[nabentre] Division board of Entrepreneurs

Fri Nov 14 12:33:07 UTC 2014

Hello,
What is BEP?
What is the mission of the  Entrepreneur division in NFB?
Has there been any kind of effort put into bridging the gap between 
blindness related businesses and mainstream style businesses? Has there 
been any kind of think-tank or something of that nature to address the 
needs of the blindness community while also addressing the needs of the 
sighted community in a way that has massive scalable potential?
Has there been any kind of mixing through the different divisions to 
listen and learn what kind of needs are being expressed?
Has there been any kind of market analysis done where the division has 
its presents?

I went to the National Convention in 2012 and was kind of sad at the 
unfilled needs of the attendees. For example, a typical breakfast there 
cost something like $10 and you had to go to a restaurant to eat. I just 
wanted something to chow down on in the morning before heading to the 
first session. There was no oatmeal, no breakfast kits, nothing to save 
me from buying breakfast at the exorbitant hotel rates.
Also, is there an IPhone app to listen to the main session? I was in 
pain after a couple hours of sitting there in those seats, but didn't 
want to miss anything.

The national convention is a super small market, but would be a great 
exercise for the Entrepreneur division to address. It would basically be 
like a week long challenge from the apprentice.
Has anyone ever done something like this?
thanks,

Brandon Keith Biggs <http://www.brandonkeithbiggs.com/>
On 11/14/2014 12:31 PM, Terry D. Eagle via nabentre wrote:
> Mary Ellen,
>
> It is my opinion to agree with you Mary Ellen about the immense value of
> this list and the division, especially given the current status of the BEP
> in many states.
>
> Here in Michigan, for example, because of a variety of factors, including
> the state government resizing, one-third fewer BEP locations than 20 years
> ago, poor training and support of BEP licensees, unqualified and incompetent
> state program management, and most important, a lack of imagination,
> creativity, and failure to be progressive toward business trends and best
> practices, approximately 20 prtcent of state BEP locations make less than
> minimum wage, for an expected 50 plus hours per week.
>
> The decline of BEP means it is all more important to have, maintain, and
> expand entrepreneurial forums like this list and division.  If it is to be,
> it is up to we (the blind)!
>
> Terry Eagle
> Michigan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabentre [mailto:nabentre-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mary ellen
> via nabentre
> Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 6:25 PM
> To: 'NAB Entrepreneurs Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [nabentre] Division board of Entrepreneurs
>
> I believe this list has value, especially for sharing information about
> business tips and technology tools available to entrepreneurs.
>
> That value is independent of the status of the entrepreneur's division.  The
> division has been inactive for several years.
>
> This is my personal opinion only.  I believe entrepreneurs outside of BEP
> can gain a lot from participation in many of the activities of the National
> Association of Blind Merchants.  NABM is broadening its training and focus
> far beyond traditional BEP.  The NABM BLAST workshop now includes personal
> and business development training that goes far beyond operating food
> service outlets.  I would like to see entrepreneurs outside of the BEP
> program participating in NABM.  I firmly believe the NABM leadership would
> be delighted!
>
> This email list includes entrepreneurs with a wide range of interests.
> There are people in network marketing and people who despise the concept of
> network marketing.  Some people on this list operate franchises.  Some are
> sole proprietors.  Some do contract work, such as writing.  I believe we
> have a few lawyers starting their own firms.  The variety is truly
> inspiring!
>
> NABM does have training that would be of value to people in all these varied
> enterprises.  Some of the entrepreneurs here also belong to other divisions,
> such as travel and tourism, Writers,  or the National Association of Blind
> Lawyers.
>
> My personal view is that we will use our resources best if we become part of
> NABM and encourage development of generalized entrepreneurial education
> within NABM.  For example, it may be practical to come together as a large
> group for part of the activity at national convention and divide part of the
> time into two groups, one dealing with BEP related discussions and the other
> with discussions not related to BEP.
>
> I think everyone would gain from what I think of as cross pollenization.
>
> Again, these are just my personal thoughts.  I'd be very interested in
> responses from people on this list.
>
> Mary Ellen
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabentre [mailto:nabentre-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jordan
> Gallacher via nabentre
> Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 12:41 PM
> To: 'Dennis'; 'NAB Entrepreneurs Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [nabentre] Division board of Entrepreneurs
>
> Same here.
> Jordan
> Independent KilambÉ Coffee Representative KilambÉ Coffee
> Inahurrycoffee.kilambecoffee.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabentre [mailto:nabentre-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dennis via
> nabentre
> Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 12:48 PM
> To: Cheryl Echevarria; NAB Entrepreneurs Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nabentre] Division board of Entrepreneurs
>
> I would like to know as well.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cheryl Echevarria via nabentre
> Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 1:09 PM
> To: nfbentre
> Subject: [nabentre] Division board of Entrepreneurs
>
> Good afternoon all:
>
>
>
> Just wondering if there is still a division with a president and officers,
> etc.
>
>
>
> I had thought last year in Washington, DC this was going to happen.
>
>
>
> I am an entrepreneur, not a BEP vendor, it would nice to have this start up
> again.
>
>
>
> Who is the contact for the division, I knew at one point it was Jim Bonerbo,
> but he has not been at National or DC in years. So what is the story with
> this.
>
>
>
> Thank you.
>
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria, President
>
> National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
>
> A proud division of the
>
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
>
> www.nfbtravel.org
>
> 631-236-5138
>
> cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>
>
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back.
>
>
>
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria is also the owner of Echevarria Travel
> www.echevarriatravel.com; 631-456-5394 or reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> and  has partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
> braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
>
>
>
>
>
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