Often, people with disabilities feel as though employers don’t take full advantage of their skill sets, and they become frustrated because they know they could be much more valuable to their workplace. When you take the plunge into business ownership, you can make money for yourself without being held back by anyone. There are several choices for business ownership and several tools and funding options to get you there, so make this the year that you become your own boss. Now, let’s learn more about how to start a business if you have a disability.
1. Start a Home-Based Business
For those new to business ownership, a home-based business is an ideal option. Not only do you save on overhead costs, but you also get to work in a location that is accessible and accommodates your needs. To start a home-based business, consider your hobbies, talents, and skills. If you love to bake, start a home bakery. If cooking is more your thing, start a catering business using your home kitchen. Similarly, artistic people make a living selling their creations online via Etsy, Amazon, or their own business websites.
On the other hand, if you want to become a disabled entrepreneur and you have a degree, then you could put your degree to work for your home-based business. People with teaching degrees offer tutoring out of their homes, tutor students online, or teach English as a second language to international students. If you have an accounting degree, you can work as a CPA out of your home.
You also could become a freelance accountant and offer your services to companies as an independent contractor. Similarly, people with communications, journalism, and English degrees become freelance writers. Check out Wealth Pilgrim’s tips for becoming an independent contractor to learn more.
Many aspiring disabled entrepreneurs have also found success these days by starting an ecommerce business that utilizes the dropshipping model. Of course, it takes more than simply signing for a dropshipping service and waiting for the money to roll in to succeed. In addition to a desirable in-demand product, you’ll also need a great website that’s consumer-friendly and easy for people to use on smartphones and tablets. Oberlo has a great guide with tips to help you get started.
2. Consider All Funding Options
If you aspire to be a disabled entrepreneur and want to start a more traditional business, you likely will need a loan or grant to get started. Fortunately, people with disabilities often qualify for loans and grants designed especially for business owners with disabilities. A good place to start looking into your funding options is the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA partners with lenders to provide loans to small businesses following specific guidelines. They often offer competitive terms in addition to counseling, education, and unique benefits.
A resource partner of the SBA, SCORE and its volunteer expert business members can help disabled entrepreneurs via mentoring, workshops, and educational resources. Consider contacting SCORE for assistance in writing your business plan, finding funding options, and making sure you register your new business correctly.
These mentors also will help you understand how to market your new business. You should consider using social media such as Facebook and Instagram to find new customers and create a user-friendly website to tell customers more about your business and yourself.
3. Rely on a Service Dog
If you don’t already have one, you should consider getting a service dog as you begin your journey to business ownership. Not only do these dogs provide companionship, but they offer physical and emotional assistance. Your service dog can help you turn on and off lights, reach objects that fall on the floor, retrieve the mail, and more. Overall, your service dog will serve as a willing assistant in your new business venture.
Starting a new business is stressful, and your service dog will give you the mental health support you need in addition to physical assistance. Studies show that dogs give people a mental boost; in fact, simply petting a dog reduces your stress level and blood pressure. Dog owners also have a lower risk of having depression. It’s a good idea to have a service dog around when you feel the pressures of business ownership and become a little overwhelmed at first.
People with disabilities are among some of the most successful business owners today. If you are ready to take the plunge, consider starting a home-based business. You also should take advantage of special funding options and get a service dog to make business ownership a little easier.
Interested in learning more about how to start a business if you have a disability? Check out ableusa.info and learn more!
Ron Flavin
Aside from helping entities of all types to successfully acquire more than $200 million in funding and grants, Ronald Flavin has a talent for identifying potential revenue streams in any organization and implementing a plan to develop these new sources of revenue. Because he has worked in so many sectors, this depth of experience has given him the ability to precisely identify the best opportunities for growth in any organization. Ronald Flavin’s occupation as an organizational strategist encompasses his expertise in business growth, business grants, grant writing, ghost writing, product/revenue development, and also as an author, and a professional speaker. Ronald Flavin provides a valuable service that is essential to the growth of any organization.