Connie’s Story Continues…..

The Looking Glass Consignment Shop had to generate additional income in order to hire Connie as their first employee.  They recently opened up the new store in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and needed additional racks, hangers, displays and software for their computer to display and tag the merchandise that was being brought in for consignment. 

Through a service known as Resource Ownership, Job Squad sponsored a grant which was given to Connie, allowing her to purchase the needed equipment for their business.  Connie owns the equipment, which generates additional revenue and, in turn, affords The Looking Glass the opportunity to offer Connie employment, working 25 hours a week to start. 

 

 

We are also negotiating with the business owners for Connie to open her own business within their business.  It will be known as “Connie’s Corner”.  We are in the process of planning for this next adventure with Connie and The Looking Glass.  Through this opportunity, Connie will be able to increase her hours of work per week at the store.

Connie totally enjoys her employment with The Looking Glass.  Not only does she see Shell and Beth Hoskinson, owners of The Looking Glass, at work, but she also sees them at church - all part of social networking. :o)

Beech's Apiaries & Honey Producers uses Compensating Balance Loan to Seed Start-Up. Next Step, Kickstarter?

Raymond Beech, owner of Beech's Apiaries & Honey Producers, meets with LaDonna Hardman, a loan officer with  CWV TEL Federal Credit Union, to wrap up loan paperwork. Raymond, in partnership with CWV TEL and Job Squad, secured a small Compensating Balance Loan to aid his start-up by making possible the purchase of an additional 10 bee hive frames and associated tools and supplies (queen bees, smokers, suits, etc.).

This is Job Squad's 3rd Compensating Balance Loan. Information about the first two loans can be found here: Loan #1 and Loan #2.

Raymond has kept bees for the last 6 years as a hobby, in addition to working full-time. He is now exploring the varying ways artisanal apiaries generate revenue, which include--in addition to honey production--the sale of pollen, wax, propolis, royal jelly, bee extraction, pollination, and services related to processing honey for others. Raymond has met with the area's Business Coach with the Small Business Development Center and is seeking support from the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation.

Raymond, a technophile, is also researching other way to share his passion and skills. He looking into securing start-up funding through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to create a web series to showing the creation of a honey bee house (check out Creativebug for inspiration). Raymond tells his own story best and, after the pictures of Raymond in gear, you can read a draft version of his Kickstarter idea.

Who am I:

Hi, my name is Raymond, father of six, veteran and beekeeper. I love keeping honey-bees and my children love to help dad with the honeybees; but my wife is furious and I’m running out of room (and time according to her.) For the past six years I have been keeping honeybees as a hobby. I really enjoy my honeybees, even when they sting me. But my wife has finally put her foot down; and I can’t say that I blame her.

What is the issue?

You see my bee gear and equipment take up lots and lots of space – a good portion of my Master Bedroom/Bathroom, a large portion of my Living room, a small portion of the kitchen, a little bit of here and there throughout the rest of the house, and of course scattered out in the yard. When I only had two or three hives it wasn’t a big deal – now that I have a quadrupled my hives – it’s definitely an issue. Eventually I would like to have a few hundred hives – but that’s another story.

What is the Project?

To create a website explaining who we are, what we do and will do, our team, and much more. Our primary goal is to create a web series that shows the planning, designing, and construction of a building or the purchasing, moving and setting up of modular or trailer – to use as a honeybee house; and of course the moving of my honeybee gear, equipment, and hives (which should be an extremely fun-filled day) into this honeybee house. 

As stated previously some of my children show a real interest in my bees and actually help me with my honeybees (imagine that – they can move away from the computers, consoles and phones for more than twenty minutes.) Unfortunately a lot of the work can’t be done on my living room floor (we’ve tried and failed miserably.) With a new building to house my gear, equipment and bees; it could also be designed to with a designated area to work in – which would offer a place where my family’s passion can grow. While working together building our bee boxes, frames, or splitting hives; all while growing a family bond.

2011 PASS Update: $180,516,000 (About $181 Million!) Still Available Yearly for WV Economic Development

In December 2010, there were 25,788 individuals in West Virginia receiving both SSI and SSDI benefits. Click here for the very similar 2010 version of this post and here for the 2009 version of this post, which briefly describes the "perfect Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) potential" of SSI/SSDI beneficiaries. The average PASS totals about $7,000/year, which means that there is potentially $180,516,000 available for these beneficiaries to use towards a work goal.

Some West Virginia PASSes:

Resource Ownership
College
Training
Self-Employment (still in negotiations with PASS Cadre)
Determining a Vocational Goal

Over the life of these PASSes (assuming the self-employment PASS will be approved), over $90,000 of additional resources will be set aside by these individuals for use towards a work goal.

In the Iowa New Entrepreneurs video, below, Nic and Lori both used PASS to help fund their business start-ups.

Center for Social Capital

Launches Compensating Balance Loan Fund:

fighting poverty through employment

Jesse just received a $5,000 Compensating Balance Loan from Calhoun Bank of Gilmer Co., West Virginia. Branch Manager Brenda Wolfe presented Jesse with the loan check he will use to purchase resources in the form of equipment, enabling him to land a job at the Self-Suds Laundromat. This is quite a feat for a 26 year old man who has never had a job, lives in a rural community with high unemployment, has no transportation or credit history, and lives below the federal poverty level.

How did he do it? By taking advantage of an innovative strategy called Customized Employment (CE) and utilizing resource ownership with a Compensating Balance Loan. Half of all working-age adults experiencing income poverty have a disability. The rates of disability among those experiencing poverty are much higher than among the overall working-age population. Just under a quarter (23 percent) of all working-age adults have a disability.

Having resources and being resourceful is the key to employment . . . and employment is the key to escaping poverty. But trying to obtain resources without money is virtually impossible for many persons the world over living in poverty. And obtaining a bank loan without credit is equally impossible.

Jessica Jackley, who co-founded Kiva in the spring of 1984, was first inspired by working in East Africa with rural entrepreneurs.

Traditional funding sources can be expensive, difficult to access . . .

Kiva.org aims to alleviate the fight against global poverty by making it easy for members to transfer money to people in third world nations who aim to start their own businesses. Capitalism is one of the best ways to fight poverty, but many people in the developing world don’t have access to the necessary funds to pursue their goals.

We want to see a world in which all people are empowered to pursue their dreams . . .

Jessica Jackley and Kiva have likewise inspired the CENTER FOR SOCIAL CAPITAL and a growing number of anonymous donors to help persons escape poverty through employment. They have created a Business Capitalization Fund for the purpose of making available compensating balance loans.

A COMPENSATING BALANCE, sometimes called an offsetting balance, is an amount of money that a bank and borrower agree to keep in the borrower's bank account as a condition for the bank giving the borrower a loan. Banks around the world have used compensating balance loans for decades. Borrowers who haven’t been able to get a loan through other methods might have better success applying for a compensating balance loan.

In Jesse’s case, his loan is fully collateralized, meaning that the compensating balance on deposit is 100% of the value of the loan. So there is zero risk to the bank and the funds are available for the bank to use in generating additional capital. This eliminates the credit history requirements that would disqualify most loan applicants living in poverty. Plus, the cost of processing such loans in house is considerably lower than for conventional loans, resulting in lower interest rates for borrowers.

It is widely known that the more resources you possess (a car, tools, special talent or skills, relationships), the better the odds are you’ll get a job. After all, that’s why many people go to college or trade schools. Obtaining a degree or professional license is quite expensive, but in the long run may pay for itself many times over in a lifetime of earnings and quality of life. Persons who live in poverty with disability face a huge disadvantage.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP): “Customized Employment is a process through which the relationship between employer and employee is negotiated and personalized in a way that meets the needs of both. The negotiation process addresses areas such as job duties, terms of employment, services and supports necessary to carry out the job duties, and expectations adapted to the needs or special circumstances of one particular job seeker.”

“With Job Squad’s help,” says Jesse, “our negotiations led to how, using my own equipment and the job skills I already possessed as resources, could make it possible for the business owner to create a job that did not previously exist. It would be customized to my unique abilities and limitations. In exchange, all my resources would ‘help them meet specific production or sales goals, increase customer satisfaction, improve operations . . . ‘ I will use my equipment to fill customer orders for bar rags, sell gourmet beverages, and keep the equipment clean for laundromat customer use.”

The best part is that everyone wins . . .

Jesse gets a job at pay above minimum wage, added job security, and starts building a credit history.

The employer gets increased revenues from the added value Jesse and his resources bring to the business.

The Bank increases its revenues due to added capital from the compensating balance on deposit, and a potential future customer with a favorable credit history and relationship with the bank.

The fund donors experience the satisfaction Jessica Jackley so eloquently expressed, by helping people escape the crushing grip of poverty.

Job Squad and Ohio's Assets and Neighbors Initiative

Job Squad is partnering with many accomplished organizations and individuals on The Ohio Assets and Neighbors Initiative. The Initiative was created by the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission as part of its effort to refocus on Ohioans with the most significant disabilities using Customized Employment and Economic Development Approaches. Self-Employment (microenterprise) is a major emphasis.

Some of the partners: Griffin-Hammis Associates, Corey Smith of Via of the Lehigh Valley, Steve Savage, Patty Cassidy, Roger Shelley, Grant Revell of VCU, Jack Peeler, Don Lavin...

Check out the Powerpoint below for an overview of the project

Assets and Neighbors Initiative

View more presentations from Russell Sickles.

Jesse's BeveragesBar Rags & Washouse

Celebrates it's first 3 months of business

.
Hard to believe, but it's already been 3 months for Jesse's business, and things are off to a pretty good start. So far, gross sales total $1,755. (Click here to see Jesse's grand opening blog post.) In June and July his Gourmet Frozen Beverage service was his sole
revenue stream. In August two more revenue streams came on
line, Jesse's Bar Rag rental and the coin operated Washouse.

Jesse's beverages bar rags and washouse1

View more presentations from bconnaughton.

Commercial quality 100% Cotton Terry Cloth Bar Towels (Rags)
are packed in a sanitized bucket for delivery. When a customer
needs more all they have to do is call Jesse and order another bucket. The dirty ones are returned in the same durable plastic bucket and are replaced with a bucket of freshly laundered bar rags.

Jesse also started up his coin operated Washouse, which is his own laundromat within a laundromat. His first macine is a commercial grade 50 lb. gas dryer. After it's first week in use Jesse emptied out all the quarters and counted $62 worth. The host business owner isn't worried about Jesse competing with his laundromat, because the xtra-large dryer adds capacity and helps draw in more customers so both business benefit.

Eventually Jesse will have a bank of washers and dryers which will significanely increase the overall capacity of the combined laundromats. It will also free up investment capital for the host business owner to explore expanding the operation into new and different services as well as the size of the business location.

Jesse and the host business owner will reap the benefits of a commercial/financial synergy between the two business. Jesse
already has four local business that are renting his bar rags, as well
as a restaurant that switched from a large commercial laundry service to have Jesse come and pick up all their kitchen laundry so they can have it done locally.

Sweet Labels 4 you- A mother & daughter business

Shirley and Jenny are a mother and daughter team who created Sweet Wrappers 4 You. Sweet Wrappers is a business making labels for various items, candy bars, gallon and quart cans, clocks, first aid kits, mint wrappers, gum wrappers, sucker wrappers, water bottle labels, play dough and bubble labels. The products are a personalized option of celebration and memory creations. The business began in June 2010 and is located in Beverly, West Virginia.

Sweet Wrappers matches their personal talents, interests, and a shared desire to operate a successful and fun business. The mission of Sweet Wrappers is to provide exceptional high-quality personalized and memorable products that are convenient, affordable and guaranteed to put a smile on each and every customers face! Job Squad assisted in their business start-up by providing funding for initial costs through a microloan. For further information about this business please visit SweetWrapper's Blog.

Jesse's First Week of Sales:
$$ Money In The Bank $$

Jesse Malley is a young man from Gilmer County West Virginia who has tried for seven years to find a job. Since finishing High School he's been unsuccessful, until now. His business just started a week ago, and the photo above shows him holding his first check for gross sales of $191. After business expenses and taxes, he made a net profit of $131. If his sales continue like this for the next three weeks he'll end up earning $563 in his first month of business and projected earnings of over half of SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity) in his first year.

How did he do this in a rural county where unemployment is over 20 percent? It is a fascinating story that we would like to tell in the weeks ahead as this blog chronicles Jesse's Beverages, Bar Rags and Washouse exciting development.

Using an employment strategy referred to by the US Department of Labor as Customized Employment, one of Job Squad's Career Counselors approached local business owners and gleaned, by means of informational interviews, some ideas for employment that Jesse was quite interested in.

After Jesse and the owner of Self Suds Laundromat met together and discussed various employment options, an idea for a business-within-a-business started taking shape. Jesse could maximize his income and build personal wealth by taking the path of self-employment, rather than being a wage earner/employee. (most wage earners in Gilmer County, WV receive minimum wage level pay).

And self-employment would provide the flexibility in Jesse's daily work schedule, as well as job security to accommodate personal health issues that have been preventing him from finding employment in the conventional job market. He would have a customized, tailor made job that would meet his specific needs.
The host business would supply the location/space (brick and mortar), mentoring and staff support, and piggy back Jesse's services onto the Self-Suds Laundromat's services and existing customer base. The synergy and mutually beneficial combination of a full service laundromat, with a bar rag rental service, a frozen beverage service (chosen by popular demand and a survey of the many college students who frequent laundromat), and added capacity of more and larger washers and dryers owned and operated by Jesse within the existing business, has given birth to this one of a kind business. (At least we think it's one of a kind at this time.)

But the big problem almost all businesses face when starting is "Where are we going to get the money?" Jesse is using a Social Security Work Incentive called a PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support) along with a $3,000 zero interest micro-loan, provided by Job Squad, Inc. His micro-loan was used to jump start his business, covering the initial purchase of equipment and supplies, while his PASS application is going through the approval process, which can take a number of months when used for starting a small business.

Who would have thought that Jesse Malley would someday be a small business owner? His mom can hardly believe it, as she examines his Business Plan and PASS application.

"As we invest in critical job training, we are giving workers the bargaining power they need to custom-design their jobs around their lives—instead of the other way around."

—Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, is committed to improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. To achieve this goal, ODEP established a Customized Employment initiative to build the capacity of workforce systems to serve all customers, including individuals with disabilities. The strategies developed through this initiative can assist all workforce customers who have complex needs and may require more individual assistance to achieve their employment goals. The Customized Employment initiative also focuses on incorporating universal strategies into all aspects of workforce services.

A World In Which People With Disabilities Have Unlimited Employment Opportunities

Congratulation's on your successful first week of business, as the proud owner of Jesse's BBR&W!

Self-Employment: Discovering What Was Always There (Part 2)

In a previous post, I discussed how we began to discover Neil's many skills, talents, and interests and also mentioned how he had been running a hobby business most of his adult life. We ended the post with the statement, "(W)hy not try to support Neil to take his hobby business and, by using existing supports and relationships, step by step, turn it into a "proper" business?"

As mentioned in the post, we started by engaging in Discovery, a structured process that seeks to answer questions such as "Who is this person?", "What are there personal geniuses?", and "What are the ideal conditions of employment." These questions cannot be answered without engaging the local community; we must explore neighborhoods, relationships, activities, interests, and skills. Questions such as "Who is this person?" may seem overly abstract and nebulous and it also may be obvious that employment and community must go together. However, job seekers are very rarely really "known" by those around them. Also, professionals providing support with employment have historically done a very poor job of integrating themselves into the "real life" of their local communities.

We learned that, although Neil had never been an employee of a business, he does provide various services to those in his community for pay, such as lawn mowing (using neighbors equipment and gas), snow shoveling, and other jobs. I spoke with those who spent the most time with Neil, his customers, and others who knew him well and, after a series of conversations, Neil decided to pursue the most obvious theme: "Lawn Care Services."

Neil arranged a series of lawns to mow (for pay), using borrowed equipment, while staff and I would observe. I was able to watch Neil mow a sizable lawn--it took him about 2 hours and took note of the quality of his work (very good) and support needed (not much).

A series of challenges were also noted:

1. Neil did not currently have any equipment and did not have the means to purchase equipment to add some flexibility and options to his self-employment explorations.

2. Neil does not have access to his own transportation. WV's topography is very difficult to hike or bike for any distance with heavy equipment in tow. Without his own transportation, Neil would need to rely on his staff to take him to and from jobs.

The next post will discuss how these challenges are being addressed.

Demand...and Personal Genius

In the March 29th issue of Time Magazine, the focus is on the current recession and how employment will rebound across the country. President Obama, in his State of the Union address called jobs his " No. 1 focus and proposed repurposing bank-bailout money to lend to small businesses, which would then, presumably, generate jobs".

Though this statement sounds really good, this strategy will not necessarily solve the unemployment problem in the U.S. in the long term. The federal government may be able to assist with creating jobs in the short-term by hiring people directly or buying goods and services. However, if we are to create more jobs in the long run, it is not this simple. To create and sustain employment, there must be a demand for services and products. We need to get back to basics, so to speak, and realize that small business and the law of supply and demand are at the heart of job creation in this country.

The issue becomes how to create demand in the current economy? The answer lies in creating products or services that are unique in the sense that they offer something better. Where are these unique services and products offered? They will be offered by individuals and small businesses across this nation and by utilizing people's "personal genius" and making connections in communities.

It stuck me that approaches such as Customized Employment just make sense, whether the state of our economy is in the black or in the red. According to this article, the projected annual growth in employment over the next four years "will rebound differently across the U.S. In West Virginia, it is projected to grow less than 1.5 percent. Additionally, West Virginia is a state with the highest rate of "disability" and one of the highest unemployment rates. This is why we really need to "think outside the box" and find solutions to our unemployment crisis.

This article gives us reason to hope-in the example of how one man created a business five years ago and now has $120 million a year in sales. HomeAway was born out of one man's solution to a dilemma. He was puzzled as to why he could not go to one website to find a comprehensive list of houses for rent, so he and a business partner set up their own site. This is the stuff of what we term "personal genius"-seeing a need and fulfilling it by using our innate talents and perservering.

When reading this, I thought of the wonderful talents the job-seekers I have worked with have and of how excited I am to be assisting them in their endeavors, whether this includes wage or self-employment, or educational attainment. Each of us has this inside of ourselves, even if we don't always see it and finding this can unlock may doors. Doors that may have been closed to many of us for any number of reasons-prejudice, misunderstanding, labels people have place on us and so on.

There is reason to be cynical right now with the sad shape the country is in economically speaking. There is also reason to be positive and to learn from the experience. Let's begin listening more and talking less. Let's embrace people's personal genius and help them to put it to good use in order that they may make better lives for themselves and for others. Let's put America to work one person, one business at a time!

Self-Employment: Discovering What Was Always There (Part 1)

Neil has run a hobby lawn care and general labor business for most of his adult life, helping neighbors by mowing their lawns, assisting with preparation for moves and garage sales, and shoveling snow (see above). Growing up on a farm prepared him well for jobs involving hard work and persistence. He also is pretty good with a table saw and sander (also above)!

By spending a bit of time with Neil and his support, Job Squad learned about Neil's work with his neighbors. One neighbor described Neil as the very first person she met upon moving to her new home. She also said that Neil shoveled her walkway during a big snowstorm this past December--he asked her if she wanted him to shovel because he "didn't have anything else to do."

Another neighbor has worked on several projects with Neil and has paid him to mow the lawns of his daughter, niece, and nephew. Additionally, one of Neil's support staff is a partner in a local lawn care business.

When first meeting job seekers, Job Squad describes possible employment outcomes: wage employment, self-employment, or both wage and self-employment. As Dave Hammis says, (paraphrasing here on what I think I've heard): "Everywhere, everyone is working and working hard...especially in rural areas. Many people have just not found a way to get paid for their work." That's the trick and the point of Job Squad's work--to assist individuals to explore and maximize their interests, skills, and talents for use in income producing activity, resulting in paid work.

In Neil's case, why not try to support Neil to take his hobby business and, by using existing supports and relationships, step by step, turn it into a "proper" business?

How?

More to come!

Angela's Music

Pictured left to right are Katie, Angela and her mother Liz

Angela loves children and music. With assistance from her family and Job Squad Inc. she is combining these two loves into a business. She is planning to offer music lessons to young children in her local community. Angela's lessons will focus on introducing children to music through fun activities. She states she wants to share her love of music and what she has learned with others. Angela has taken piano lessons for fourteen years and has worked with children at a local daycare for about two years now-these combined experiences will provide a great foundation for Angela's business. She has wonderful qualities for teaching children, including patience and kindness. Job Squad is assisting Angela in the start-up of her business by helping to develop and write a PASS Plan-Plan or Plan to Acheive Self-Support, along with a business plan. The PASS Plan will provide funding for a feasability study and marketing. The purpose of the feasability study is to determine if the business idea makes sense. It will answer questions such as is this a needed service to offer in the local community? If so, where should it be offered? Some places being explored are community centers, churches, libraries, pre-school, daycare centers and other places in the community. Job Squad uses a team approach-bringing together people who agree to support the potential business owner in developing the business concept and providing needed support-this is called a Business Design Team or BDT. Angela's team is comprised of her parents and Job Squad staff-Susan Blosser-Career Counselor, Russell Sickles-Supported Employer Manager, and Katie VanDyke-mentor. Job Squad is proud to be a part of Angela's team!

Anthony Begins Wage Job--Business Start-Up Coming Soon!

Anthony Frye (pictured, above) began a wage job at Sunfire Tanning on November 30th. Anthony was featured in a previous entry , when he received the GED Student of the Year Award for the State of WV.

Anthony, with the support of his family and the owner of Sunfire tanning, is about to submit a Plan To Achieve-Self-Support (PASS) with the goal of starting his own Tanning and Spa business. He is working a small amount, about 6 hours a week, to explore the goodness-of-fit of the work environment.

If approved by the Social Security Administration, the PASS will help Anthony obtain the resources needed during the critical "start-up" period of his business.

More to come!

Greg's Pursuit

Ken Ervin and Mike O'Brian introduced Greg (pictured above, at a protest at the Weston State Hospital) to advocacy.

"Ken and Mike showed me that I can do anything that I put my mind to," Greg says. "A lot of people where telling me that I was not capable of doing what other people where doing, like working, having real relationships, and living on my own."

In December, Greg started his advocacy business, Bilonick Advocacy. In the last nine months, Greg has focused on transition work with students and also begun exploring other business opportunities, searching for ways to take a market-based approach towards advocacy. "Finding ways to get paid to do advocacy has been frustrating--most advocates are funded through grants and also by state and federal money," Greg said. "I've created a line of buttons that where a hit at a recent People First Conference. I've also got a few other ideas that I'll pursue in the next few months."

Greg has also decided to pursue a second job. "I'm hoping to explore other opportunities--I'd like to see what I'm capable of doing."

Bunny's Baskets hopping to a town near You

Jean has worked over a decade as a certified nurse's aid and a number of other jobs. None of them made her happy. After years of lifting patients, and tending to their needs, Jean wanted to give her body a rest from daily stressors of being a CNA. She found herself in the uncomfortable position of searching for other employment.
She was referred to JSI, and began the search of a career.

After exploring different options ranging from funeral homes to the local animal shelter, Jean revealed her real passion: making gift baskets. And so from this idea, Bunny's Baskets and Beyond was born. The "Beyond" in the name is where the real beauty lays. Personalizing them is the key here. Whether it's an anniversary basket that features a CD with the couple's song or a 60s basket decked out in hippy flare, Jean works hard to ensure the product is a reflection of what the buyer is looking for. With the support of her techno-savvy husband and her shopping diva mother, Jean is able to make her customers visions a reality. She has a shy nature, but when she talks about her passion, her eyes light up and she hops out of her shell to tell you about it. The excitement of being able to have control of her destiny and to work at a goal that makes her feel good about herself and life, has helped Jean to step into the limelight. She has received several orders from customers and is in negotiations with some businesses in Monongalia and Marion Counties.

Above left: Jean is holding a tea basket before it's been wrapped.

Above right: A wine basket that Jean made for a fundraiser for the Morgantown Poets.

Bottom: A romance basket.

To contact her about her baskets, email Jean at: bunnysbasketsandbeyond@yahoo.com

Personal Passion becomes Employment Solution

Taking her personal passion and developing it into an income producing business was not what Regina thought would end up being her first paid job, but as she is discovering doing what you love and never thought was possible is one of the most full filling experiences she has had.
Regina has always had an interest in jewelry and pretty things. She also has this ability talk comfortably with everyone she meets especially if she is talking about the jewelry that she makes and sells. Regina is a natural salesperson when it comes to her creations.
Regina has been stringing(making) necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings from beads and semi-precious stones and metals. She has done a few trunk shows by invitation and has/is participating in craft fairs/shows. Regina also does custom orders for individuals and has filled several of those.
Gina's Jewels has received an order from a local art studio, Artworks, that will sell her
creations. The order from Artworks was facilitated through the Active Employer Council, an organization of local business owners/managers that offer their networks as social capital used for job creation.
Regina continues to explore avenues for marketing Gina's Jewels and ways to expand and grow her new business.

WV's VR Policy Related to Self-Employment

I just clicked on the link to . . . WV's VR Policy Related to Self-Employment and was wondering if "the Division" is the West Virginia DRS (Division of Rehabilitative Services)?

The "policy" stated that . . .

"Self employment is a vocational option which may be considered as one of an array of employment choices available to the client and the Rehabilitation Counselor. If self employment is to be the placement of choice, the decision needs to be made as early as possible in the rehabilitation process. Active participation by both the Rehabilitation Counselor and the client are extremely critical in this decision. Self employment is a more viable employment goal today than even a few years ago. Because of the advancements in electronics and computers, new opportunities are available for individuals with disabilities to start a small business in West Virginia. However, owing to the very challenging nature of self employment, both advantages and disadvantages should be carefully considered."

It appears that one of several nuts about to be cracked is broadband access to rural West Virginia residents (or even small community residents). The other is employers, or companies, who are transitioning into telework options for their employees. This would be a huge opportunity for all job seekers in WV.

Satellite broadband and telework may be finally arriving at this time and place.

Could be some very good things are about to happen.

Medical Coding employment at home via telework

Just talked to a friend who has been working at the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) General Hospital since December in patient accounts department. He said that there is a real demand for medical billing and coding specialists. The training is being provided by CAMC for qualified candidates. Entry level positions require no previous experience or certification. Most hospitals and doctor's offices require both. Due to the demand, not only is there the opportunity to start without prior training or experience, but the possibility of future employment at home via telework over the internet.

Stay tuned . . .

Entry Level MEDICAL BILLING and CODING Training Available

United Career Services - Charleston, WV

Are you looking for a meaningful job? Do you like helping others? Do you have an interest in health and medicine? Enjoy the healthcare field but don't like the hands-on clinical aspect Are detail oriented and meticulous when it comes to their work Know the principles of the computer and how to find answers to problems Would you like to enter a career in an expanding field? If you answered 'yes' to five or more of these questions, then billing and coding might be the right career choice for you. Medical billing and coding specialists work for practicing physicians and licensed healthcare practitioners in small to large group practices, dental offices, pharmacies, nursing homes, mdical care facilities and clinics, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations...