Easter Seals Disability Services

Easter Seals Wisconsin Self-Employment Services
        Creating Roadmaps to Success for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

People with disabilities can find opportunity through self-employment. Easter Seals Self-Employment Services is a new program that provides training and assistance in business development and self-employment for people with disabilities who would like to create their own opportunities or expand their current ones.  Julie Jensen, Self-Employment Specialist with Easter Seals Wisconsin, can help identify realistic business opportunities, assist in business plan and financial statement development, and provide referrals to funding alternatives and other free business planning services.

Easter Seals Self-Employment Services works one-on-one with entrepreneurs to evaluate ideas from both a business standpoint and with respect to issues presented by disabilities.

Easter Seals Self-Employment Services provides:

• Assessment for self-employment of initial feasibility and key issues, including referrals to local resources
• Individualized assistance in business plan development with a guide to development and referrals to classes or other community resources
• Business plan review and assessment

Questions Easter Seals Self -Employment Services addresses:

Accommodations for Disability issues

• Can the design of the work site and equipment accommodate the disability?
• Is the business and activities required to operate this business appropriate for my disability?

Self-Employment as the best option

• Do I have or can I acquire the necessary skills and knowledge?
• Am I prepared for the challenges and time required to operate a business?
• Do I have emotional, mental, and financial support from friends and family?

A feasible business idea

• What kind of business will it be and who is the competition?
• Is there a market for the product or service and can that market be reached?
• Can my business plan be evaluated and updated?

Financing Self-Employment

• What are my personal finances and credit options in relation to funding self-employment?
• How much I have to make in order to break even and make a profit?
• Do I have sufficient funding to start a business?
• What are realistic business income goals?

Background research

• What legal issues affect my business?
• Do I have a “team” of support, with friends, family, professional groups, and mentors?
• Will my business income affect my disability income or other government supports or programs?

For more information on Easter Seals Wisconsin Self-Employment Services, contact Julie Jensen at 1-920-431-0843 or Contact Us.

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