Also kalopani, a store generating $45000/month in sale as in the example of Vivant is above average store.  Not all store make that kind of sale.  Let us figure out the numbers for that store operated by husband and wife working 16 hrs/day, 7 days a week!

20% margin will give $9000 gross profit.

Expenses Rent: $3000

Utility - electricity (big freezes, coolers, 16 hr lighting, A/C or heaters): $500

Balance: $9000-$3500 = $6500

That is $3250 each for husband and wife each.

Since they work 16 hrs/day  x 7 days, it is 112 hrs/week (total 112 hrs/week x 4.25 week/month= 476 hrs/month), which is 2.8 times the normal work week. (people work 40 hrs /week in this country!)

If you consider how much they made each month working 40hrs/week, it comes out to be $3250/2.8 = $1160/month.  They made $3250/month because they worked equivalent to not just 2 shifts, but 2.8 shifts.  Running a business is hard in this country, as you can see!  Hourly wage comes out to be $3250/month / 476 hrs/month = $6.82/hrs!  So the owners are making $6.82/hr working 476hrs each month.

But wait, i have not yet deducted all the taxes they have to pay, for being a self employed individuals. -- 7.5% unemployment tax, 7.5% SS tax, not to mention state tax, federal tax.  You go figure out what is left now.  Is it $5/hr?  Where is  money left to pay their employees?

I did not even include other unexpected expenses like maintaining the store, fixing or reparing freezes, A/C unit and so on...

You stated students are in consant fear of being caught in the next 10 years, but so are those employers!