NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Because of the gas shortage, quite a few people aren't showing up for work -- including some teachers.

Video: Gas Crisis

Businesses are losing money and being forced to get creative to keep customers served and positions staffed.

Home health care agency Right at Home said some of its staffers have had problems getting to patients because of the gas problems. Managers are now recommending that caregivers carpool if they can, until gas supplies are replenished.

If gas these days is like gold, Matthew Henley is the desperate miner hoping to strike it rich.

“Yesterday, I had to have my truck towed home,” he said, holding a gas can and riding a bike, “and I'm looking for gas now to get to work.”

Businesses all over are feeling the pinch, from places like McGavock High School that has three or four teachers absent because they couldn't find fuel, to pharmacy delivery men like Clarence Preacher -- a Nashville Pharmacy Services driver -- who depends on gas to get medicines to customers.

“I don't have the time to sit around and wait for an hour or two hours to get the gas,” he said.

Supplies are coming, according to AAA, but it could be Friday before everyone is back to normal, and that has some business owners thinking creatively to try to stay afloat.

“I haven't panicked, but it has made me a little nervous,” said Nashville Pharmacy Services owner Kevin Hartman, who is giving his drivers cash to get gas anywhere they can and trying to update routes to save.

“We are cutting down how many trips we are making to each customer if we can do that,” said Hartman.

And if you think gas station owners have it easy, think again.

“Our business is down 40 percent,” said John Kanakriah, who owns six gas stations.

He estimates that he's lost more than $10,000 so far. Every day he's in business without gas, he loses out on the inside sales that feed the bottom line.

As Kanakriah waits for a gas shipment and customers, Henley will keep peddling, hoping to stumble upon a gold mine.