IS SELF EMPLOYMENT FOR YOU?

When we first think of self-employment we tend to focus on the positives and the “glamour” side of “being the boss”. We can find ourselves driven by the excitement of our business idea, and the belief that we will have the freedom to do things how and when we want. We tend to find ourselves so confident in our idea becoming the “next big thing” that we can easily lose sight of the start up costs, legal requirements, competition in the marketplace, delivery logistics, as well as some of the ongoing tasks like bookkeeping, ordering supplies, sales and promotion, and perhaps even HR duties. The popular TV show Dragon’s Den has done a lot to expose the excitement of entrepreneurship, while also doing a far job of demonstrating the reality of long hours, complex decisions, expensive lessons and the risks that can hold an idea back from becoming a sustainable way for someone to earn a living.

There are many different “types” of entrepreneurs and being able to recognize your strengths and challenges is an important step in the road to self-employment success. Here’s a great TedTalk that explores four general types of Entrepreneurs; Builder, Opportunist, Specialist and Innovator. Although this video is from 2013, the topic is still perfectly relevant. As you watch the video, think about which category best describes you based on your interests, behaviours and motivators.

There are several resources available online that can help you navigate some of the decisions connected to self-employment. Some key ones include;  BC Small Business, Start up Canada, Community Futures, GoForth Institute , WeBC as well as WorkBC’s Self-Employment Program. Acceptance into WorkBC’s Self- Employment Program is based on several eligibility and suitability factors and does require a referral from your WorkBC employment consultant.

Every October, British Columbia recognizes Small Business Week and the successes and impact of small businesses in our communities.  According to Statistics Canada, there were over 5,300 self-employed individuals in our region in May 2021.  Every self-employed individual has had to find ways to overcome obstacles by building their knowledge, discovering what they don’t know, being strategic and most of all, by being diligent.  If you are considering self-employment, we encourage you to start to grow your knowledge and discover your suitability to being your own boss while you explore the resources that are available to support you in your venture.

 

What’s in your JAM update? New workshops; thanks to our inclusive employers during Disability Employment Month; free workshop Know Your Personality Dimensions during Active Aging Week and more! Click here for your JAM update for September 25th! 

Brain Injury Workshop in Disability Employment Month, NEW workshops, FREE training opportunities and so much more in your JAM update for September 11th. Click here!

SEPTEMBER IS DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT MONTH IN BRITISH COLUMBIA!

September is Disability Employment month in British Columbia and the Career Centre is celebrating the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce, as well as the employers and communities that support their success.

Please join us on Wednesday September 20^th from 4-5 pm when staff from the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society will be coming to Parksville with their workshop ‘Understanding Brain Injury’. This free workshop is designed for people living with brain injury, their family and friends, as well as service providers to have a better understanding of the complex issues and consequences of acquired brain injury. Call 250.248.3205 for more information or to reserve your spot.

More than a half million British Columbians live with some form of disability including physical, mental and emotional. Some barriers people with disabilities may face in the workplace include discrimination during the recruitment process, lack of disability awareness on the part of the employer, and an unwillingness to provide reasonable accommodations.  Employers could hold false beliefs that employees with disabilities are less productive with lower capacity, costly, and harder to dismiss for underperformance. The fact is, people with disabilities represent a highly-skilled yet under-utilized pool of individuals that could supply the workforce demand that exists today. According to the Job Accommodation Network, 57% of employees with disabilities cost their organizations nothing to accommodate, with the majority of requests being for flexible work hours, requests for job redesign and requests for additional training. According to Statistics Canada, the most frequently required workplace accommodation was flexible work schedules in the form of modified hours or days, or reduced work hours.

If you have a disability and are seeking employment, you may be torn on whether to disclose your disability to the prospective employer. You are not legally required to disclose your disability if you do not need accommodations, but consider your strengths and barriers and apply for a position in which you will be successful. The publication, Disclosing Your Disability – A Legal Guide for People with Disabilities in BC  produced by the Disability Alliance of BC, has great information on disclosing your disability and accommodations, including a table on the advantages and disadvantages of disclosure at various stages of your job search. Remember, employers may ask if you are able to meet the requirements of the job, although they legally cannot ask if you have a disability in an interview.

It requires resilience and courage to apply for and sustain employment, as well as fully participate in one’s community when faced with a life-changing disability. By focusing on what you have to offer because of the barriers you overcome, paired with the compassion, understanding and accommodation of employers, we can work together to have an inclusive community.

• Check out our workshops at the Career Centre such as “Branding You”
• Want to develop your personal resilience? Check out these helpful resources
• Other helpful resources to help you succeed

Join us as we celebrate Disability Employment Month!