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My Costumized Business

Self-employment: I understand it, I get prepared for it!

Self-reflectiontool for your business project

For people living professional challenges because of a physical, mental or intellectual handicapping condition.

A SPHERE Initiative

What is self-employment?

It may sound obvious, but before you launch your project: Have you pictured yourself as an entrepreneur?

This document is a guide to all aspects of self-employment, preparation needed and evaluation whether the option meets your expectations.

If you need help navigating this document because of your disabling condition or if you have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Enjoy!

Table of Contents

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What is self-employment?

Table of Contents

First, what stage are you in your life?

What are your priorities?

What needs to you want to fill?

And you? What need are you motivated by?

What to expect?

Income

Support

Managing your handicapping situation

Knowledge Updates

What might be your challenges?

What will you need?

Which qualities can contribute to your success?

Conclusion

First, what stage are you in your life?[1]

Examine your situation with your priorities in mind.

  • What experience do you have related to your project? What education do you have?
  • Is your project the sum of your experiences? How do your life experiences contribute to your success?
  • What are your skills?
  • Self-employment means you might hold many positions at the same time: customer service, sales, inventory management, purchasing, training, administration, accounting, marketing, advertising... What hats would you wear/subcontract in your project?
  • What difficulties could your disabling situation cause?
  • Make sure all aspects of your self-employment project are adapted to your condition, or that they are customizable to your situation. What are the execution stages of your project and how do you ensure they won’t become a barrier because of your situation?
  • What is your family situation?
  • A weekly work schedule won’t be the same when you become your own boss. Many times you have to take jobs as they come! What's the reality in terms of energy or time if your project happens?
  • What are your hobbies?
  • Even though we are really motivated to start a business, hobbies remain important to keep a good work/play balance. You like to travel in the summer, but you want to start a canoe rental company... Is your project consistent with your hobbies?

What are your priorities?

Identify strengths and priorities that fit well with your self-employment project, but also any major concessions required. Are they reasonable?

What needs to you want to fill?[2]

In addition to practical considerations, such as customizing the job to a handicapping situation and priorities, the self-employed are motivated by a need for:

  • independance
  • autonomy
  • accomplishment
  • self-transcendence
  • ambition
  • fulfillment
  • innovation
  • involvement
  • social participation
  • recognition, etc.

And you? What need are you motivated by?

What to expect?

Here are some pointers in preparing for the challenges that make up the entrepreneurial adventure.

Income

  • What are your expectations about income? Would they match the potential income from your project?
  • Are you looking for extra income or a main income?
  • Could your income affect the benefits you receive?

Support

  • Would your project force you to work at home? Would it suit you in the long-term? It's always motivating to have a good network. Remember to develop your professional contacts!
  • Do you live in a big city? In a remote area? Check whether the services you might need, such as mentoring, discussion groups, training, transportation or others are accessible despite your handicapping situation and the backup plan, if necessary.
  • Starting a business is much easier when you have the support of family and friends -- even more so with a limitation factor. What role will they have? Are some of them entrepreneurs? Do not hesitate to seek advice and support!

Managing your handicapping situation

  • What schedule would be most appropriate?
  • How will you plan your trips?
  • Will your project lead you to meet people? Are you comfortable with it?
  • Will your handicapping situation extend the production schedule longer than your competitors? How will you handle it?

Knowledge Updates

  • Do you want to provide services? Did you realize that you would have to keep ahead of developments in your business sector? How do you stay up-to-date?
  • If you want to sell your services, you will need to advertise. Are you comfortable with technology? The Internet? Sales techniques? How will you get the information or training on how to do it?

What might be your challenges?

What will you need?

Owning a business is an exciting adventure, however, it's sometimes unpredictable! Workflow, income, competition, trends, customer, schedules... However, self-employed people have certain abilities that will help them adapt to reality and reinvent themselves, in short, they always look for solutions. The following are some examples:

  • Locating support
  • Networking
  • Using technologies to find information
  • Managing time
  • Managing stress
  • Being adaptable
  • Planning, long-term vision
  • Organizing, structuring
  • Being proactive, anticipating problems

In addition to all their qualities, self-employed people can also cope with failure, large or small. They must be able to accept failure as a possibility to bring a project to maturity and if it occurs, the awareness can help them bounce back.

Which qualities can contribute to your success?

Conclusion

SPHERE is a non-profit organization helping people who live with a disabling situation so they can access the labor market through support for, among other things, their steps to self-employment.

For more information on the support we can provide:

1 888 455-4334

For entrepreneurial testimonies, go to: mycustomizedbusiness.ca

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[1]

Inspired by the blog «Le métier d’entrepreneur de SAJE accompagnateur d’entrepreneurs» (Entrepreneur profession of SAGE coaching entrepreneurs). 2010. Online. (Why do you want to start a business?) Consulted on December 14, 2015.

[2]

Inspired by the blog «Le métier d’entrepreneur de SAJE accompagnateur d’entrepreneurs» (Entrepreneur profession of SAGE coaching entrepreneurs). 2010. Online. (Why do you want to start a business?) Consulted on December 14, 2015.