Entrepreneurship: More about We than Me.

by Picasso Einstein, LLC

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard; “My son/daughter can’t run a business on his/her own.” This is often the response when a parent is first approached with the idea of Entrepreneurship, or self-employment. Here is another thing I hear a lot, “Entrepreneurship is over his/her head.”

Why is that sort of thinking so common, even among parents? Firstly, because most think entrepreneurship is about a solitary, singular venture. Honestly, how can I blame them for thinking that? Most entrepreneurs we hail and celebrate often relate the all too familiar story of being locked up in a garage or hotel room for months on end, with only pizza and water as their main source of sustenance, oh yeah, and rock music. But is that the WHOLE story to their successes? Hardly!

Our society has celebrated heroism and genius in singular terms for decades. Yet how often we hear the stories long after they are gone, that a multitude of relationships, conversations, collaborations and interactions played an equal part in their success, and ultimately their ‘brilliant idea.’

Entrepreneurship for persons with disabilities is that very same experience. We focus on the notion that ideation (development of ideas) is a conglomerate experience. We believe that ideas are fused together and refined as a result of conversations, group activities, relationships and lots of making mistakes.

Entrepreneurship is about WE! Just because someone is interested in starting a business does not mean that they are seeking a life of solitude. Nor does it mean that a person with a disability, interested in entrepreneurship, must do it all alone. No, on the contrary. Time and again, it has been proven that true sustainable success and happiness requires a team effort and team support. Whether you the parent, start the business, or the person with a disability, it is not the beginning nor end of relationships, it is the potential for a new one altogether.

This is how we turn the thought of ME, to WE.
· Parents, caregivers, are you struggling, trying to identify sustainable and long-term employment for your son or daughter with disabilities? Why not entertain a small, family-run business, started by YOU, the parent, but including clear and precise ways to provide meaningful employment to your son/daughter by way of that business?

· Young men and women with disabilities: Are you struggling with your current employment? Do you not like what you do? Is your intelligence above and beyond the tasks and duties you are currently asked to do at work? Firstly, examine what you like. What you are good at? Gather a “Development Team” of friends, family members, professionals and community mentors, to talk about your desire to be self-employed. Get the conversation going. Have honest conversation. Then start working on a plan to get your small business going with the help and support of this development team.

Being an entrepreneur does NOT mean, you are in this alone. Remember, that being self-employed is more about the venture WE are exploring, and less about ME.