User:Domsphere/sandbox



Disabled Entrepreneurs is an organization committed to inspiring and supporting disabled people wishing to start their own businesses. Their mission statement is to provide a voice and networking opportunities for all disabled entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom.

History
Disabled Entrepreneurs was Founderfounded]] in 2010 by Shane Bratby and Dom Smith. Each co-founder runs their own independent business whilst managing their disabilities; Shane is the Director of MobilityBuy.com and Dom is Managing Editor of alternative music and culture magazine Soundsphere Magazine.

At age ten Shane was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, a degenerative and rare neurological condition, and was not expected to live past twenty-five years of age. Dom Smith was born with Cerebral palsy, and was not expected to be able to walk past the age of twelve.

The two men met at a networking event in Bradford, whilst they were both ambassadors for Enterprise UK. With Shane now in his thirties, and Dom continuing to walk with the aid of two sticks well into his twenties, the duo were determined to help other people with disabilities gain access to the assistance they might need in order to succeed in the business world.

Objectives

 * Inspire people with any disability to become a Disabled Entrepreneur.
 * Provide networking opportunities among disabled people of all ages and disabilities.
 * Signpost opportunities for accessible and appropriate training and development to disabled entrepreneurs.
 * Discuss business challenges as a collective in board meetings.
 * Share business contacts and leads with other members.
 * Assist in looking at strategic issues around disability, small business management and self-employment.
 * Benefit their members with exciting business.

Services
Disabled Entrepreneurs provide services to both businesses and individuals, in the following areas:


 * Funding/Investment
 * Business Mentoring
 * Business Video production
 * Web design
 * PR and Marketing
 * Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
 * Public speaking

Magazine
Disabled Entrepreneurs will launch an online magazine to accompany their service in 2015.