Self - Employment Options

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) offers its clients several options for self-employment, while still meeting the individual needs of clients and focusing on consumer choice.

IVRS has two successful business programs that provide a wide range of options for the client seeking to establish his/her own business.

The Entrepreneur with Disabilities Program is designed for the IVRS client whose goal is complete self sufficiency through the operation of a business.

IVRS provides clients:

• Feasibility studies/market research
• Technical assistance
• Business and Marketing consultants who work with the entrepreneurs
• Assistance in leveraging money to establish a business.
• Post business support and follow-up
• Purchase equipment for starting up or expanding a business

EWD businesses include:

laser cartridge recycling plant, florist, advertising speciality firm, agricultural business, printing, artist, dairy farmer and more.

The First Step Self-Employement Program is a client and IVRS counselor driven, outcome-oriented process. The First Step Program assumes that the client needs are less complex, less costly, and require less development than typically expected in the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. The First Step program allows IVRS counselors and clients flexibility in selecting only those services actually necessary to become self-employed.

First Step Self-Employment Consultation Services:

After the client has been referred and accepted into the First Step Self-Employment Program the counselor and client can select from the services listed that which they have determined to be essential for successful business development and implementation. The counselor and client may select some or all of the services that will lead toward the goal of self-employemnt. There are four different services that could be selected at any time in this part of the process:

1. Orientation: Understanding taxes, zoning, insurance, self-employment taxes, business tax deductions, effect upon benefits, record keeping
2. Information Gathering to Start the New Business: Identify Business Needs and Costs, Identify Market Niche, Identify Target Market, Cash/Flow Analysis
3. Assistance with Writing the Business Plan
4. Financial Assistance Meeting: Discussion on amount of financial assistance needed to start the business, and how to reach sustainability
5. Financial Monitoring of the Business: Monthly analysis of cash flow and strategies to reach sustainability

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