Investing in Me

A few months ago, I wrote about my desire to micro-invest in businesses starting on the 30th anniversary of my first open heart surgery. Well, I ended up having a pacemaker implanted on November 10th (yes I'm 32 and a cyborg lol) so that didn't go as planned on November 8th. Instead, I decided to invest in me this month.  Although, I did give to a couple of small businesses in October :).

I thought long and hard about my next venture. I've worked in education (former special education teacher), nonprofit (people with disabilities), volunteered with veteran service organizations and helped startups.  I decided that it was time to start my own for-profit social enterprise.  The thinking didn't start in November.  It started last year on a visit to Michigan, my home state.  I was devastated to see empty storefronts.  Later, Borders, my favorite local bookstore (I grew up in Ann Arbor), closed.  I wanted to do something, but couldn't decide what or how.  In November, after the pacemaker implant, I decided to go for it.

I asked a web developer for help, asked a friend for more help and while recuperating, did market research.  I had to learn how to incorporate in Michigan while living in California.  I engaged a great Michigan-based writer to help with articles that I'd need written.  In January, my new venture will debut.  Wish me luck!

I'm not giving up on my promise for micro-philanthropy.  I'll still give and document my $30/month.  Now I'm going to spread what I'm doing even further. 

Entrepreneurship and Disability: Where's the focus?

Warning: I'm not going to get too deep, but I may say things others will find objectionable.....

I've been to a lot of workshops, seminars, and events for entrepreneurs.  At those events, I never saw anyone with a visible disability. When pondering that, I began to wonder if any were like me, with a non-visible disability.  Sadly, I began to doubt it because I started thinking about the various disability rights groups and their foci (plural of focus).  Many of those groups focus on Medicaid funds (which many of us do not receive), maintenance of social security benefits (which many of us were denied), research (to eradicate and cure people of the disability) and part-time employment in retail positions and entry-level positions (where those of us with college degrees don't work).  There are some that focus on entrepreneurship, but it's on a microenterprise scale and limited to certain industries (the push for clean tech, environmentally sustainable businesses and tech start ups are not the focus).  All this pondering led me to the following questions:

• Where does this leave people with disabilities in a changing economy?  
• Where are they to get the information that is given to their peers who do not have disabilities? 
• How can people with disabilities form start-ups in growing industries such as biology, health care, green industries and technology?  
• Are universities and colleges advertising their hiring partnerships to those with disabilities who are not registered with their disability resource center (Dept of Labor campaign)?
• Are the universities and colleges with incubators and accelerators encouraging those with disabilities to join, state their ideas and create businesses beyond the microenterprise level?
• When entrepreneurs are creating devices and apps for people with disabilities, are they paying their focus subjects or bringing them in as partners?
• Why aren't disability rights organizations and disability specific groups advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities into high growth fields at management levels?
• When I read blogs decrying the actions of politicians in taking away so-called "entitlement" benefits, why aren't I reading blogs from people with disabilities decrying our lack of participation in and outreach about Start Up America?
• Should type of disability matter (visible vs internal, developmental vs acquired)? Note: If you answered, "yes", then you failed the test and should read ADAA (the reauthorization of the American with Disabilities Act and the definition of disability).
• Is a lack of perceived need for accommodations what keeps me in the loop, while locking others out?

Again...just a few questions I pondered.  

Clean tech incubator

LA CleanTech is throwing an office warming party on July 28th. What makes this incubator different? It is a partnership between a nonprofit and the department of water and power. Eco friendly companies only. To RSVP, send an email to RSVP@centralcityeast.org by July 25th. To learn more, visit http://laincubator.org.

Square Up and Pay Up

Oh yeah, it's hip to be square again.  Square is a company started by one of the co-founders of Twitter.  Attach a small device to your mobile phone and swipe a credit card to receive payment for services anywhere. This is a great device for those who make house calls, when hosting a table in public, or to get donations while out (listen up nonprofits).  In fact, if you sign up, you get a free card reader in the mail. The only fee? A 2.75% processing fee.  I like that they try to check a person's identity before allowing the person to receive payments, they text an app download reminder to begin use.

Instagr.am: Having been born too late for the telegram, this will definitely do

Are you like me and wish you lived in during the olden days/days of yesteryear, just to receive a telegram?  Well, now you can get one via your smartphone.  Ok...via an iPhone.  You can share photos to Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and check-in to Foursquare with this app.  Instagr.am features 11 filters, including color, tonality, border, and mood.  With an open API for developers, it's a definite "win".

Embed.ly: the service that leaves me speechless

That's hard to do and it's why Embed.ly won my respect.  Connecting visuals (videos, pictures) and audio to Twitter and other sites embedded in URLs was a winning idea and I'm glad someone acted on it. It includes an API, analytics, and is relatively inexpensive ($20/month with a 50,0000 URL ceiling).

Next Digest

From Tech Jobs to startup news, NextDigest sends readers weekly reading lists with uberhelpful articles, like the best social marketing sites.  I'm subscribed to each list.  Who are the curators?  Marketers for venture firms, successful entrepreneurs, and a TEDx Curator. 

Biz Spark-What made me fall for Microsoft all over again

Ok, so I don't like every product, but Microsoft BizSpark is a program that Microsoft got right.  They help tech startups within the first 3 years of operation.  The startup gets free professional software from Microsoft, the chance to be a Start Up of the Day (wide exposure over Facebook, Twitter and more), access to capital, access to experts, student help and other great features.  Not interested in being an entrepreneur? That's ok...you can find talent here too.  They have a DreamSpark program for students and another program for those interested in web development. 

Sprouter

Who doesn't want expert advice from the founder of Mint.com?  From their own words (I couldn't say it any better), "Sprouter is the place to get answers from renowned entrepreneurs, active investors, and experts in small business topics including law, SEO, and marketing."  Ask questions, attend events, vote, share, comment, browse experts, get news and enjoy a hub of your own.  Did I mention you get all this for FREE?

Schedulicity

Schedulicity is by far one of my new favorite sites and services.  Schedule an appointment online with your favorite hair dresser, salon (new partnership with L'Oreal), personal trainer, realtor, or consultant.  You can book online or call for an appointment.  It's free to clients and businesses pay under $20/month for a basic service.  I can't wait to see what other features they roll out next. 

Inc Magazine

What's so great about Inc Magazine is that you can find it offline too.  They're best at blog articles regarding web applications that help make business operations easier and marketing easier.  I'm a Twitter follower and a fan on Facebook. This magazine is created especially for the entrepreneur.  However, nonprofits should follow this site too.

Mashable

I can't say enough good things about Mashable.  I'm a fan on Facebook and follow most of their channels on Twitter.  I learn about all the hot new social media sites, mobile apps (Grouped In anyone?), SXSW, technology in education (so great!),  technology for good, startups, web apps (Schedulicity is a new favorite) and so much more.  I swear they're responsible for most apps on my phone and making my life much easier and much more organized.  I also love their articles that are specifically written for marketing and businesses.  Very readable and entertaining.