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!