Season Two Episode 1: The Small Business Playbook: Tips from Veteran Consultant Will Holmes
Release Date: 10/11/2023
Season Four Episode 4: Redefining Purpose Through Entrepreneurship: Veterans, Disability, and Opportunity
Disability Owned Podcast
In this episode, Gary Shaheen, Ph.D., Director for Mental Health Initiatives at the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, is joined by Misty Fox, Director of Entrepreneurship & Small Business at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Together, they spotlight entrepreneurship as a powerful pathway to independence, purpose, and renewed identity for Veterans with disabilities. The conversation explores the transformative impact of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), highlighting how the program equips Veterans with the tools,...
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Season Four Episode 3: ABLE Accounts Made Simple: Tools for Financial Confidence and Entrepreneurship
Disability Owned Podcast
In this episode, Nikki Powis, Director of Small Business Programs at the National Disability Institute, is joined by Jody Ellis, Director of the ABLE National Resource Center, for a clear and practical conversation about ABLE accounts. Jody breaks down everything listeners need to know—from eligibility requirements and how to open the right account to understanding qualified expenses and how ABLE accounts interact with Social Security benefits. The discussion also explores how ABLE accounts can support entrepreneurs and small business owners with disabilities, along with where to find...
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Season Four Episode 2: Empowerment in Action: Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs to Thrive
Disability Owned Podcast
In this episode, Caroline Bolas, Small Business Specialist at the National Disability Institute, sits down with Stephanie Swanson, an ICF-credentialed coach and founder of The Empower Network. Stephanie shares her personal journey into entrepreneurship and the mission driving her work to support disabled business owners. Together, they explore the real challenges disabled entrepreneurs face—from accessing funding to finding meaningful mentorship—while also highlighting powerful success stories from The Empower Network. Listeners will gain practical, encouraging advice and a deeper...
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Season Four Episode 1: When Creativity Meets Opportunity: Supporting Disability-Owned Businesses
Disability Owned Podcast
In this episode, Caroline Bolas, Small Business Specialist at the National Disability Institute, is joined by Sue Babin, Special Projects Coordinator at the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council, along with Rachel Rasnick, owner of Rachel Rasnick Art and More, and her mother, Karen Rasnick. Together, they explore how entrepreneurship can open doors, build confidence and skills, and create meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities. The conversation highlights the joy of creative business ownership, the essential role of family support, and the importance of inclusive...
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Season Three Episode 6: Invisible Strengths: The Hidden Advantage in Today's Workforce
Disability Owned Podcast
In this episode, guest Mariah Barber, Founder and CEO of Invisible Strengths, is interviewed by host Caroline Bolas, Small Business Specialist at NDI. Drawing on her own experiences, Mariah provides insights into the challenges that individuals with disabilities, especially those with intersecting identities, can face when trying to find employment. Listeners will learn why it benefits employers to be more inclusive, the steps that both employers and job seekers can take and where to find resources and support.
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Season Three Episode 5: Creative Minds, Innovative Solutions: Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs Speak
Disability Owned Podcast
In this episode, guests Lilian Aluri of The Nerdware Store and J Li of Prototype Thinking Labs are interviewed by host Lydia X.Z. Brown, Director of Public Policy at NDI. his episode features a conversation with two neurodivergent small business owners. Lilian Aluri started her art business, The Nerdware Store, at the beginning of 2021 to share whimsical and fandom-inspired designs with fellow nerds. Her anxiety and depression have shaped much of her adult life and inform her artistic and professional pursuits. J Li is the creator and Senior Partner of Prototype Thinking Labs, a specialized...
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Season Three Episode 4: The Neurodivergent Advantage: Unique Perspectives in Business Leadership
Disability Owned Podcast
In this episode, guests Elayne Otstot of Singing River Consulting and Dr. Karissa Burnett of Divergent Pathways are interviewed by host Lydia X.Z. Brown, Director of Public Policy at NDI. The conversation delves into the experiences of two neurodivergent small business owners. Elayne shares insights from her accessibility and communications consultancy, which focuses on disability inclusion and project management for nonprofits and creatives. Dr. Burnett discusses her journey as a psychologist and entrepreneur, highlighting the establishment of her neurodiversity-affirming private practice in...
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Season Three Episode 3: From Job Seeker to Change Maker: Dr. Kirk Adams on Transforming Workplace Inclusion
Disability Owned Podcast
Dr. Kirk Adams Consultant, Inspiration Foundation, is interviewed by host Nikki Powis, Director, Small Business Programs, NDI. Dr. Adams has been a Blind job seeker, an employee in corporate America facing challenges around accommodation and discrimination and an employer of people who are Blind and DeafBlind. He has a PhD in Leadership and Change and wants to make it easier for the next Blind person to gain early work experience, build skills and find meaningful employment. He shares the things that helped him along the way and the work he is currently doing to help the next generation.
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Season Three Episode 2: Peaceful Profits: How Disability-Inclusive Hiring Built a Successful Snack Company
Disability Owned Podcast
Evan Delahanty, Founder and CEO, Peaceful Fruits joins host Nikki Powis, Director, Small Business Programs, NDI, as he shares how he started the company Peaceful Fruits while intentionally hiring staff with disabilities and paying them competitive wages. He explains how he started from a mission to build a company that he was proud of and ended up structuring training and support for staff to ensure that everyone had what they need to do their best work. He discusses the benefits he has found in employing people with disabilities, the importance of nutritious food and the work of the Peaceful...
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Season Three Episode 1: Unlocking Hidden Talent: The Power of Disability-Inclusive Hiring
Disability Owned Podcast
In this episode, guest Wendy Strobel Gower, Project Director, NE ADA Center, is interviewed by host Nikki Powis, Director, Small Business Programs, NDI. Listeners will learn about accessing an underutilized labor pool during the “great resignation” and recent challenges to find talent. The discussion will include how companies can address fears, assumptions and unconscious bias around hiring people with disabilities, so companies can access this untapped pool of talent. The benefits of hiring people with disabilities and resources for providing accommodations will be highlighted.
info_outlineWill Holmes, an experienced business management consultant, and founder of Will Holmes Consulting will share his expertise on small business development. He provides practical information for business owners on accessing capital, growing revenue, hiring staff and community impact.