EXPERIMENT IN WHICH YOU'LL GO BACK TO YOUR STORE FRONT AND TAKE NEW IDEAS?

>> NO.

DEFINITELY LONG-TERM MOVE FOR US.

WHILE THERE IS THE INITIATIVE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ALLOWED FOR SMALLER LEASES, WE FELT CONFIDENT IN OUR SUCCESS AT GARDEN STATE THAT WE WENT WITH A LONGER TERM LEASE AND SIGNED ON FOR FIVE YEARS.

THIS IS A, YES, EXPERIMENT BUT IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP THE TWO OF YOU ARE IN NOW.

AND ONE WORTH NOTING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> ALL THIS WEEK, THERE HAVE BEEN EVENTS AROUND THE STATE MARKING NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SAID THIS YEAR'S CELEBRATION FOCUSES ON THE RESILIENCY AND TENACITY OF ENTREPRENEURS WHO ARE TODOING THEIR PART TO HELP THE ECONOMY COME BACK.

WE'RE PUTTING NEW JERSEY'S SMALL BUSINESSES IN FOCUS THIS WEEK.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 937,000 SMALL BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY EMPLOYING 1.9 MILLION PEOPLE OR NEARLY HALF OF THE STATE'S EMPLOYEES.

MOST OF OUR STATE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE IN THE PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECH SERVICES FIELDS.

FOLLOWED BY REAL ESTATE, RENTALS, AND LEASING, TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSING, OTHER SERVICES, AND CONSTRUCTION.

HERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT THAT.

HERE ARE THE SMALL BUSINESSES EMPLOYING THE MOST WORKERS.

YOU SEE A LOT OF THOSE TOP INDUSTRIES LISTED HERE, TOO.

MOST OF NEW JERSEY'S SMALL BUSINESSES, MORE THAN 528,000 ARE OWNED BY MEN.

WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES TOTAL MORE THAN 300,000.

THE NUMBER OF BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, TOTAL MORE THAN 82,000.

HISPANIC-OWNED BUSINESSES CLOSE TO 121,000.

SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE GONE FLU A LOT IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

I ASKED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NJBIA HOW SHE WOULD DESCRIBE THE STATE OF SMALL BUSINESS IN NEW JERSEY TODAY.

>> CHALLENGING.

SIGNIFICANTLY CHALLENGING.

WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE IMPACTS OF HAVING BEEN CLOSED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME DURING COVID.

A WORK FORCE THAT HASN'T COME BACK.

INFLATION ON TOP OF THAT.

AND WE NEED MORE RESOURCES TO OUR BUSINESSES.

RONDA, WITH WE ARE DOWN 30% SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

OVER JANUARY OF 2020, AND WE'VE HAD NEW STARTS.

WE'RE ABOUT 13% DOWN IN NEW STARTS.

SO WE'RE LACKING OUR BUSINESSES' ABILITY TO GROW.

TO SUSTAIN.

THEY'RE HURTING IT.

>> A REPORT FROM NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP FOUND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SMALL BUSINESSES LOST 120,000 JOBS IN APRIL.

THE NJBIA HAS BEEN URGING LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDING TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE NEW FISCAL BUDGET.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS HAVING ITS COMMITMENT TO SMALL BUSINESSES DURING NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK.

THE STATE ANNOUNCING IT WILL BEGIN TAKING APPLICATIONS NEXT MONTH FOR ITS MICROBUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM.

A WAY TO GET MORE FUNDING TO THOSE WHO NEED IT.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SAID IT'S PROVIDED NEARLY 5.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO OVER 230 NEW JERSEY'S SMALL BUSINESSES SINCE LAST FALL THROUGH THE MAIN STREET RECOVERY PROGRAM.

THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES ANOTHER $50 MILLION FOR THAT PROGRAM.

WHILE THE PANDEMIC LEAD TO MANY SMALL BUSINESS CLOSINGS, SOME ENTREPRENEURS FOUND IT TO BE A TIME OF OPPORTUNITY.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH KRISTIN MEYER, WHO IN THE MIST OF COVID, LAUNCHED THE COOKIE SHOP IN RIVERDALE.

SHE SHARED HER STORY WITH ME.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

YOU'RE ONE OF THE ENTREPRENEURS WHO STARTED A BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT WAS GOING ON THAT MADE YOU DECIDE THE TIME IS RIGHT TO DO SO?

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, I THOUGHT I WOULD MAKE IT MY MISSION TO FIND THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE ON THE PLANET.

I TRIED OUT DOZENS AND DOZENS OF RECIPES.

COOKBOOKS, WEBSITES, WELLNESS CHEFS, AND BAKERS.

SO I KIND OF JUST COMBINED, YOU KNOW, THIS, THAT, AND THE OTHER AND CAME UP WITH MY OWN RECIPE.

TRIED IT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND EVERYONE LOVED THEM.

>> SO YOU STARTED SELLING IN EARNEST AND DID YOU GET MORE CLIENTS FROM WORD OF MOUTH OR DID YOU ACTIVELY GO OUT AND TRY TO SEEK BUSINESS?

>> SO, MOST OF IT, I THINK, IS WORD OF MOUTH.

WHEN I STARTED, YOU KNOW, JUST KIND OF HANDING OUT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AT EVENTS, AND, YOU KNOW, I'M A TEACHER.

SO STUDENTS AND OTHER TEACHERS.

THEY WOULD SAY, OH, GOSH, YOU CAN SELL THESE.

YOU CAN MAKE SOME MONEY.

SO I THOUGHT, WELL, WHY NOT.

>> YOU MADE MONEY?

>> NOT A TON.

YOU KNOW, THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IS QUITE EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS.

BUT I'M NOT DOING IT REALLY TO MAKE A HUGE PROFIT.

I'M DOING IT BECAUSE I LOVE TO BAKE.

I LOVE TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE.

THAT'S MY REAL GOAL.

IF I MAKE A FEW DOLLARS HERE AND THERE, GREAT.

>> YOU HAVE YOUR OTHER JOB, RIGHT?

YOU'RE KIND OF DOING BOTH?

>> YEAH.

A SPANISH TEACHER BY DAY AND BAKER BY EVENING.

>> ANY AMBITIONS TO GO BEYOND NEW JERSEY OR WIDEN THE CIRCLE A BIT?

IT SOUNDS LIKE WORD OF MOUTH IS DEFINITELY WORKING, BUT I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAVE BIG AMBITIONS OR IF IT'S JUST KIND OF SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE DOING OUT OF YOUR HEART.

>> I HAVE AN INSTAGRAM AND I HAVE A FACEBOOK.

SO I'VE BEEN, YOU KNOW, USING THAT TO PROMOTE A LITTLE BIT.

RIGHT NOW AS A FULL-TIME TEACHER AND FULL-TIME MOM OF TWO SMALL CHILDREN, I'M KEEPING IT LOCAL FOR NOW.

I'M NOT SAYING NO TO ANYTHING THAT MIGHT COME MY WAY.

IF THERE'S OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUTURE, I'M EXCITED FOR THOSE.

>> WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED?

STARTING THIS BUSINESS ON THE SIDE?

>> MY TIME IS VALUABLE, I THINK.

WHAT I CHOOSE TO DO WITH MY TIME, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, I LOVE BAKING.

I THINK ANOTHER LESSON I LEARNED IS THAT I LOVE IT MORE THAN I THOUGHT I DID.

>> A PANDEMIC SUCCESS STORY.

IT'S GREAT TO HEAR IT.

NICE TALKING TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, RONDA.

>>> AS PART OF NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, THE SBA NAMED THE NEW JERSEY 2022 SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR.

SHE IS BEVERLY ZICARO PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF SENIOR SOLUTIONS FOR THE JERSEY SHORE.

IT'S A POINT PLEASANT-BASED COMPANY THAT PROVIDES CARE VISITS TO THE ELDERLY.

SHE'S TOUGH AS NAILS AFTER BEING LAID OFF, BEVERLY LEARNED NEW SKILLS, MADE WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A TEMPORARY CAREER MOVE, AND THEN ENDED UP LAUNCHING A BUSINESS THAT IS EXPANDING AND HIRING TODAY.

HERE IS HER BEST ADVICE FOR OTHER WOULD BE ENTREPRENEURS.

>> THE BEST THING I WOULD GIVE SOMEONE IS TO DO YOUR RESEARCH AND TRY TO OPEN UP YOUR MIND TO DIFFERENT AVENUES OF WORK.

DON'T CLOSE YOUR MIND OFF THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF JOB AND YOU HAVE TO DO THIS, THIS, AND THIS.

TRY TO TAKE YOUR QUALITIES YOU DO HAVE, YOUR KNOWLEDGE, AND YOUR EXPERIENCE.

TRY TO REFOCUS INTO ANOTHER INDUSTRY OR ANOTHER TYPE OF JOB THAT MAYBE YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD DO.

>> FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE BEVERLY, STAFFING UP IS A CHALLENGE IN THIS CURRENT LABOR MARKET.

WE'RE SEEING THAT PROBLEM IN ALL SORTS OF INDUSTRIES FROM HEALTH CARE TO CONSTRUCTION.

I SPOKE WITH MARJORIE PERRY, THE CEO OF NEWARK-BASED MCM CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT WHO TOLD ME IT'S A STRUGGLE TO FIND WORKERS FOR HER PROJECTS.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

I RECENTLY WAS AN EVENT, A CONFERENCE, AND HEARD YOU SPOKE.

YOU SHARED SOME CHALLENGES YOU'RE FACING WHEN IT COMES TO WORK FORCE, HIRING, FINDING STAFF.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING NOW AND HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE MONTHS AND YEARS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE SKILLED LABORERS COMING INTO THE FIELD AS QUICKLY AS PROJECTS ARE GOING OUT.

IF TAKES A GOOD FIVE TO SIX YEARS TO GET A PERSON READY FOR JOURNEY PERSON THAT IS MALE OR FEMALE TO BE ABLE TO BE ON A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR TYPE PROJECT.

SO WE'RE HURTING ON THE ENGINEERING SIDE.

WE'RE HURTING ON THE CONSTRUCTION SIDE.

>> I FIND IT SO INTERESTING BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD SO MUCH TALK AND SO MANY PRESS CONFERENCES ABOUT HOW GREAT IT IS THAT WE'RE GETTING ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN NEW JERSEY.

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS.

SOME OF THESE PROJECTS MIGHT NOT HAPPEN AS QUICKLY AS PEOPLE THINK THEN?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF PUSH TO GET THE UNION TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO GET THEM IN.

AGAIN, A JOURNEY PERSON TAKES ANYWHERE FROM FIVE TO SIX YEARS TO REALLY BECOME A JOURNEY PERSON.

WHERE YOU CAN LEAVE THEM ON THEIR OWN AND THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO AND GO.

THE LABOR SIDE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GET A LITTLE BIT MORE LABOR BUT THEY'RE NOT THE PLUMBERS, THEY'RE NOT THE HVAC GUYS, THEY'RE NOT THE ELECTRICIANS.

THOSE ARE THE SKILLS THAT YOU NEED ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGES THAT ARE COMING IN.

>> MARJORIE, SOMETHING THAT IS SO INTERESTING THAT YOU HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT SOME OF THESE FIELDS YOU MENTIONED, THE PAY IS SO MUCH HIGHER THAN I THINK MANY PEOPLE REALIZE.

SHARE WITH ME SOME OF THE DETAILS ON THAT.

>> AVERAGE -- COMING OUT IS MAY START OFF AT 65 TO $75,000.

CARPENTER IS PROBABLY $150,000.

OR $100,000.

BUT WE'RE SAYING NO, NO, NO.

WE NEED TO BE MORE PROFESSIONAL.

THE SAME SKILLS, ELECTRICIAN, PLUMBER, ONE OF MY MASTER CARPENTERS MAKES ALMOST $69 AN HOUR!

THAT'S GOOD PAY ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

YOU KNOW, ELECTRICIANS ARE UP TO $80 AN HOUR.

>> WHOSE JOB IS IT TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTO THE TRADES?

IS IT INDUSTRY?

IS IT THE STATE?

IS IT ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS?

DOES IT HAVE TO BE A TEAM MEMBER HERE TO SOLVE THE WORK FORCE SHORTAGE IN THESE INDUSTRIES?

>> I THINK IT IS EVERYTHING.

INCLUDING PARENTS.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO DO WHAT I DID.

I WANT YOU TO GO TO COLLEGE.

I THINK THERE HAS TO BE A REBALANCE IN THE THINKING SO THAT INDIVIDUALS WILL UNDERSTAND THAT, NO, .

>> IT'S GREAT TO CATCH UP WITH YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, RONDA.

TAKE CARE NOW.

>>> BETWEEN TRYING TO FIND WORKERS AND DEALING WITH OTHER ISSUES LIKE SUPPLY CHAIN IS PROBLEMS AND RISING INFLATION, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATES.

HIRE IS SOMETHING ELSE.

A RECENT SURVEY FINDS SMALL BUSINESSES AREN'T PAYING ENOUGH ATTENTION TO CYBERSECURITY THREATS.

EVEN THOUGH ONE IN FIVE ONLINE SM SMALL BUSINESSES HAS BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CYBER ATTACK THIS YEAR.

TO LEARN MORE, I SPOKE WITH THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF SPEAR TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS BASED IN NEWARK.

>> IT'S DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE CYBER ATTACKS.

WE HAVE PHISHING ATTACKS WHERE IT RANGES FROM KIDS IN BASEMENTS AND ALL SORTS OF COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.

EITHER POKING FUN AT OTHER COMPANIES OR DOING SOMETHING POTENTIALLY NEFARIOUS.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PUBLICITY ABOUT THE BIG NAMES, THE LARGE COMPANIES THE GOVERNMENTS AROUND POTENTIAL RANSOM WARE ATTACKS AND PHISHING ATTACKS, AS WELL.

AND NOW SMALL BUSINESSES ARE STARTING TO FEEL THE PRESSURE AND STARTING TO ACTUALLY EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE IMPACTS THESE ATTACKS ON THEM, AS WELL.

>> I WOULD THINK FOR A SMALL BUSINESS, AN ATTACK CAN BE PARTICULARLY CRIPPLING BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT HAVING THE SAME ACCESS TO PRODUCTS LARGE COMPANIES HAVE.

>> A START UP OR SMALL COMPANY LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IS DIFFICULT.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE STRAPPED.

>> IS THERE A WAY THAT SMALL BUSINESSES CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES WITH MODEST FUNDING?

I THINK THAT MIGHT BE ONE REASON WHY SMALL BUSINESSES DON'T THINK ABOUT INVESTING IN CYBERSECURITY.

>> THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN START THE PROCESS WITHOUT BANK BREAKING THE BANK.

EVEN THE MEDIA AND THE WORLD AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TALKING ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AROUND CYBERSECURITY NATURALLY AND ORGANICALLY DRAWING ATTENTION TO THIS.

MAKE IT PERSONAL TO YOUR STAFF.

SEND SCREEN SHOTS OF ATTEMPTS OF PHISHING.

TALK TO YOUR COWORKERS ABOUT IT REGULARLY.

IT'S DRIVE THE AWARENESS THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

WE'RE A CYBERSECURITY COMPANY AND WE STILL CONTINUE TO SEE TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES ON THE TOPIC.

WE MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE ACCESS TO ANYTHING FINANCIAL, POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE DATA ABOUT OUR COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, THAT IS TAKEN US DECADES TO KWOP WE MAKE SURE THEY'RE AWARE IN OUR TENURE AT OUR COMPANY AND REINFORCE THE MESSAGE REGULARLY.

WE ALSO DO STATE PHISHING ATTEMPTS WITHIN OUR BUSINESS TO SEE IF THERE ARE POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES AND ELEVATED TRAINING.

>> GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU AGAIN AND GET ADVICE ON THIS TOPIC, WHICH IS, INDEED, MAKING HEADLINES LATELY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

I'M RONDA.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL COVER EVERYTHING FROM SOUP TO NUTS AS WE SLICE INTO NEW JERSEY'S FOOD INDUSTRY.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THEN!

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

>>> FUNDING FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT, PROVIDED BY, FOR MORE THAN 110 YEARS, NJ-BIA HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THE ADVANCEMENT AND SUCCESS OF OUR MEMBERS.

WE'RE THE VOICE REPRESENTING ALL INDUSTRIES.

WORKING TOGETHER, TO HELP BUILD A MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY.

THROUGH ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, NETWORKING AND BENEFITS.

NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

A GAME-CHANGING FORCE.

OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY.

OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS, AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAME CHANGER.

AND IBEW LOCAL 102.

PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102.

LIGHTING THE PATH.

LEADING THE WAY.

VISIT IBEW 102.ORG.