Success Stories
There are many successful entrepreneurs who have utilized the services of the Abilities Fund. This page features some of their stories.
Betsy Wagner~
Monarch Massage
As a passenger in a car accident in 1988 (my junior year in HS), I sustained a TBI and as my healing progressed, I dealt with many painful headaches. I did, however, manage to graduate with my class and go on to college with a major in Art and concentrations in Psychology and English (a similar pre-injury goal).
After college I spent time in a variety of jobs trying to figure out who this new me was and how I could best use my degree. All the while, I endured painful, repeating headaches. I worked in a rehabilitation hospital, at a radio station, on a golf course, at a television station, and at a department store. I was a receptionist, a para-educator and a nature guide too--but nothing seemed to fit.
I repeatedly found myself drawn to the healing that massage was all about. Massaging my own head was always a comfort and I figured that maybe I could help others feel good with the touch that had always helped me. After a grueling year of massage school in 2005 and then passing the boards at the end of 2006 I decided to go into business for myself.
NVR helped me with the organization of some of my thoughts about my own business and guided me in the right direction as to the requirements needed for it. They helped me with purchasing the right equipment to best use my abilities and encouraged me with constant ideas on how to grow my pool of clientele.
Massage helped me throughout the healing and rehabilitative process. NVR helped me turn that into a profession that I could thrive in and help others as well. A disability lead me to Massage Therapy as a profession. A disability forced me to find my abilities. Being self employed has allowed me to better address the different struggles I face in the workplace. I still have difficulties, but I am the CEO of making things the best they can be for me in my own business and profession. I also know I can contact NVR and The Abilities Fund NSES for help when needed.
And I'd like you to know that YOU can contact Monarch Massage for help when needed. I'm just beginning the 3rd year of this endeavor and am a growing business so if you think you might just want a relaxing massage after reading my story, please give me a call and we'll set up an appointment and you can get BACK to feeling good!
Contact Betsy at:
Monarch Massage
2144 Harrison Avenue
Lincoln, NE 68502
402.477.6499 or 402.525.9321
or email: monarchmassages@yahoo.com
Open Doors Computer Services, LLC
"I started my business knowing I wanted to be self employed to have a happy career. I had also noticed in my spare time that I enjoyed everything about computers and slowly became overwhelmed with neighbors and friends asking me questions about how to fix their computer. I then had to ask myself why not make a living off this and enjoy helping others too?
My advice to anyone interested in starting a business is to get yourself two good people, an attorney and a CPA! Voc Rehab has also been a huge asset for me and my business. My plan was to use VR dollars towards advertising. I figured by now my business was able to sustain my regular bills with its current income. So I divided the VR dollars three ways radio, paper, and promotional items. I overlapped radio and newspaper for three months. Then I purchased about a year's worth of mouse pads to hand out to customers and to entice new customers. Being able to amp up my advertising with VR dollars gave me a huge push in the start to a successful, profitable business.
I have been lucky enough that my prosthetic leg has not caused me much trouble in my business. But I do make a strong recommendation to others with disabilities to take a moment to look around. For as you plan to launch a business you need to assess if there are changes that need to be made in order to assure accessibility. I like to use an example of your home being accessible. Make sure that you are able to get in and out easily with no obstructions. Then once in the business, make sure you can get around comfortably without troubles. Remember to consider any extra supplies or assistive technology equipment you might need or proper access to restrooms.
There are many nights I worry if this big venture will pay off, but by the next morning all worries have been wiped away with the excitement of a new day in business."
Contact Robert at:
Open Doors Computer Services--ODCS
2711 "O" Street, Suite 2
Lincoln, NE 68510
402.217.3995
email: rdanner@odcs.biz
website: www.odcs.biz
