Small business owners struggling to hire in today's competitive labor market may find new strategies in Episode 82 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, titled "Shannon Black | The Hiring Secrets Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know." Hosted by Bryan Eisenberg, the episode features Shannon Black, Chair of SCORE Austin, who draws on her experience as a former math teacher and founder of Sunrise Montessori to offer a systematic approach to recruiting and retention.
Black advises posting job ads on Sunday mornings, contrary to common practice. "The best time of the week to put an ad, to place it, is actually Sunday morning," she told Eisenberg. "It takes Google and other search engines about 24 hours to go through and pick up the SEO in your ad. The number one time of the week that people look for jobs are Mondays during lunchtime." She also recommends using 30 or more hashtags at the bottom of listings to improve search visibility without rewriting the ad copy.
To attract a diverse applicant pool, Black suggests avoiding "masculine" language that may deter female candidates. Her screening process includes a 10-minute Zoom pre-interview and an unexpected question: "What is your favorite color?" This helps gauge personality and cultural fit. The episode arrives as small business owners nationwide navigate post-COVID hiring shifts and AI-inflated resumes, making Black's practical tips timely.
Black, who recovered from a baby rattlesnake bite just before recording, also discussed SCORE's free mentorship model. The national nonprofit offers over 1,000 workshops per month and virtual mentor matching at score.org. She highlighted upcoming events, including a women's conference and a trades conference on June 13, as well as a four-day workshop series on valuing and selling a business. Examples of SCORE's impact include helping client Justin launch a successful Austin clay studio and supporting entrepreneur Desiree Fox of V Wear Love.
Eisenberg shared his own hiring wins after applying Black's tweaks to his home care agency, as well as a lease near-miss resolved by Round Rock realtor Bacha Porter. The conversation underscores the importance of community relationships in Central Texas's fast-growing business hub. Episode 82 is available now wherever podcasts are heard.
