Hey guys

I've got a question for you about your hiring practices. My company has grown considerably in the past couple years and aside from a couple occasional part-time college helpers I'm a one man operation. I'd like to find someone who is skilled and would work as a subcontractor (legally) but not sure where these folks usually hang out. I don't imagine they spend their nights scouring through woodweb.com ads or surfing boards like this.

What approach do you guys usually take to hiring?

You can put ads in your distributors where they go to buy supplies. My distributors have bulletin boards for that. You could advertise in your local paper. Ask around at other retailers who hire subcontractors if they know anyone looking for work. IMO, networking with business associates works best. Keep in mind, since whomever you hire is a "sub" and not an employee, unless you keep him/her busy, happy and well-paid, they'll be subbing for someone else. The only loyal subs I know are treated very well and paid well too. It would be wise to check your state labor laws to determine whom they consider is a subcontractor and who is an employee. Just because you may pay piece work doesn't make someone a subcontractor. In my state (Ca), there are quite a few requirements one has to fullfil to be considered a subcontractor.