Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello Fellow Entrepreneurs,

My name is Timothy Ross, I am 39 years old, and just recently was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis of my entire spine. As my doctor put it - my whole spine, right up to my skull. But instead of stopping me, it is simply adding fuel to my desire to start a business that will make and sell self-nourishing, automatic, portable gardens to make it possible for people with disadvantages to enjoy the benefits of indoor gardening. A little more research and development on the prototype, and I'll be ready to go. Are there any other disadvantaged entrepreneurs who have a business or want to start a business that provides products or services to other disadvantaged people?

P.S. I purposely call it disadvantaged rather than disabled, because all of us in this category are just as able as anyone else, we just have disadvantages to overcome.

What might be cool for you, if you can network with others of comparable situations, is to form a worker cooperative of and for the disadvantaged. It's a business format with a shared, democratic business structure where everyone brings something to the table and the company tends to focus on the quality of life of the membership. It's pretty empowering to hold ownership of your future, and you'd feel pretty good spreading that around. I'm doing such with my cafe, once I finish opening it and my two partners sign the LLC documents, they'll have equal ownership shared with me, and so will anyone who is accepted in the future. I've got access to several support groups on the subject if you're interested.

Hi Matt,

It sounds to me like you are talking about the exact form of business I would like to have. Empowering others is what I believe business should be about. After all, we are all in this world together, and rely on each other for everything, wether we know it or not. Where do I find the support groups you mentioned?

You know Tim, we're both in CT. You live no further than 20 mins from me. Want to meet sometime for a coffee and I'll just show you everything? I'm in Plainfield. You're in Colchester. I think Norwich would be a nice middle ground, if that's cool with you? Otherwise I could just message you all my links.

That sounds good, Matt. As a matter of fact, I am meeting with a potential business partner today at 3:30 at Three Rivers Community College. I know it's short notice, but if you could be there to discuss things with both of us that would be great! Otherwise, I can meet with you just about any other time, I have a pretty open schedule right now.

As I got fired last Wednesday (only one month before I was planning on trying to get fired because I want unemployment during the setup process), my days are long and free. I got to this too late, but I'm free all day for the most part. How's 3:30 tomorrow sound? Looks like there's a Starbucks right in Colchester, @ 27 Broadway Street, Colchester, CT 06415-1001. If this sounds good to you, it sounds good to me. I'd drive an hour for a good coffee.

Hi Matt,

I had a great meeting with my potential partner, and it looks like we will be moving forward very soon. So, tomorrow at 3:30 Starbucks sounds great! It also might be more efficient to communicate directly through email, you can reach me at: timothyross@thesnapgarden.com.

Did we end up at different Starbucks?