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Guest article written by Anya Willis
Start a Business as a Disabled Individual With These Key Strategies
Starting a business as a disabled individual can lead to all sorts of benefits. From boosting your confidence to allowing you to find a career that works for your needs. If you’ve been thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, you’ll need to consider the details from the beginning in order to make the process as smooth as possible.
What type of business would suit you best? How will you find funding and helpful advice? While the process of starting a business is not much different for a disabled individual than it is for anyone else. There may be certain resources available to you that will prove invaluable, so it’s important to know where to look. You might start with some inspiration from God’s Love, My Life. Here are a few tips on how to set some goals and find success:
Find a business idea that suits you
If you’re unsure of what type of business is right for you, think about your needs. A home-based business can be extremely beneficial for disabled individuals, since it allows for flexibility and comfort. If you’re creative, you might become a freelance writer, graphic designer, photographer, or illustrator.
Do you have experience with a skill such as playing an instrument? Consider offering lessons, either in your home or via online tutorials. If you love pets, you might start a business as a pet-sitter or carer. Have a great idea for a company that’s based on a hobby, such as catering? Do some research on startup costs and find out who your local competition is, then start looking for grants that apply to you.
Take care of the legal details
No matter what kind of business you want to start, you’ll need a great business plan that offers a blueprint for operations. This plan should include how much you’ll need for funding. What type of products or services you’ll sell, and how you’ll obtain or manufacture them. And how many employees you’ll have, if any.
This information will help you when it’s time to find a lender or investor. So it’s important to take care of the legal details first. Register your business name. Apply for a business license. And consider forming an LLC in order to protect your assets and lend some credibility to your plan. Every state has its own rules about creating a limited liability company. So check the steps in your area before getting started. If you’re on a budget, use a formation service to file rather than an attorney.
Find your customer base
Once you have the legalities and funding taken care of, it’s time to start thinking about how to find your customer base. Market research will tell you a lot about your desired audience, where to find them, and your competition, so it’s important to be thorough. It’s also crucial to take all differently-abled customers into consideration when planning your marketing strategy, including making sure your website is entirely accessible and that your ads and other marketing tools show your audience what you’re all about.
Boost your confidence
Have a great business idea but aren’t feeling confident about becoming an entrepreneur just yet? Consider going back to school. There are several programs available online these days for a bachelor’s, master’s, or even a doctorate degree, so you can learn about your chosen field while still working at your current job. Search for an accredited institution that offers competitive tuition rates so you’ll have peace of mind that you’re getting what you need.
Starting a business of your own can be daunting, but with a few helpful resources, you can tackle a new career and turn it into a successful venture. Look for ways to network with other differently-abled entrepreneurs so you can make valuable connections and find support.
Want to get in touch with Marsha? Contact her today, God’s Love, My Life
Anya Willis is a mother of three and has been a yoga instructor for the past 12 years. She created Fit Kids to help parents find fitness alternatives to keep their kiddos moving.
This is great info!! What a great resource!