Being profoundly hearing impaired, I found seeking new employment incredibly challenging – and despite applying for over 60 positions, had been constantly overlooked, despite my expertise. In frustration, and knowing I had excellent skills and experience I could monetise; I gave up looking for a job and decided to employ myself! I carved out a role in what I loved to do most in previous jobs and have successfully run my boutique design studio JUSJO Creative for eight years.

I discussed these challenges with Dr Gary Allen, CEO of Enabled.vip and promptly joined the platform to access not only entrepreneurship and business mentoring, but also the range of ever-growing resources available on the platform. … Gary has also been a keen listening ear when I have had challenges with clients and has provided sound business advice.  Being able to speak to another person with a disability who understands my plight has given me confidence.

Since most of my work has come via word of mouth, I have not needed to, nor had time to, advertise or market my business, and despite my strong design and multimedia skills, I have not built a website or established my own social media presence – even though communication, marketing, web and social media management is a core part of my freelance business. I had also been lacking in some essential business skills, including setting rates, quoting and estimating jobs, and was lacking in self-confidence with my negotiation skills. My naivety in business meant I often underquoted, sometimes people took advantage of me or did not describe the job correctly, meaning I was unable to estimate the hours it would take to complete – leading me to work for a loss quite frequently.

I discussed these challenges with Dr Gary Allen, CEO of Enabled.vip and promptly joined the platform to access not only entrepreneurship and business mentoring, but also the range of ever-growing resources available on the platform. I have had several mentoring sessions with Gary, where he has assisted me on how to structure my pricing by charging by the project, in preference to by the hour. Gary has also been a keen listening ear when I have had challenges with clients and has provided sound business advice. Being able to speak to another person with disability who understands my plight has given me confidence.

Other areas of the platform that I have enjoyed, are the range of curated reading materials in the resources section of the site, particularly those which have taught me about operating a small business in Australia. I have also found value in being able to share my stories with other members and people with disability in the regular members blogs and quarterly newsletter (having contributed two so far). Having built a great rapport and level of trust with Gary and the wider Enabled.vip team, and with a desire to help others on a similar journey to myself, I joined the Advisory Board as a volunteer, and have been contributing my design skills to assist the business grow.

One of the areas I am greatly looking forward to in future, is the Enabled.vip “Bazaar” – a virtual marketplace linked to Fiverr.com. Whilst this section of the platform is still in development, I can see great benefit in how members will be able to collaborate and support each other, whilst developing our skills, self-confidence and self-worth as we collaboratively forge forward to establish self-sustainable and unbridled futures.

Jo Kek-Pamenter
Creative Director, JUSJO Creative
Advisory Board and Gold platform member