For the blind entrepreneur

Greetings!  I'm Scott Savoy, managing editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I am delighted to introduce an editorial by Donna J. Jodhan, our president and this week Donna has some interesting thoughts for the blind entrepreneur for after all, this is how she started her business. 
I wish you a great day and weekend.
 
For the blind entrepreneur
By Donna J. Jodhan
 
At the best of times, the path for any mainstream entrepreneur is extremely challenging and bumpy but for the blind entrepreneur, it could be even more so.  This does not mean that a blind person should not become an entrepreneur if this is their desire.  I started off as an entrepreneur and I am blind and after over 15 years in the field, I would like to pass on a few tips if I may.
 
First, a blind person needs to recognize that there are additional challenges to becoming an entrepreneur.
Second, they need to identify the right combination of technology and skills that they would need in order to succeed.
Third, they need to realize that they would always have to depend on some degree of sighted assistance in order to have things run smoothly.
Fourth, they should be extremely careful when choosing which associates they surround themselves with.

 

We live in a big bad world and believe it or not, there are very unsavoury persons out there who would not hesitate to take advantage of someone with a vision impairment.  Trust is extremely important when it comes to building good relationships and it does not matter whether you are a mainstream person or a person with a disability.  As a matter of fact, disabled persons are probably the most targeted victims by hackers, schemers, and cyber pirates. 

 

So, what are my words of wisdom for today?
In the case of a blind person aspiring to become an entrepreneur?
Take the extra minutes to do your research.  Listen to your intuition.  Pay attention to the cues being emitted by those around you.  Whenever you are ready to start negotiations with an unknown person, take along a pair of very trusted eyes to help you paint a more complete picture.  Never sign something without first having trusted sighted assistance look it over.  Never conduct negotiations in your home.
Never conduct financial business with someone that you are uncertain about.  Most of these tips can also be applied to the mainstream person.
 

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.
 
Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna's blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan!  Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com 
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca
a monthly editorial on business issues and concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html 
weekly editorials on accessibility issues in Canada
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php
Editorials:  An International perspective on issues of accessibility and disability
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
A general perspective on issues of access and accessibility
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7