[nabs-l] Stop Blaming the Economy

Fri Nov 15 17:13:15 UTC 2013

Tell me about other income opportunities. I'm curious.

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2013 12:06 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Stop Blaming the Economy

Hi Andrew,

Pete Donahue is an example of someone who has done well for himself as an entrepreneur. He taught himself how to develop websites and does a really great job of recording events.

Mike Calvo is someone who knew he wanted to develop an affordable screen reader and rounded up the people who would be responsible for the creation of what would become System Access. Serotek is doing well for itself, and he's now moved on to doing work on an international level.

My story is not as exciting. I simply enjoy writing. I started off doing grant writing for nonprofits and slowly branched out. Now I do copywriting for a mix of tech startups and larger companies. It's my side venture, because I'm not quite ready to take a gamble on fluctuating income. And, I really enjoy it. My fear is that it may not be as fun for me if I made it a full-time job.

My point here is that you don't necessarily have to buy into one of those commission structures. If you have a talent, you could be marketing yourself independently. Perhaps you've thought of doing massage therapy, computer repairs, piano tuning, Braille transcription, audio editing, or any number of viable business ventures. I've read a bunch of books on the subject for when I decide to take the plunge full-time. Then it's a matter of connecting with the right people to do those things you know you're not good at. I, for example, plan to start using an accountant because I am not good at keeping books. In the future I may launch a website specifically to help people launch an online business. Until then, if you're interested, get in touch off list. I'd love to do what I can to help people be a little more financially independent.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Andrew
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2013 10:36 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Stop Blaming the Economy

there is always  the option of doing a job from home or doing online jobs.
although nobody seems to know anything about that in my area.
and how do you know what ones are scams because there is so many online scams these days and what  online jobs are ligit.

On 11/15/13, Peter Donahue <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com> wrote:
> Hello Joe and everyone,
>
>     Totally agreed! You also need to be open-minded to exploring and 
> trying
>
> other income-producing vehicles besides a traditional job. We've seen 
> many blind individuals being presented with such options and they 
> refuse to have
>
> any part of them. Then they wonder why they don't have opportunity. 
> Society
>
> didn't tell them to reject such income-producing opportunity. The 
> economy didn't tell them to say "No" to such opportunities when they 
> were presented
>
> to them by caring friends and potential mentors. Mary and I have seen 
> this happen for many years and the blind individuals that were 
> presented with such alternatives are no better off than they were when
seeking that job.
>
>     Folks a traditional job isn't the only way to make a living. The 
> next time someone wishes to share an income-producing opportunity to 
> you and the
>
> association and parent company are reputable give it a go and reach 
> for the
>
> stars.
>
> Peter Donahue who looks forward to owning his own plane so he and wife 
> Mary
>
> will no longer have to put up with the behavior of U.S. Air and other 
> airlines concerning their treatment of the blind.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joe" <jsoro620 at gmail.com>
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 6:40 PM
> Subject: [nabs-l] Stop Blaming the Economy
>
>
> Yes, the economy could be better, but I have to say it irritates me to 
> hear people blame the economy for being unemployed. There are lots of 
> jobs out there. The shortage has more to do with unqualified 
> applicants. Brush up your skills. Don't be picky about the job you can 
> grab. Prepare a compelling resume. Be honest at the interview about 
> what you can and cannot do. Think outside the box, because if the 
> training centers are as phenomenal as people say, we ought to see more 
> blind people working the fast food circuit. I'm not saying you should 
> settle for minimum wage for the rest of your life.
> I'm
> not saying you're going to get hired tomorrow if you pound the 
> pavement according to the suggestions above. I'm not even saying that 
> everything you find will be easily accessible, but I am saying you 
> need to stop blaming life for not getting a fair shake in the job 
> market. I met a guy once who was really ashamed to admit he was 
> working at a Lighthouse, and it pissed me off to no end because to me 
> what mattered is that he had a job. Eventually you work your way to 
> the job you really want, work up the corporate ladder, and you know, 
> you work your ass off to get there just like everyone else, blind or 
> sighted. Figure out your weaknesses and make it your full-time job to 
> strengthen them, whether it's screen reader proficiency, Excel, Word, 
> whatever. But, for crying out loud, stop blaming the damn economy, 
> because if you wait for a perfect economic state, you'll still be 
> looking for a job when you kick the bucket.
>
> Joe
>
>
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