LAS VEGAS - "Recruiting is definitely the most difficult part of the hiring process," says Mark Whalen of Las Vegas Kitchen Cabinets Company.

The seller of  RTA cabinet firm says, "To find a promising candidate with a strong work ethic is no easy task." For woodworking companies and small businesses in general, hiring could nearly double in 2015, according to a survey by Manta, an online marketing firm. Of 1,158 small businesses surveyed, 60 percent of respondents says they will make either part-time or full-time hires - up from Manta 35 percent in 2014.

Nearly 24 percent says they're hiring for expansion, while 21 percent say to grow sales or improve productivity.

With hiring comes recruiting, training and mentoring. Small business owners told the surveyors that the most difficult aspect is hiring (38 percent), followed by training (22 percent) and following  employment law (20 percent).

Also according to the survey, it's most difficult to find a strong work ethic (48 percent), followed by finding a candidate with the appropriate work experience (25 percent), loyalty (10 percent) and can-do attitude (9 percent).

"I'm at the top of the pyramid and I know each person I hire will meet my standards," says cabinet shop owner Whalen. "If my company succeeds, I know it comes from me. If it fails, I am also responsible. I'm in control of the fate of my business."