Tips for Starting a Business While Living With a Disability

Starting a business is no easy feat for anyone, and is all the more rewarding if you're living with a disability. Achieving your dreams despite the odds seemingly being stacked against you is, indeed, something you can be proud of.

However, it may be that you're just starting off in the business sector, and you're looking for tips on how to get your business off the ground and running. If so, you've come to the right place. 

The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce has some tips to help you get started off on the right footing. 

Consider a work-from-home business

Suppose you are weighing up the options between renting out a space and starting a business from the comfort of your own home. In this case, a home-based business is ideal. Not only will you have the ability to work from a comfortable, familiar area, you’ll also be able to set up your office exactly the way you want. This could include something as simple as putting a new coat of paint on the walls to completely renovate a spare room in your home to accommodate your new venture. What’s more, certain upgrades can actually improve your home’s appraisal value, making them an excellent investment in more ways than one!

Start off with a business plan

Business plans are an essential component of any business startup as it provides an outline of where your business is at present, where you're headed, and what needs to be done to achieve your goals ultimately. A thorough business plan will help you to keep your eye on the prize by focusing on your strengths while not losing sight of the weaker areas of your business so that you can achieve the success you envisioned. In summary, a comprehensive business plan should cover four key areas: information regarding your management team, your marketing strategy, pertinent financial information such as financial projections and forecasts. It should also identify your unique USPs (or unique selling points). 

As you can probably tell, business plans require a lot of work and specialized planning in advance and are sometimes better left to professionals such as financial advisors, for instance, that are highly trained in the relevant business acumen to ensure that all the bases are covered, freeing up your valuable time to focus on the core of your business. 

However, if you choose to go the external consultant route, be sure to do your homework beforehand to ensure you select the most suitable person for the job. While online platforms can assist you with finding qualified candidates, it may be a good idea to do additional research to confirm their credibility. This can include perusing through online reviews and comparing consultant costs before deciding on one specific candidate. 

Access the funding you need

Obtaining the necessary funding, you will need to launch your business into full swing, is often considered the most challenging part of setting up your business. However, for business owners with disabilities, this process can seem all the more overwhelming if you don't know where to look, and you aren't aware of the various organizations that can help you in your quest to obtain the requisite funding.

Hire the right team

For entrepreneurs, hiring the right team to support you throughout your business venture is essential. As much as you may want to handle all the tasks of running a business alone, it just isn't possible. A loyal team that you can depend on to execute the functions you aren't able to can ultimately determine whether your business will succeed or not, so best to choose wisely.

In conclusion, if you're living with a disability and have dreams of starting and building a business empire, just know that it is possible even though you may feel that things are not always in your favor. In fact, if you look closely enough, you may be surprised to see the many things that are actually for you that can help pave the way to your business’s success.

When you’re ready to dive in, contact Zenbusiness for help in forming an LLC in Alaska and other essential tips for growing your business. Be sure to follow up with The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce for more information and networking opportunities to ensure your new business is a raging success.