Post on 29-Mar-2015
My journey to successful
self-employment
MY PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Self-Advocate
Independence-have lived in my own apartment since 2000
Athletics-competed in Special Olympics tennis in Ireland in2003
Public Speaking-People First representative to England and Scotland in 2005
Musician-piano and guitar
Church Ministry-lector, communion distributor, choir member
MY WORK BACKGROUND: DURING HIGH SCHOOL
Child Day Care Centers-paid and volunteer posititions
Dr. Kate’s Nursing Home-volunteered to give water to residents
Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church-volunteered as an aid in religious education classes
Benjamin’s Green House-volunteered to work with flowers
Indian Shores Campground-volunteered as a cleaning assistant
MY WORK BACKGROUND: DURING HIGH SCHOOL McDonalds-cleaning
Howard Young Health Care-cleaning, stocking, patient transport
Performance Foods-cleaning, bagging, customer service
MY WORK BACKGROUND: TRANSITION
Vocational Evaluation-sheltered workshop recommended
Supported Employment-job coaches, employer based natural supports
MY WORK BACKGROUND-AFTER HIGH SCHOOL Volunteer position at Howard Young
Health Care with the help of a friend
I advocated for myself and got a paid job in Central Stores and Medical Records
I transferred into a job doing document shredding
MY WORK BACKGROUND-AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
The hospital decided to hire an outside agency to do their shredding
Transferred from the hospital to the nursing home laundry folding residents’ clothes
MY WORK BACKGROUND-AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Hired by the Waters of Minocqua-vacuuming, dusting, putting away breakfast items, working in the wedding tent
Hired by the Town of Minocqua-cleaning, filing, shredding with job coaching and natural supports
MY WORK BACKGROUND-AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Not much work at the nursing home job
Just a few hours per week at each job
Some co-workers seemed uncomfortable working with me
SELF EMPLOYMENT AS A VIABLE OPTION There was a fire in my parents’ empty bait
shop
Bait shop was renovated to be my shredding business
Social Security back payment provided some money that I could use to start my business
Preliminary work-find out if local businesses might be willing to hire someone like me to do their shredding
SELF EMPLOYMENT-THE PLANNING PROCESS Assembled a core team
Developed a PASS plan (Plan to Achieve Self-Support) for Social Security
Created a Business Plan
Created a Marketing Plan
Purchased equipment
Undertook building improvements
Business signs
SELF EMPLOYMENT-THE PLANNING PROCESS
Created Letterhead and business cards
Developed Letter of Introduction
Developed an informational brochure
Made personal marketing visits
Mailed brochures to businesses
Got letters of recommendation
SELF EMPLOYMENT-MARKETING PLAN
Joined Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce
My business is listed on the Chamber web-site
I have an ad in my church’s weekly bulletin (readership of 1500-2000 households per week)
Business listing on the Liturgical Publications web site
SELF EMPLOYMENT-MARKETING PLAN
SELF EMPLOYMENT-TRANSPORTATION PLAN Document pick-up
Recycling drop-off
Transport to businesses requesting on-site document destruction
SELF EMPLOYMENT-JOB SPECIFICS All documents are destroyed as quickly
as possible
Some customers prefer to stay during the destruction process
Document destruction at business locations, when requested
Cost of disposal of shredded materials built into rates
Appointments for “drop-in” customers
Confirmation when job complete
End of the month billing
$10 per hour
SELF EMPLOYMENT-JOB SPECIFICS
Met with a Benefits Specialist to discuss how self-employment would affect my Social Security benefits
Continue to receive Medicaid through 1619(b)
http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/1619b.htm
SELF EMPLOYMENT-BENEFITS PLANNING
My mom taught my how to use the shredder
Mom and I attended a “person-centered integrated employment” training at Nicolet College
Mom coordinates the book-keeping and ongoing marketing
Possible future employees
SELF EMPLOYMENT-JOB SPECIFICS
Disposal of shredded materials
Liability Insurance
Utilities
Advertising
Chamber of Commerce membership
Supplies (bags, oil, pressurized air)
SELF EMPLOYMENT-EXPENSES
SELF EMPLOYMENT-LONG TERM PLANS My mom is my primary support person
at this time. Mom will retire (again) some day:
Will hire an accounting service
Setting up a long-term support team
I truly enjoy owning my own business
I set my own hours
I have met many wonderful people
SELF EMPLOYMENT-CONCLUSION
I always try to have a positive attitude
I try to follow my dreams
I like to stay busy and excited
Practice my faith by treating others fairly, being kind, honest and friendly
I view my syndrome as “ups” rather than “downs”
I stay involved and active in my community
SELF EMPLOYMENT-KEYS TO MY SUCCESS
Stay positive
Find someone to support you
SELF EMPLOYMENT-MY ADVICE TO YOU
PASS PLAN AND BUSINESS PLAN REVIEW
QUESTIONS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!