My journey to successful self-employment

1. My journey to successful self-employment

2. 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

3. 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

4. My Work Background: During High School • McDonalds-cleaning • Howard Young Health Care-cleaning, stocking, patient transport • Performance Foods-cleaning, bagging, customer service

5. My Work Background: transition • Vocational Evaluation-sheltered workshop recommended • Supported Employment-job coaches, employer based natural supports

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Self employment-the planning process • Purchased equipment • Undertook building improvements • Business signs

13. Self employment-Marketing plan • 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

14. 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

15. Self employment-transportation plan • Document pick-up • Recycling drop-off • Transport to businesses requesting on-site document destruction

16. 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

17. Self employment-job specifics • Appointments for “drop-in” customers • Confirmation when job complete • End of the month billing • $10 per hour

18. Self employment-Benefits planning • 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

19. Self employment-job specifics • 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

20. Self employment-expenses • Disposal of shredded materials • Liability Insurance • Utilities • Advertising • Chamber of Commerce membership • Supplies (bags, oil, pressurized air)

21. 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

22. Self employment-Conclusion • I truly enjoy owning my own business • I set my own hours • I have met many wonderful people

23. Self employment-keys to my success • 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

24. Self employment-my advice to you • Stay positive • Find someone to support you

26. Pass plan and business plan review

27. questions

28. Thank you for your time!