The 7 keys to entrepreneurial success
Because there is a growing number of deaf people that are becoming entrepreneurs and establishing their own businesses, I want to provide you with some tips and insight to becoming a deaf business owner and entrepreneur.
There are more deaf entrepreneurs running their own businesses than ever before. Technological advances have made it possible for us to access important information, network with suppliers and communicate with clarity.
Being deaf has its challenges, but it should not deter you from your dream. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and want to create your own business, here are some tips for you.
What is a deaf entrepreneur?
A deaf entrepreneur is a person involved in the creation and implementation of a business venture with the anticipation of profit while taking on the financial risk. What makes a deaf business person different is our perseverance to overcome barriers to communication and the stereotypes about what deaf people are capable of while encouraging and inspiring other deaf and hard of hearing people to pursue their business passions.
As a deaf entrepreneur in a hearing world, we face challenges most entrepreneurs don’t even think about. But, we have the same ambition and ability to be business owners. Deaf people have started all kinds of successful businesses, for example:
• Silent Automotive is a deaf-owned auto repair shop and thriving business launched by deaf co-owner Danny Blalock.
• Restaurants like Mozzeria in San Francisco are run by deaf owners, Russ and Melody Stein.
• Fashion designer Mara Ladines is deaf and owns By Mara, a clothing manufacturer and store in New York.
• Deaf twin sisters Hermon and Heroda Berhane are models and run a successful fashion blog.
• Lisa Caldwell owns The Hearing Coach, helping you to live the best life you can with a hearing loss.
• Janet Colledge is a careers education consultant who set up Outstanding Careers to help schools do well in their Ofsted inspections and keep their careers service provision up to date.
• Pete Waller of DeafboyOne is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and journalist. His mission is that all deaf and hard of hearing people will have access to music, just like hearing people.
• Carol Carbine is an energy healer, helping you to re-balance and re-align your chakras and energy pathways for a healthier you.
• Lesley Kiddell-Spencer is an antiques dealer. She owns Lesley’s Loft, selling online and at antique fairs.
• Ian McKean set up TipTop Gardens, specialising in garden maintenance for commercial and domestic customers in central Scotland.
The myth that deaf people are not equipped or suitable to start their own businesses have been debunked. I am living proof that a deaf entrepreneur can succeed as a business owner.
Key enablers for a deaf entrepreneur
7 keys to your entrepreneurial success as a deaf or hard of hearing person.
1. Technological advances
The evolution of technology has provided us with more opportunities to create and establish a business.
• A high-speed internet enables us to more easily start, manage and expand our businesses, as well as providing us access to appropriate sources of business start-up information. The internet has made it possible to connect with vendors, suppliers, financiers, bankers and government offices much more easily.
• Video relay services (VRS) assist us to communicate in sign language with an interpreter who then speaks to a hearing person via the phone. SignVideo provides BSL video interpreting services in the UK, helping make your business more accessible to both hearing and deaf people.
• Video remote interpreting (VRI) allows hard of hearing business owners to communicate with people in the same location, which is great for business meetings.
• Smartphones and apps like Ava, created by deaf people for deaf people, provide real-time captions (less than a second) while people talk – letting deaf people know which person is speaking with tags and colour codes.
• Remote steno captioning for teleconference calls enable deaf people to join in teleconference calls and not miss a beat, with 99% accurate captions streaming in 1 second to your computer screen. This service is also approved by Access to Work.
2. Mentorship
If you’re thinking of starting a business, my advice is to find a mentor that is sensitive to the nature of deaf people. A mentor can guide you through your entrepreneurial journey, providing resources and support. Choose a mentor that can help you connect with the people and technology needed for your business to thrive.
3. Education
Continue your studies and learn more about entrepreneurship and business services so that you have a solid foundation of knowledge to build on.
Deaf Business Academy advances deaf entrepreneurship through education, research and outreach. They empower hard of hearing people by supporting the deaf community and breaking down barriers to success. The Academy ensures that deaf professionals can access the highest quality training for their specific needs. Learn how to build and run your business, and inspire other hard of hearing entrepreneurs to take the leap.
4. Deaf-specific business directories
Business Link 4 Deaf is the UK’s leading deaf and sign language business directory. A directory specially designed to help deaf business owners connect with the services they need, for example, lawyers and other aspiring entrepreneurs.
5. Captioning services
Companies, like 121 Captions, provide live captioning and subtitling services that enable hard of hearing entrepreneurs to have access to important business events, conferences and training opportunities. We also empower deaf professionals to gain the necessary education required to run their own businesses effectively.
6. Networking events and conferences
Hard of hearing entrepreneurs can promote their business and increase their networking power through a variety of expos and conventions, for example, the World Federation of the Deaf Convention that’s held multiple times a year.
These events help build deaf businesses by sharing knowledge and information, aspiring to one goal – increasing deaf business ownership.
7. Experience is the best teacher
In my opinion, experience is the best way to prepare for entrepreneurship. Keep an open mind, learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. Try a variety of jobs and learn about customer service, business planning and employee engagement.
It takes time to build a new business, but with perseverance and never-ending learning, you will succeed.
The unique nature of deaf and hard of hearing people, having to overcome adversity, sets us up for great potential in pursuing our desires for establishing businesses.
There’s never been a better time to launch your own business. Don’t be afraid to take the leap.
If you need help gaining access to important business seminars and training courses, then get in touch, and we’ll help you in your journey to entrepreneurship.
Sources
Atkins, W.S. (2011). Exploring the lived experiences of deaf entrepreneurs and business owners.
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I’m from Chennai (India) . My is hearing impaired. I’m would like to business it good. I’m have imagine technology IT product. I have plan future business for IT product. I have completed Experience hardware and network engineer Professional me. I have current working system engineer at Tech Mahindra company. I have would business IT product. Can I have share join u business. I want to Share business u. I want to job aboard with study part time. Can u have business shard for me. Thank you ma’am
Hi I am deaf, part time job me
I am a deaf entrepreneur in the US. I would love to be a part of this discussions to exchange ideas and more importantly, show support with other deaf-owned businesses. Let’s help one another.
Dr. Anne McIntosh
President, Safe’N’Clear which markets The Communicator clear mask for medical, dental, and educational fields.
Dr. Anne,
I am so glad to hear that you have a business using a clear mask for medical professionals. Please be in touch. Laura@powhearing.com
Hello Dr. Anne,
I found your website that it relates to entrepreneur so I would like to interview with you. It require for my business course. Please let me know. I am an international student and my major is Information Technology at Gallaudet University here.
Thank you
Devesh saini
I am a deaf Entrepreneur from India, and I wish to participate in this conversation. I am a brand creator and I created number of clothing brands.
Many thanks Pratap
My son is deaf. He is a creative design. He is creating clothing brands. I’ll appreciate if he could connect with you.
I am a Deaf Entrepreneur in India. I want to help their all deaf are an employee in India. I need to in the future of technology that i want to own business of many company., I can support a job their all deaf. hope DEAF is grew up for business as employee in India.
Hello Mr.Sourabh! My brother is deaf. He is looking for opportunities to start own business. Can you please share your contact details so that he could contact you.
Thanks.
Ramakanth.
Ramakanth.raman@gmail.com
Bro….i m deaf….but i can listen with hearing impaired.and that why i msg for help.and i want job.
I’m Dennis from Kenya …I’m looking forward to someone can help me to gain more knowledge In entrepreneurial skills but I’m not highly educated I’m a form 4s level…..respond mainadennis12@gmail.com
DESK in partnership with the UNDP is having a Business skills and entrepreneurship development training going on and they in tend to training like 200 groups of Deaf community. Desk is in Embu. get in touch. Am a consultant in the training doing entrepreneurship and marketing and sales
i want to join undp training .i am hearing impaired from ethiopia
We are delighted to inform you of our course that has been developed to motivate and inspire people with disabilities who would like to know more about starting a business.
The course is designed and delivered by myself and Ryan Compton
We both have experience of setting up our own businesses, and have done so despite the barriers we have faced as individuals with disabilities.
We are passionate about what we do, and about encouraging more people to follow our lead, whatever barriers are placed in their way.
This course is designed for…….
Those seeking a new career
Those who are unemployed / have long term health conditions
Those who have an idea for a business opportunity but are not quite sure how to take it forward
The learning outcomes will:
Identify which social media platform is most suitable for your sole-trader business
Understand how to effectively market your business, identifying your customers and your branding approach
Explore advantages and disadvantages of self-employment
Explore your funding options and available support
Identify factors to consider, when building and maintaining your website
Analyse considerations when developing a business plan, including opportunities and threats to your business
Understand your personal strengths and weaknesses in relation to self-employment
Understanding the importance of self-presentation, and its impact on your business
We would be delighted to arrange a call to discuss this further to explore opportunities of working together to empower your clients.
We look forward to hearing from you.
for more information on the course visit: http://www.visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com/training/be-your-own-boss-course/
Kindest Regards
Daniel Williams
Director
Visualise Training and Consultancy
Tel: 07472305268
Email: daniel@visualisetrainingandconsultancy.co.uk
Wow! The info you have demonstrated here is simply commendable. Yes, it is really top to become a successful entrepreneur. Because lots of challenges and so many risks are involved in it. So, if anyone wants to become an affluent entrepreneur, then he should have the ability to lead the business from the front by taking the initiative. In addition to that, he must make the right decisions on his own. Well, it is all about of becoming a successful business tycoon. I think the hardest thing is to become highly successful as a deaf entrepreneur. It is mainly because the same task becomes more difficult in front of a deaf businessman. So, from my outlook, it is better that he should at least go through above steps which will assist him in his growth as a deaf entrepreneur.
I am a pround HOH entrepreneur in the US. I am looking to connect with other Deaf and HOH entrepreneurs and mentors.
I am deaf . my father is a businessman. i wish i need to work with my father . but my communication is failure for me. what can i do?