Multiple Paths to Entrepreneurship: Unlocking Self-Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities

1. More Than One Path to the Top of the Mountain: Self-Employment as an Individualized Process for Individuals with DisabilitiesKim Cordingly, Job Accommodation Network • Russell Sickles & Brian Connaughton, Job Squad Incorporated • Larry Batten, U.S. Small Business Administration

2. Presentation Overview • Introduction of presenters and programs • Metaphors from The Mountain State – self-employment as an individualized process • Flavors of self-employment – different paths up the mountain • Economic investment of self-employment in small communities • Benefits of self-employment to veterans with disabilities • Examples of customized self-employment • Questions and answers

3. Presenters • Kim Cordingly, JAN • Lead Consultant - Self-Employment • cordingly@jan.wvu.edu • Russell Sickles, Job Squad, Inc. • Director of Operations and Business Development • rsickles@jobsquadinc.org • Brian Connaughton, Job Squad, Inc. • Community Economic Development Manager • bconnaughton@jobsquadinc.org • Larry Batten, U.S. Small Business Administration • larry.batten@sba.gov

4. JAN Self-Employment Team • Individualized consulting and resource materials based on specific needs • Services are national in scope • Ongoing electronic and telephone access and support • JAN entrepreneurship • Website access • For-profit, non-profit, • customized employment, • home-based businesses, independent contracting

5. Job Squad Incorporated • Private nonprofit organization • Community employment (wage and/or • self-employment) • Community Economic Development • Program focused on • customized employment and economic • development approaches • Provides Social Security benefits planning & analysis • Uses discovery – an individualized and customized method for work exploration with small business ownership and/or wage job outcomes

6. U.S. Small Business Administration • “The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.”

7. Metaphors from The Mountain State • Models, strategies, processes…what does individualized – customized really mean? • Hiking tips • Person-centered/personal • geography • Why is self-employment an • important option? • It’s in the numbers… • Attuned to economic environment of local communities • Experiences from the field…

8. Flavors of Self-Employment • Defining customized employment… • Sole proprietorship • Business within a business • Partnership • Franchise • Independent contracting/freelancing • Home-based business • Cooperative • Hybrid business – for-profit/non-profit

9. Funding/Resource Ownership Traditional Funding Innovative Funding Microloans (e.g., compensating balance) Use of Social Security work incentives (e.g., PASS Plan) Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Crowdfunding Disability programs • Bank Loans • Personal savings • SBA loan guarantees (not microloan program) • Economic development funds • Venture capital • Credit unions • Credit cards

10. Funding/Resource Ownership • “Resource ownership is a mutually beneficial process of • acquiring materials, equipment, or skills that, when matched to a • job seeker’s interests and customer needs, generates profits for • the employer and wages for the employee.”

11. Economic Development Component • Benefits to Small, Rural Communities • Strong reliance of small business ownership for job growth • Small business monies tend to stay in the community • Self-employment essential to developing local economies • Provides an infrastructure for medium to larger businesses • Fosters strong relationshipsand social capital

12. Advantages for Disabled Veterans • Many rural states like W.V. have a high percentage of veterans with disabilities (both service-connected and not) – job creation • Ability to incorporate accommodations into the design of the business (e.g., PTSD and agriculture) • SBA, VA and other programs available to veterans specifically to start small businesses • Federal, state, and local contracting opportunities

13. Customized Self-Employment Profiles • Sole Proprietorship: Raymond • Veteran and beekeeper • Full-time wage employment • Hobby business • Family participation

14. Customized Self-Employment Profiles • Franchise Owner: Kathy • Veteran • Pampered Chef • Accommodation opportunities • Franchise advantages

15. Customized Self-Employment Profiles • Business Within a Business: Connie • Limited work history • Wage employment at non-employer • Social capital • Resource ownership

16. Customized Self-Employment Profiles • Business Within a Business: Eddie • No work history/labor market • PASS/Secured loan • Resource ownership

17. Ask questions!

18. Contact Us! • Contact • Job Accommodation Network (JAN) • (800)526-7234 (V) & (877)781-9403 (TTY) • AskJAN.org & jan@askjan.org Job Squad, Inc. • (304)848-0850 • http://www.jobsquadinc.org/ Small Business Administration (SBA) • SBA Answer Desk: (800)827-5722 • http://www.sba.gov/wv