All I can report is an employee.
I started about 7 years ago, I'm trained as a mechanic but wanted a change so I went to the trimmers(my now boss) said I can't sew but I can take stuff apart and I'm willing and able to learn.7 years on and I'm still there so I must have been ok.
We're in the same situation with workload but have taken other people on though still have far to much to do.
One was a furniture upholsterer who did a bit of subcontract work that joined us.
One was a co worker of the bosses wife (at the co op) who was also training as a mechanic.
The newest is a friend of the above, no previous experience but is doing seat repairs, cleaning up, fitting cushion covers, etc.
Had several others try the job but didn't have any flair for it and went on to other things.

When I first opened my shop I did a lot of furniture. I hired two upholsterers as sub-contractors to do the work. I bid the jobs, picked up and delivered and worked on car interiors.

One trimmer came in at 9:00 am and worked to about 2:00 pm. The other began at 1:00 pm and worked to about 7:00 pm. They earned 45% of the project that they worked on. I paid the bills, purchased materials and answered the phone.

I still turned away 3 out of every 5 projects that called. Eventually I just did not want to have anyone working with me and I concentrated on classic cars exclusively.

Check with your accountant about taxes, zoning and benefits that you should offer your people.
I feel that sub-contracting worked better than hiring an employee outright.

it to bad you are so far away I am looking for a job but to far

How is your search for employees going, any updates?

im in same position !!!!! booked till September 2019 ………………………. turning work away as some people cant wait !! I have gone though 7 people in less than 5 years … problem im getting is finding someone with the basic common sense even though they have years of experience .. I only want someone for the basic day to day and trade stuff while I do the custom work but even that is hard !!! just need someone that can be a problem solver as that seems to be where they all fail .
it will be a dyeing trade in the uk as my lad has just left school so that should be perfect for me ………………. but no !!!!!!!!!! I haven't the time to teach him and there are no courses that cover what we do ……………………. just cant win

I think the most diffucult thing abt hiring people is their attitude. Just guess how many things should be combined in a person u r hiring. Common sense, manners, work ethics, education, and talent, Now add to all that the fact that majority of youth doesnt wanna work with their hands and u get the real pain of finding the right employee when u r in a dieing skilled trade lol.