I’ve been thinking a lot lately about self-employment in the autistic community. We often hear about barriers to employment, but not as much about autistic people starting their own businesses or being self-employed.
Do you know some programs that can offer entrepreneurial training for autistic people?
Is it that the stories just aren’t being shared enough?
A lot of self employed people have autism and/or ADHD. Especially if they run their own business. No-one taught me about business or how to run one my own brain taught me everything. I didn't know I had autism at the time but realised in August 2023 I had it and learnt more about it and realised what my brain does. I was working in retail at the time my brain was teaching itself about business and my brain was analysing everything, what people were buying, their shopping habits and gender differences. I was made responsible for a section within a department for about 4 months. I knew how much stock to get the manager to order to keep up with demand although some things were not always available to order. I used my logical thinking to entice customers to look at what was there. Because of the amount of money I was making they moved me somewhere else and I applied the same logic and information my brain had analysed to the new section and in 4 weeks I was outselling stores of a similar size in the whole of the UK.
To get into any business it's always best to centre it around something you enjoy, or a special interest. Before turning anything into a business do your research learn as much about what you are selling as you can, learn about what your consumer wants and likes. Look at similar products to what you want to sell and see what prices they are selling for and if they are selling quickly or are slow and look at the cost of time, equipment, packaging and stock. Research where it is best to sell your product as starting the selling in a good place will help you long-term. Know your market and profit margins and factor in costs such as selling fees and postage. There is no point getting into something if you don't have a suitable profit margin.
You may find your brain is able to log a lot of information which will help you progress and expand your business when you feel the time is right.
If you're not used to selling things it's always worth selling your own personal things you no-longer want or need to get a feel for selling and packaging, posting etc. or selling in person at say a carboot or jumble sale/trail. It always worth doing that so you can get a feel for what works for you and start off small and expand if and when you are ready to do more hours.
I know business owners who do up to 18 hour days and they were making an amount of money that meant they had to be VAT registered and change from sole trader to a limited company. At the moment I don't intend to go to that level of earnings as I don't need to I just want enough to do the things I want to and to be able to save some money as well.
I sell my specialist interest and have the knowledge to sell other items as and when I find them to grab a bigger market share and diversify so I'm not reliant on solely one thing. I've been selling my own bits and bobs for years, it was only last October i decided to take the plunge and give it a go.
Once you have the knowledge you need and are ready to start, register your business name with HMRC and register for self assessment as you will always have to submit one even if you don't make a profit or earn anything. Search on companies house website as that will tell you if there is already someone registered with the business name you decide if you don't choose to just register in your name.
You are also entitled to half hour advice for free from an accountant. The only ones I know are boffix, although as they are well known and respected there is a high demand so best to look at slots available ASAP or you could be waiting a while. Their website will give information on what they can offer you and help you decide whether you want to do everything yourself or you feel you need some support and whether they can offer what you need.
Hope my information is of use to you.
A lot of self employed people have autism and/or ADHD. Especially if they run their own business. No-one taught me about business or how to run one my own brain taught me everything. I didn't know I had autism at the time but realised in August 2023 I had it and learnt more about it and realised what my brain does. I was working in retail at the time my brain was teaching itself about business and my brain was analysing everything, what people were buying, their shopping habits and gender differences. I was made responsible for a section within a department for about 4 months. I knew how much stock to get the manager to order to keep up with demand although some things were not always available to order. I used my logical thinking to entice customers to look at what was there. Because of the amount of money I was making they moved me somewhere else and I applied the same logic and information my brain had analysed to the new section and in 4 weeks I was outselling stores of a similar size in the whole of the UK.
To get into any business it's always best to centre it around something you enjoy, or a special interest. Before turning anything into a business do your research learn as much about what you are selling as you can, learn about what your consumer wants and likes. Look at similar products to what you want to sell and see what prices they are selling for and if they are selling quickly or are slow and look at the cost of time, equipment, packaging and stock. Research where it is best to sell your product as starting the selling in a good place will help you long-term. Know your market and profit margins and factor in costs such as selling fees and postage. There is no point getting into something if you don't have a suitable profit margin.
You may find your brain is able to log a lot of information which will help you progress and expand your business when you feel the time is right.
If you're not used to selling things it's always worth selling your own personal things you no-longer want or need to get a feel for selling and packaging, posting etc. or selling in person at say a carboot or jumble sale/trail. It always worth doing that so you can get a feel for what works for you and start off small and expand if and when you are ready to do more hours.
I know business owners who do up to 18 hour days and they were making an amount of money that meant they had to be VAT registered and change from sole trader to a limited company. At the moment I don't intend to go to that level of earnings as I don't need to I just want enough to do the things I want to and to be able to save some money as well.
I sell my specialist interest and have the knowledge to sell other items as and when I find them to grab a bigger market share and diversify so I'm not reliant on solely one thing. I've been selling my own bits and bobs for years, it was only last October i decided to take the plunge and give it a go.
Once you have the knowledge you need and are ready to start, register your business name with HMRC and register for self assessment as you will always have to submit one even if you don't make a profit or earn anything. Search on companies house website as that will tell you if there is already someone registered with the business name you decide if you don't choose to just register in your name.
You are also entitled to half hour advice for free from an accountant. The only ones I know are boffix, although as they are well known and respected there is a high demand so best to look at slots available ASAP or you could be waiting a while. Their website will give information on what they can offer you and help you decide whether you want to do everything yourself or you feel you need some support and whether they can offer what you need.
Hope my information is of use to you.
