QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Self Employment/Microenterprise
Tips and Resources
A “microenterprise” or “micro business” is commonly defined as a business with fewer than five employees and with capital needs of under $35,000. Most micro business owners could be more effective if they had better access to appropriate training and appropriate amounts of credit.
Many people with disabilities are interested in self employment because it allows them to do what they are passionate about and also enables them to accommodate their disability.
Self employment is not for everyone! Not only do you need to be passionate about the product or service you are providing, but you need some skills to manage the business, too!
There are financial resources, in addition to loans, that may help you with starting a business. These include the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Individual Development Accounts, and Plans to Achieve Self Support (PASS).
Most funding sources will require a written business plan. There are many sample outlines of business plans that can help. Also, the Small Business Development Centers offer free counseling that can help you in developing your business plan (call the numbers listed below for more information).
It is often recommended to start with a business feasibility study. There are steps that you can take to determine if your business idea can make money, before you put too much time into developing a business plan. This might include strategies such as test marketing to see if your products/services sell, or talking to owners of the same type of business about their experience (you may want to contact people in a geographic region that's comparable to yours but is some distance away).
There are classes you can take locally to help you get started! For example, a “Smart Start” class is taught by the Small Business Development Centers.
The Oregon Employment Department conducts the Rogue Valley Business Resource Fair each October. See www.businessresourcefair.org for more information. This is a terrific opportunity to obtain information you need to get your business started.
Self employment is a topic of the 2010 Options for Success Conference, October 19-20 at the Red Lion. Come learn more about it!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Rogue Community College, Small Business Development Center
541- 956-7494
Southern Oregon University, Small Business Development Center
541- 552-8300
THRIVE (The Rogue Initiative for a Vital Economy). 541-201-3093
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Medford: 541-776-6035, Grants Pass: 541-474-3130
Oregon Commission for the Blind, 541-776-6047
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Griffin C., & Hammis D. (2003) Making self employment work for people with disabilities. Paul Brookes Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD.
Oregon Business Guide http://www.business.gov/states/oregon/
SBDC websites www.sba.gov
SCORE www.score.org
by Lisa Christopher, EC-Road Rules
My business, EC-Road Rules, provides specialized tutoring to help adults get their driver's learner's permit. I recognize that some people have difficulty reading the driver’s manual and are unable to pass the test for a learner's permit. At the same time, some individuals are easily distracted in a classroom setting, while others find learning in a group setting intimidating. All of these people would be more successful with one-on-one tutoring. I provide tutoring to people with low or no literacy skills.
I am based in Medford, Oregon and entered self-employment after acquiring a sudden illness, named Sjogren’s syndrome, in May of 2006. Sjogren’s is an autoimmune disease, more commonly known as dry eye, dry mouth. In my case, Sjogren’s had a radical effect on my central nervous system and my mobility was impaired. I had very little control of my arms and hands and I could no longer walk. I was released from the hospital(s) three months later and began adjusting to my new life.
I decided it was time to get back to work in February 2008 and I worked with the office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) to reach my self-employment goals. OVRS helped me with the purchase of a new computer that would be compatible with a voice recognition program. As a result, I was able to develop my business plan, design my business cards and my brochure. My counselor was instrumental in offering honest feedback on the first rough draft(s) of my business plan. (Just be open when your counselor gives a big “thumbs down” to the name of your business and you have to think of a new one!) I also took advantage of the Small Business Development Center to review and approve my final draft of the business plan. They offered useful advice to improve my business plan. I would recommend to anyone to use the resources that are out there.
