Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

About a year or so ago I became disabled.  Although I can probably get disability for life, I would like to start my own business to supplement my disability income and to, quite frankly, be productive (I`m disabled, not dead).

I am hoping the people in this forum can give me some ideas, as I`m having trouble coming up with something on my own. My goal is to eventually earn at least $500 a month.

Skills
Excellent computer skills
Own computer software (Microsoft Office, Dreamweaver, etc.)
MBA from Harvard
Spent several years in communications, public affairs before becoming disabled. Wrote speeches, planned events, did a little marketing).  My physical contracts (see below) now make this not ideal for me (although I could probably do the speech writing).

Constraints
My body can probably work only about 4-5 hours a day
The five hours it chooses is not always up to me. In other words, I can work 5 hours a day on the business, but sometimes mornings are better, sometimes evenings are better.
Looking for something that I can do from home
Have startup funds of only $500

Anyone have any suggestions? I am completely open. Thanks!

Hi there, Smile :-) Welcome to Startup Nation.

I have two thoughts on this, having been in situations that resonate. First of all, you have to start by losing the "disabled" tag. Keep it handy in order to handle all the annual forms and appointments, what with Social Security and the like, but you don`t want to think of yourself as disabled.

You`re changed, that`s true, and you don`t fit into the "norm" for what typical human bodies can or can`t do, but that`s basically just a bell curve. In other words, let`s say you can`t use your legs at all. Fine; but a whole lot of people aren`t very good with their legs anyway, while a whole lot of other people can do amazing things with their legs. You just come into one sector of the "legs" curve.

The second thing is to do exactly what you`re apparently doing right now: Think!

Well, actually....you want to *Imagine!* :-)

The key to coming up with a great business idea is to meditate on the ways people waste time, lose time, waste money, waste effort, or "put up with" less-than-ideal reality. A great idea saves people time, effort, or money; or, it makes life better and more pleasant.

You`ve just been relocated from one set of life conditions into a different set of conditions. The chances are high that you`re among many thousands of similar people. So: What would make YOUR life better or more pleasant? What would save YOU time, money, or effort?

Don`t focus too much (yet) on your skills. Instead, focus on what you like to do, or what you`ve enjoyed doing in the past that you still enjoy doing. See if there isn`t something lurking around  in those visions that might spark and flame into an idea.

One of the abiding problems of our time (in history) is an apparent inability, on the part of a lot of people, to understand "changed conditions." Too many people look at rising fuel costs and say, "Oh...pretty soon things`ll get back to normal."

No; they won`t. We`re in a new set of conditions, and prices will NEVER go back to where they used to be. So either you wait around for nothing, or you write off the past conditions and *adapt* to the new conditions. That means an entirely new strategic plan, taking into account the new fuel prices.

I`m not in any way suggesting that you "deal with it," or "move on." You`re going to have to allow time for grief, memories, and letting go of the hopes and dreams you had not so long ago. You`re going to have to allow time to *integrate* the losses and traumas you`ve faced, and come to terms with things like fairness, anger, and frustration.

But as you work through all this, try to keep an objective eye out for an idea. They`re always around, like fish lurking in the weeds. :-)

i absolutely agree with what Craig has posted for you....the `disability` is not very empowering - it is now an opportunity for you to CREATE a new path in your life...and the only person that can give you `ideas` about a business to start is you....your vision...

my suggestion, go to the life plan part of this AWESOME web site and use the template that is provided. you will then be able to understand what you really want and what you are really good at...and go from there...the opportunities are ENDLESS for you...i am excited for you, what a great opportunity for you to really find something that you are passionate about and be able to generate revenue from that!!!

 

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www.RunItByDeb.com

Hey Smile,

You`ve already getting some great advice from Craig and Deb, plus, you`re a member of SUN so there are plenty of resources available to you. I might ad the old adage; "Do what you love and the money will follow."

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Chas T.
"You can always better your best."

CT on Twitter

I considered not responding to this post, but as a person who lost my job in 2004 while struggling with rheumatoid arthritis, I know what you are going through. Downsizing your life financially is very difficult. Dealing with the depression that accompanies disability is equally challenging.

Starting a small business has helped me remain positive and to cope with the constant challenges you face. Guard your cash. Money goes so fast. You also might visit my site for a link to Entrepreneur.com and 20 part-time business ideas. www.savvymarketingsecrets.com.

Take your time and take advantage of all the free stuff. I have spent a ton of money on other people`s money making ideas. Some weren`t worth much.

On the positive side, think of the new freedom you have to finally do something you want to do, without answering to a boss. Every day is different and you really come to appreciate the little pleasures in life. God Bless You.

 

I was thinking about this, this afternooon, and the computer skills you have. Everyone and their uncle is getting into Web design, it seems, even though many people with limited work hours find it a great way to make money.

So that wouldn`t work...UNLESS you were to put a different spin on it. Consider that with all the moving into ecommerce, one sector of the population that`s being seriously left out of the mix, in many respects, are blind and deaf people. So if you wanted to get into Web design or hm....."optimization?"...you might consider specializing in this.

You would essentially take a niche market and analyze Web sites---particularly e-commerce sites---in relation to hearing and visual impairment capabilities. You`d bring a strong empathy to the business, and to my knowledge, there aren`t a lot of people (yet) getting into this. :-) It`s an idea, anyway.

Y`know, a lot of us have so completey forgotten what life is like as a child, that we`ve also completely forgotten that "playing," to a child, is hard work. That`s the time where they`re learning to control their body and muscles, work with their mind, handle perception and sensory input, and their brain has three times as many synapses as an adult`s.

The problem is that when we stop playing and start working, we`re switching over from "trial-and-error" learning, and moving into theoretical, or intellectual planning and execution.

Life is supposed to be fun, but the way we grow up, we tend to think that playing is for kids and work is for adults. If we`d play more, as adults---trial-and-error"---we`d likely find that we`re having a whole lot more fun in life. :-)

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Chas T.
"You can always better your best."

CT on Twitter