
Free Info for Parents with Disabilities: Share Your Talents Through Entrepreneurship
Parents With Disabilities
Whether you are interested in running a full-time or a part-time business, operating an enterprise from home gives parents with disabilities an opportunity to share their talent, create income for the family and show their children how to be entrepreneurs. As a parent, the flexibility of working from home can be key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and creating a home business has the benefit of a low-risk initial financial investment. Take your passion and put it to work with these guidelines from @BKThemes on how to get your new venture up and running.
Getting Started
You have your business idea. Next, you need to write your business plan. This doesn’t have to be a long, formal document, but you should make it detailed. This tool keeps you organized and structured in how you run your business on a daily basis, as well as guides your future plans. Research shows that having a business plan in place increases your chance of growth by 30 percent.
Grants and Funding
If you need initial funding, research grant opportunities for entrepreneurs with disabilities or parents with disabilities with the federal government and local organizations. Obtaining grant monies will keep your initial financial commitment at low risk.
Marketing
Marketing is vital to the success of your business. Making your presence known through various media outlets builds your customer base. Social media marketing is cost-effective. If you have time and are good with words, daily posting on various platforms and updating blogs on your website keep you in front of your target audience and give you a means of engagement and communication with potential customers. SEO is a must too. This technique helps increase your site visibility through organic searches, and it’s a great way to improve brand awareness and boost customer trust. If SEO isn’t your strong suit, consider working with a dedicated agency like @BKThemes.
Accounting
Accounting is another vital component to the success of your enterprise as it keeps you on top of your cash flow, safeguards your credit score, and more. Hiring an accountant in your planning stage can save a great deal of time finding the right software and setting up your system, business bank accounts, and Employer Identification Number. What is an EIN number and why do you need it? It is important to have your EIN established quickly in order for the IRS to identify your business, track payroll taxes, file federal and state taxes and enable you to purchase equipment and inventory wholesale.
Setting Up Your Office
When setting up your workspace, aim for a spot that’s bright, uncluttered and clean so you can stay focused and productive. Ideally, you want your office to be in a room or area where you can work without distractions. If space is at a premium, it will be important to set boundaries with your children so they know when to leave you alone.
Outfitting your space requires a desk, an ergonomic chair and various pieces of tech (i.e. reliable laptop, web cam, mouse, etc.). If you intend to host clients, invest in a sofa or a few comfortable chairs. If money is tight, you can repurpose old furniture for the task. Give old pieces a refresh by having them professionally cleaned. You can find a specialist who cleans furniture by using a site like Angi. Here you can read reviews to determine the best contractor for the expense.
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
As a parent, keeping a healthy balance between work and family responsibilities is important for you, your family and your new business. One way to manage all of this and remain stress-free is to set a daily schedule. Keeping a calendar of your work commitments, family obligations and time for exercise and personal enjoyment relieves stress and anxiety. It also keeps you focused on priorities and prevents wasting valuable time. Working from home can blend in with your personal life, so it is important to maintain boundaries and walk away from the workspace for mental and physical health.
Utilizing your time and talent in operating a home business not only brings in revenue for your family but can also create an opportunity for your children to play a role in your success. Having your kids pitch in by packaging products, pricing inventory or helping with dinner so you can meet a deadline gives them satisfaction in knowing they are a part of your business and teaches what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.