Entrepreneurship, it is one word that comes with a broad array of possibilities and challenges. This statement is particularly true when an entrepreneur lives with one or more disabilities. This blog segment will explore some of the most common benefits and challenges entrepreneurship presents to people with disabilities. That said, before we discuss these factors, we must first discuss why people with disabilities choose to pursue entrepreneurship.
Even though people with disabilities are involved in every industry and contribute billions to the economy on an annual basis, it can be extremely difficult for them to find employment. In fact, the disability community is the most underemployed group in the United States. In my case, I was on the job hunt for two years with the help of my local Goodwill Easterseals, and I was never once contacted for even an initial interview. Due to this, my counselors suggested entrepreneurship, and I jumped at the chance. In addition to the opportunity to put my skills to use after years of constant rejection, going into entrepreneurship offered me something else that is often a must for people with disabilities, schedule flexibility. It can often be next to impossible for a person with a disability to maintain a 9 to 5 work schedule due to having to juggle how their disability affects them, regular doctors appointments, and personal engagements, which I have come to find are vital to maintaining one’s mental health, and the demands of an employer. This issue is best explained by the “Spoon Theory”. In addition, entrepreneurship offers the opportunity for financial security in the long run, though there are several factors to be considered in that regard. See my earlier blog, “Disability and Finances”, to learn more. Still, for all of the benefits entrepreneurship offers to people with disabilities it does come with several challenges.
One of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs with disabilities is making sure that they have enough initial working capital. Due to the financial regulations that most people with disabilities live under, it is impossible for them to do what most new business owners do, take out a startup business loan. In addition, it can be difficult for them to find assistance with general startup processes, because unfortunately, there are very few startup programs for people with disabilities who are not veterans. These issues put together mean that entrepreneurs with disabilities often have to rely on the support of friends and/or family as well as each other to start and maintain their business for the first several years. Still, this does not mean that success is impossible as an entrepreneur with a disability. My next blog, “Disability and Entrepreneurial Success” will explore examples of the work of some of my fellow entrepreneurs with disabilities who are well known and respected in their fields.