Have you thought about launching your own ecommerce businesses? If you’re looking for ways to bring in some extra income while still being around to care for your kids, becoming an entrepreneur might be the perfect path for you! Parents with disabilities can thrive in entrepreneurial roles that offer freedom and flexibility unmatched by traditional employment. Of course, starting a business is always easier said than done. Check out the following tips from SPORK! to help you get started!
Consider Low-Risk Business Models
If, like many parents, you’re already trying to get by on a limited budget, look for business ideas that don’t require a hefty upfront investment. Low-risk ecommerce business models don’t require the purchase of inventory. For example, dropshipping removes many risks and costs associated with starting an ecommerce business by allowing business owners to purchase products from third-party sellers who then ship directly to the customer.
Print-on-demand is another low-risk business model. Instead of holding inventory, you create designs to print onto white-label products on an order by order basis. Like dropshipping, you don’t pay anything until a customer places an order on your website. At this point, the print-on-demand company that you work with will handle everything else.
Marketing Your Business
Paid advertising is often one of the largest expenses facing ecommerce businesses. Low-cost marketing such as social media and content marketing can be a terrific way to get your products in front of potential customers. If you want to share a report or infographic on Facebook, you can now upload PDFs to your business’s Facebook page. Do you think creating an infographic is too complicated? Check this out! There are free online tools that allow you to choose from hundreds of templates, and customize them to meet your needs. Then you have great, informative visual content for your digital marketing campaigns.
In-person marketing is another low-cost solution. Attend networking events in your community, attend meetup groups, and print business cards that you can hand out to members of your target audience. Running promotions is a great way to capture people’s attention in your offline campaigns. Learn how to run great promotions by planning out events well in advance and building excitement with engaging advertising.
Take Advantage of Funding Opportunities
Even if you do everything in your power to keep your startup costs under control, you might still need access to some funding to get your business off the ground. Thankfully, SwoopFunding explains that the government offers grants for entrepreneurs with disabilities, and many nonprofits further offer grants and loans for people with disabilities who want to start a business. Do some research to learn more about your funding options!
Get People to Help
Being a business owner and a parent at the same time is no easy job. Don’t hesitate to ask people for help! Outsource work to freelancers, hire employees, or get your family to lend a hand. If your disability makes certain business tasks more challenging, there’s nothing wrong with delegating these tasks to someone else. You do not need to work yourself into the ground to be a successful entrepreneur. In fact, the best entrepreneurs know their limits, focus on their strengths, and outsource everything else!
Make Your Office a Screen-Free Environment for Your Kids
Do you want to get your kids involved with your business but want them to avoid screens? There are plenty of other ways they can contribute. Perhaps they could offer their ideas on how to improve the business or help with marketing and customer service. If you have young children, you could even encourage them to start their own businesses. This would teach them the importance of hard work and responsibility, while also giving them a chance to be creative and entrepreneurial. Most importantly, it would give you the opportunity to bond with your child and help them develop into a successful adult.
Why should you limit your children’s screen time? Harvard Medical School reports that studies have shown that too much screen time can damage a child's developing brain, leading to problems with attention and self-control. Furthermore, children who spend too much time on screens are at risk of becoming overweight or obese, as they are more likely to be sedentary and snack more often. In addition, screens can negatively impact a child's social and emotional development, as they are less likely to interact with others and more likely to engage in aggressive behavior. Therefore, it is essential that parents limit their children's screen time and make sure that their office is a screen-free zone.
It's also important to be mindful of the way you use screens around your children. If you are holding your baby while you're looking at a screen, make sure that the screen is turned away so that your child isn't exposed to the bright light or any harmful content. It's also important to avoid using screens yourself when you're supposed to be spending time with your child. This can send the message that screens are more important than the people in your life. Instead, try to put away your devices and focus on interacting with your child directly.
Pursue Your Entrepreneurial Dream
Running your own business is a long-held dream of many. You just can’t beat the flexibility that comes with entrepreneurship, especially if you’re a parent with a disability. If you want to become an entrepreneur, don’t put it off another second. Choose a business model, market through social media, find funding, hire qualified freelancers, and start working towards your dream business today!
Are you looking for a community of creative, powerful, and forward-thinking people with disabilities? Check out SPORK! Our goal is to connect and give an authentic voice to people with cognitive, physical, and non-apparent disabilities.
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As a former librarian, Diane noticed that a lot of people would come in looking for more info on various health and medical conditions whether it was for their own personal research or after the diagnosis of a family member or friend.
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