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Self-Employment
Contents:
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Overview
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If you're a person with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and you
have what it will take to launch and operate a successful business, perhaps
self-employment is for you!
Today there's a growing demand for "free agents" --
contractors, consultants, project workers (particularly in technology fields),
service providers, and others -- as companies attempt to trim labor and benefit
costs. More and more companies are increasingly using specialists from the
"outside" for specific projects.
Or perhaps you desire to operate a home or "cottage"
business to produce something or provide a service. Self-employment
opportunities are boundless if you possess the necessary skills and abilities
(or can acquire them), are willing to work hard and take risks, and have the
time and financial resources needed.
To help determine if this route is best for you, you'll need to
do an honest self-assessment to decide what business skills you have, what
skills you need, and if you have the desire to learn what you need to
know.
Below are a few sample questions to ask yourself.
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Self-Employment Assessment
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Answer "Yes" or "No" to each of the
following questions.
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____ Do you have a skill or service that is
marketable in today's economy?
(Or can you
acquire training needed?) |
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____ Do you have potential clients or
customers? How many? |
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____ Are you able to take personal and financial
risks? |
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____ Are you a hard and diligent worker? |
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Do you have good planning and organizational skills? |
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Are you a good decision-maker? |
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____ Can you handle periods of high stress? |
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____ Are you willing to put in long hours? |
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____ Can you handle challenges and persevere during
difficult times? |
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____ Are you highly self-motivated and
self-directed? |
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____ Can you sell yourself to clients and customers? |
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____ Do you have good business communication and
marketing skills? |
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____ Do you have money to support yourself until
your business becomes
profitable? (Be aware this might take a long time, perhaps several
years). |
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____ Do you have money or resources needed to start a business? |
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____ Do you have the technical skills you need? |
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____ Do you have needed space to operate and run a
business? |
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____ Can you cover your own health coverage if
needed? (Or would you qualify
for a PASS Plan and
medical coverage under Social Security?) |
If you answered "Yes" to all of these questions, you
may be a good candidate for self-employment. Read on!
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Home-Based Businesses
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According to the research firm International Data Corporation,
home businesses in the United States are expected to top 25 million by 2003, up
from 20 million in 2001. The Internet accounts for much of the growth in
home businesses today.
The following home-based businesses are among the Top 10 for
ease of entry (start-up), low cost, future demand, and potentially high return
according to Microsoft bCentral.
The TOP 10 are:
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Internet sales and marketing.
Selling company products or your own through the Internet.
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Children's products and programs.
Toys, furniture, educational programs, after-school programs, and
daycare services.
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Information detective or researcher.
Researching government regulations, company competitors, and
other information needed by companies lacking time to research
themselves.
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Home inspector.
Trained and certified home inspectors (who are self-employed,
independent contractors) to serve real estate companies,
insurance companies, banks, and general clientele.
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Internet webmaster.
Building web sites for businesses.
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Personal assistant.
Providing assistance to busy company employees -- shopping,
running errands, and doing other tasks. This may include other
services, such as word processing, newsletter writing, web site
design, and other services needed.
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Event planner and organizer.
Organize weddings, parties, bar mitzvahs, and other events.
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Home repairs and landscaping.
Clean, paint, repair, and landscape homes. (Real estate agents
make good contacts!)
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Personal coach.
Provide objective guidance, support, and training assistance to
corporate executives, business owners, and others.
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Technical support.
Troubleshoot computer software problems for large and small
businesses, or offer training and support to small businesses,
home offices, and residential customers.
This is only a small sample of possibilities. The
following web site provides additional home business and self-employment ideas.
Home Business Ideas and
Resources
For additional ideas, check your local library or bookstore for
available books on the subject.
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Resources for Starting a Business
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Should you wish to start your own business, the following
resources offer helpful guidance and information!
The Small
Business and Self-Employment Service for People with Disabilities
This is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of
Disability and
Employment Policy. The service provides information, counseling,
and
referral services about self-employment and small business ownership
opportunities for people with disabilities.
Small
Business and Self-Employment
for People with Disabilities - U.S. Department of Labor
Book: A Business Start-Up Guide For
People with Disabilities and
Chronic Health Conditions, by RoseAnne Herzog, 1998.
Cost: $21.95, plus $3.50 shipping/handling per
book.
Order from: North Peak Publications
P.O. Box 6832
Traverse City, MI 49696-6832
Or
call: 1-800-733-9712
U.S. Small Business
Administration
Small Business Development
Centers - U.S. Small Business Administration
Self-Employment,
Home Based, and Telecommuting Opportunities - Career Resource Library
This is America's Career InfoNet web site. Great
resources!
Self-Employment
Assistance Program (Oregon Employment Department)
The Oregon Self-Employment Assistance Program helps eligible
unemployed
workers set up a business on a full-time basis and still receive full
unemployment
benefits.
Self-Employment
of the Enterprising Disadvantaged (SEED)
SEED offers business counseling and training for entrepreneurs
with
disabilities, and women, minorities, and seniors.
Starting
a Business in Washington - Department of Revenue, State of Washington
The
Handicapper Small Business Association
Provides technical assistance and support to people with
disabilities
desiring to own a business. View a list of businesses by category that
are
owned by people with disabilities around the country!
Service Corps of Retired
Executives (SCORE)
SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business
Administration.
Counselors provide guidance to aid in the formation, growth, and success
of small businesses.
Local Community Colleges:
Many community colleges offer a variety of credit and
non-credit business
development courses and workshops, many sponsored by the Small
Business Administration. In addition, Oregon community colleges offer
a Small Business Development Center.
For course schedules and program information, contact your
local community
college.
ADDITIONAL RELATED BOOKS:
Check your local public library, college library, local
bookstore, or Amazon.com for availability of books on the subject.
Following are just a few titles of the many books available.
The Everything Home-Based Business Book: Everything
You Need to Know to
Start and Run a Successful Home-Based Business, by Jack Savage,
Adams Media
Corporation, 2000.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting an Online Business,
by Frank Fiore,
Que (Alpha Books), 2000.
Home-Based Business for Dummies, by Paul and
Sarah Edwards, and Peter
Economy, IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 2000.
Be Your Own Business! The Definitive Guide to
Entrepreneurial Success,
La Verne Ludden (Contributing Editor), Park Avenue, 1998.
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Profiles Of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
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The following U.S. Department of Labor web site profiles people
with disabilities who have become successfully self-employed!
A
Blueprint for Creating and Supporting Entrepreneurial Opportunities for
Individuals with Disabilities - U.S. Department of Labor
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Current Self-Employment Opportunities!
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Braille Proofreader |
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Braille Transcriber |
Braille proofreaders and
braille transcribers are needed!
There is an opportunity to work from your home by contract
or subcontract arrangement.
The National Library Services
for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped of the Library of Congress offers a correspondence
certification training program to individuals interested in becoming
a braille proofreader or braille transcriber. Braille proofreader
training takes approximately 9-12 months, and braille transcriber
training takes approximately 12-16 months.
A high school education is
required. Persons who are most
successful at this type of work are highly detail-oriented and
possess good proofreading skills.
For training and career
information, contact the:
National
Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
at 1-800-424-8567.
For additional career and
telework or self-employment opportunity
information, contact the company Braille Plus (Located in Salem,
Oregon) at (503) 391-5335.
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