Few ventures are as uncertain and hard to maintain as a new business. Assuming you’ve found a business opportunity that’s right for you, there’s funding to be secured and a business platform to be selected. If you’re offering a product, how will it “get to market,” how will your products be shipped? Are there special arrangements to be made to accommodate your disability? Will your children receive the care and attention they need while you’re busy working hard to make your business a success? It can feel like an overwhelming prospect when you’re just getting started. Fortunately, there are a number of productive steps you can take to help get the ball rolling.
Find funding and resources
This is the first step in the process, and it’s the most important one. Consider your business objectives. Make certain you understand exactly what is required and how much money it will take to make it happen. Do your homework. Approach it as you would any other major financial obligation, such as a home loan. You may be able to secure a small business loan on favorable terms, or receive a grant and avoid the burden of a protracted financial obligation. Remember, there’s a lot riding on how much funding you’re able to secure.
Keep in mind there are a number of reserved free government cash grants available for special interest groups, including disabled business owners. There are also numerous online resources that may prove helpful, including Grants.gov, GrantsNet and the Office of Acquisition and Grants.
Opportunities
If you are a person with a disability looking for a business opportunity, consider the possibility of starting a franchise. A franchise offers individuals with disabilities more possibilities to run their own storefront businesses or launch a home-based business. As a franchisee, you start with your marketing, branding and training needs taken care of, which is why franchises are often referred to as “turn key” businesses.
Inventory management
Proper inventory management enables you to always have in-demand products in stock. It also ensures your products are sold in time, before they’re no longer in demand or exceed their shelf life. For proper management, it’s critical to track inventory in real time, forecast and predict demand, avoid waste and excess inventory, and maintain optimal warehouse operations.
You can avoid headaches from this process by acquiring an inventory management software program, which can more easily help you keep track of your inventory.
Take care of yourself
Business owners, particularly new ones, face a lot of pressure when it comes to getting a business off the ground. It takes a lot of work and long hours to find success. Obviously, you feel responsible for the success or failure of your dream and you’re probably more than willing to make personal sacrifices. But part of being a good business owner is making sure your work doesn’t come at the expense of your health; you need to take care of yourself in order to maintain your strength and energy during the early days of a business venture.
Self-care is an excellent way to control the stress that comes with launching a new business and seeing to the needs of your family at the same time. Make time for yourself every day and be sure to get the rest you need.
In many ways, starting a business is an optimal situation for people with disabilities. Even though it requires a lot of time and energy, the possibilities for schedule flexibility and working from home are invaluable for a busy parent. Meet the challenges that come with starting your own business head-on and you’ll set yourself up with a solid foundation that makes it easier to deal with the highs and lows that inevitably come with owning your own business.