Worker Shortage

So I know there was a post a few days ago about a worker vs wage shortage and everyone seemed to agree that it’s generally a wage shortage causing a worker shortage since most companies do not pay a livable wage which I used to think may be true

BUT - the more I look into it (as someone who’s trying to hire employees myself) - I don’t know that it’s a majority wage shortage and there’s more to it

A few examples:

I personally am a small business owner and am offering $25-$30 an hour starting wage and STILL can’t find anyone reliable who wants to work. You don’t need any type of degree, just a bit of experience in the industry and weekday availability with an occasional weekend.

A few of our local community pools can’t open this summer because they can’t find staffing even though they are offering $25 an hour to start. 

I just read that in our usual vacation town - which is a huge tourist shore destination in the summer that’s jam packed from MDW through Labor Day- have most of their ride piers shut down right now in the middle of summer due to a worker shortage (I don’t know their wage though- that one may be a wage issue)

Every client of mine I’ve spoken to when discussing why I haven’t been able to get employees (and they know what they pay and know I’m offering well over minimum wage) tell me they understand because their work places can’t get anyone either

One thing I’ve also noticed is that half of my competitors have dropped off completely. Summer is prime time for me (I run a pet care company so we offer walking and pet sitting services which sky rocket in the summer) and people in my community are struggling to find anyone willing to pet sit for their vacations because I’ll be on maternity leave. It’s a big community in a big city. The last two summers it was so competitive and now it’s like they can’t find a single person to help while they’re away.

So if it’s not necessarily a wage shortage - what could be the reasoning behind this?

Did people just get comfortable living off of unemployment and are okay with staying that way even if they COULD make more working?

Also- do parents these days not encourage their teens to get jobs like they used to? Some of these jobs offering $20+ per hour for summer work can’t even get the teens on summer break even though they are eligible for the positions. One of my cousins did get a job at one of the community pools who managed to open and he’s getting $30 an hour and he’s only 17 but he WANTS to work! Meanwhile his twin - just as physically capable - refuses to work simply because she doesn’t want to.

I completely get why these huge corporations offering total crap wages (ex my local Dunkin who wants people to come in at 6am for $8.50

An hour) can’t get workers but I can’t seem to figure out why those offering very fair wages can’t either

What’s everyone’s thoughts on why the companies who are offering great wages, benefits, PTO packages, still not being able fill positions?