Is Self-Employment Right for You?

Ever thought about starting your own business?  I suspect most of us have at least toyed with the idea at one time or another.  Self-employment can sometimes be a particularly good option for people with disabilities because it allows more flexibility in setting your own working conditions (like hours and pace) and reduces transportation needs.  But there’s a lot to consider before taking the leap.

Disability.gov was recently updated with several new resources, including tips and tools for people interested in becoming self-employed.  It includes topics such as:

• Are You Ready to Start a Business? Use this self-assessment tool to find out how ready you are to start your own small business. After answering questions, it will give you a summary of your skills, characteristics and experience and guide you to what your next steps should be based on your answers.
• Business.gov – Online Community for Small Business.  Discuss, share and learn from fellow business owners, as well as industry and government experts. Find the information you need to start, grow and run your business.
• SBA Delivering Success: Top 10 Business Tips.  The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) video interviews with successful entrepreneurs who share the lessons they’ve learned about owning a small business. Learn 10 top quick tips to business success.
• Small Business Expenses & Tax Deductions.  This article from the U.S. Small Business Administration provides guidance for the self-employed and sole proprietors on what’s considered a small business expense and what makes a business expense tax deductible.

Disability.gov also has a new section on starting a home-based business that includes topics such as

• Create A Professional Image.  Ten tips from the Abilites Fund to help you create a reliable, professional image for your home-based business.
• Home-Based Business Fact Sheet.  Fact sheet from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for people starting or thinking about starting their own business.  Includes things to consider before you decide to start a business in your home and a list of questions to prepare you to get started once you have made your decision.
• Home Based, Not Home Bound.  Many people with home-based businesses can feel isolated. This resource from the Abilities Fund provides suggestions for networking and getting support from others  for home-based business owners to avoid feeling isolated working at home

And there’s more to help you with your consideration–everything from writing a business plan and obtaining financing to getting a small business off the ground.  See what else they have for you at disability.gov.