[nABEntre] New to the list and wondering if this is an official division of the Nfb

Thu Aug 6 01:09:44 UTC 2020

Hello,

Knowing what I know now, I really wish I had attended the National 
Association of Blind Merchants  meeting at the NFB convention. But like 
others, I thought National Association of Blind Merchants was only for 
vendors. We all learn.

Doug

On 2020-08-05 8:06 p.m., Lauren Merryfield via NABEntre wrote:
> Hi,
> As far as I know, there are still NFB members who are interested in an entrepreneurial-oriented NFB Division. I, for one.
> We need to locate them somehow.
>
> Zoom is free. Webinars can be free. Podcasts can be free. So there is no lack of means to communicate as a new Division as long as we knew a technical someone who could set it up..
>
> I do not currently have a work-at-home venture going, however, I am still interested, as are many others, I would think, especially now.
>   
>   I am not aware of the situations around the dispersing of the division we once had. I remember attending a meeting where quite a few people entered the meeting room. When one PURRson rather dominated the scene about a certain mlm business, some people walked out. We did not want a division for just mlm-type companies (multi-level marketing) extolled.
>
> I think it would be helpful for a new Division to have a new name that would include those offering info or options to join including work-at-home ventures, (especially now), mlm's, non-mlm's, small businesses in business for years; small businesses one could join so they wouldn't have to reinvent the business wheel, people looking for such work, or other small business options, and more!
>   
> We would need to set some kind of b boundaries, though, on what options the Division would cover and which not and why or why not.
>
> PURRhaps the Division could need another name, not including "business" or "entrepreneurial". "Many more?" "something for you," "different ways," "entrepren ...what?" "all of our biz" things unlike that, haha. Just wanted to get the idea across. (I know some did, without the examples).
>
> No long involved business training. No expensive ones to join.No options where any amount of sight was necessary (system incompatitility with screen readers; required to drive, no opportunities where we would have to file suits etc, to get them to comply; and such reinvention of the blindness whel.  Opportunities to present one's offerings during the convention itself, and separately, as I "think" we do now.
>
> I considered joining the merchants' list, however, I, like most others, thought it was just for vendors." So thanks for that info.
>
> "but wait! There's more!"
>
> Lauren Merryfield
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABEntre <nabentre-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Mary Ellen via NABEntre
> Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 1:46 PM
> To: 'NAB Entrepreneurs Mailing List' <nabentre at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Mary Ellen <gabias at telus.net>
> Subject: Re: [nABEntre] New to the list and wondering if this is an official division of the Nfb
>
> Dear Asanda,
>
> This list is for anyone wanting to discuss all things entrepreneurial.
>
> At one time the NFB had an entrepreneur division.  We quickly discovered that the variety of enterprises that interested blind people was truly expansive.  We also discovered that people intent on starting new enterprises had little excess time for the organizational work of keeping a division vibrant.  Since this list was always one of the most popular projects of the division, it remains available to people even though the division itself no longer exists.
>
> However, there is very good news.  The National Association of Blind Merchants, which used to focus entirely on venders in the Randolph-Sheppard Program has expanded its reach as many venders have expanded what they do beyond the limits of traditional vending.
>
> For example, BLAST had become a conference touching all aspects of entrepreneurism as well as self development. I say "had," because Covid-19 slammed on the brakes.  Nobody knows for certain what the next iteration of a business conference for blind people will shape up to be.  It's an exciting imaginative process, thinking creatively and optimistically.
> Optimism and creativity have always been hallmarks of blind individuals, and the way the NFB managed our virtual convention demonstrates that both traits are thriving within the Federation.  I hope that BLAST, or BLAST, The Next Generation, will be with us soon.
>
> Until then, welcome to this list.  It's fairly low traffic, but I've learned quite a bit about topics I didn't know existed, let alone interested me.  I find it a gently paradigm expanding experience.
>
> Mary Ellen
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABEntre <nabentre-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Asanda Pavlacka via NABEntre
> Sent: August 4, 2020 4:52 PM
> To: nabentre at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Asanda Pavlacka <asandapav at gmail.com>
> Subject: [nABEntre] New to the list and wondering if this is an official division of the Nfb
>
> Hi, my subject is my question. I am wondering if this is an official division of the NFB that has a board or any kind of official business or is it simply a list where entrepreneurs can ask questions or exchange ideas around being a visually impaired entrepreneur. Just trying to understand what the group is and is not here. Thanks.
> I found this list after I browsed the long list of Nfb list serves after attending the convention this year, which  I have to say was a great first experience of convention over zoom.
> thanks all,
> asanda
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-- 
Douglas Lawlor
email: douglawlor at me.com