Starting a Career in Business: Tips for People With Disabilities
For young adults with disabilities, finding employment opportunities can be difficult. But have you ever considered starting your career in business? It can be an empowering and rewarding experience that offers many benefits for those with disabilities. Here are some reasons why starting a career in business is a great option for young adults with disabilities, courtesy of Living with NLD.
Learn How to Start Your Business
When starting a small business, understanding the various steps involved is crucial for success. Key steps include selecting a viable business idea, planning your business strategy, and understanding the legal requirements for registration and compliance. Financial planning is equally important, as it helps in securing funding and managing ongoing expenses effectively. Additionally, creating a strong marketing plan can significantly enhance a business's visibility and growth potential.
Forging Your Own Opportunities
One of the greatest advantages of having your own business is that you get to create your own opportunities and make your own decisions. Instead of being held back by the limits of what employers offer, you can create a business based on what you’re passionate about and experiment to find out what works best for you. This freedom allows you to take control of your career, enabling you to explore different options and reach new heights.
Accessing Government Grants
There are numerous government grants available to support individuals with disabilities who want to start their businesses. These grants provide financial assistance that can be used toward creating or expanding a small business, allowing entrepreneurs with disabilities to have access to resources they may not otherwise have had. This financial support can be invaluable to achieving success as an entrepreneur.
Take Control Over Your Career
As an entrepreneur, you have complete control over your career path and decisions when it comes to running your business. You don’t need approval from anyone else which means there’s no one telling you what goals you should be aiming for or how long it should take before success arrives; it’s all up to you!
Ability to Personalize Products and Services as Needed
Being able to customize products and services as needed is another advantage of owning a business that can benefit those with disabilities. Whether it’s modifying existing products or creating new ones, entrepreneurs can personalize items according to their customers’ needs which makes them more accessible than generic offerings from larger companies. This customization allows entrepreneurs with disabilities an added level of accessibility which could give them a competitive edge over other businesses in the same field.
Leverage Content Marketing
Content marketing is a powerful tool for new businesses looking to build their brand, attract customers, and grow their online presence. Effective content marketing involves creating valuable and engaging content that is relevant to your target audience. This can include blog posts, social media content, videos, podcasts, and more. By consistently producing high-quality content, you can establish your business as an authority in your industry and build trust with potential customers.
Create Job Opportunities for Others
One of the most appealing reasons why people consider starting their businesses is because they understand how much impact this type of venture has on their local community. Small businesses are the backbone of the community and a major source of employment opportunities. They have the potential to create thousands of jobs in a diverse range of industries.
Find an Accessible House ‘As-Is’
When seeking an accessible home for a home-based business, especially for individuals with disabilities, considering "as-is" homes can be a viable option. "As-is" homes are properties sold in their current condition, with the understanding that the seller will not make any repairs or offer credits for any defects. This means that the buyer must be willing to accept the home exactly as it is, including any accessibility limitations or necessary modifications. It's crucial to conduct thorough due diligence, such as inspecting the property and consulting with professionals, to ensure that an "as-is" home can meet your specific accessibility needs and can be adapted for your home-based business without excessive additional costs.
Starting your own career in business may seem intimidating at first, but there are plenty of benefits. Not only does owning a business provide young adults with disabilities complete control over their careers, but it also gives them chances at better financial security. Make sure to follow some best practices like investing in business cards and finding grants.
Tanya Lee’s inspiration for creating AbilityVillage - an online community dedicated to making the world a more inclusive place for people with disabilities - was her brother Charlie and his unwavering strength in facing the challenges that come with cerebral palsy. When she’s not at work or updating her site, she’s almost always toiling away in her jewelry-making studio.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
