FAQ
Frequently asked question (FAQ)
What if the plan is not feasible?
This is a great question! Please note that not every plan we review is feasible. If we deem a plan is not feasible during any step of the process, we will always recommend a game plan. Sometimes clients will have to work with the agency to get accommodations to continue. As an example, we are working with a client who is passionate about sewing and hemming. However, throughout the entire feasibility process, she kept indicating she was having extreme difficulty with her eyesight and navigating information on the computer. In our report, we indicated the plan could not move forward, unless there was a review of the clients eyesight and ability to navigate the computer. Our team are not vocational counselors, so in these situations, we refer them back to the agency
What if the plan is not feasible?
This is a great question! Please note that not every plan we review is feasible. If we deem a plan is not feasible during any step of the process, we will always recommend a game plan. Sometimes clients will have to work with the agency to get accommodations to continue. As an example, we are working with a client who is passionate about sewing and hemming. However, throughout the entire feasibility process, she kept indicating she was having extreme difficulty with her eyesight and navigating information on the computer. In our report, we indicated the plan could not move forward, unless there was a review of the clients eyesight and ability to navigate the computer. Our team are not vocational counselors, so in these situations, we refer them back to the agency
Can I be part of the process as a counselor?
Absolutely! We don’t only welcome it – we encourage it. In the 20 years of performing plans, there have been only about 10 counselors that have chosen to participate in the process. We understand counselors have large caseloads and work very long hours. However, participating in one plan will give the Counselor an incredible amount of knowledge and respect to the work involved.
As a counselor, I know and feel this plan will work? Can I just bypass the plan?
We have heard this often. Counselors are passionate about their clients and we love that commitment. We certainly take their feedback into consideration. However, our work involves non-biased analysis utilizing data and metrics. I would love to write a check to every client we work with, but that is not feasible. Feasibility is taking an objective review of a particular idea and situation and providing specific data and metrics to showcase that a plan can work
As a counselor, I know and feel this plan will NOT work. Can you just agree?
We have heard this often too. Counselors may have information that leads to this statement. We certainly take their feedback into consideration. However, our work involves non-biased analysis utilizing data and metrics. Sometimes we conclude the plan is feasible but in a different industry. Sometimes we conclude that the plan is actually not feasible. We still follow our standard process.
Can I just send the client to SBA, SCORE, WBC or the SBDC for support?
Kedma Ough worked in leadership roles for the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Women’s Business Center (WBC), and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). They are all excellent training programs. However, there are very clear differentiations between those programs and our company.
- These programs are great for specific niche training. IE bookkeeping
- These programs provided generalized consulting. They are not specialists in supporting persons with disabilities or understanding and navigating the self-employment policies and procedures
- If you review the program’s liability, it will indicate that since the counselors are part of the SBA, they are not held liable for the advising they provide. Our team, on the other hand holds a professional liability credential and therefore, we are very careful in the information we provide and the consulting we offer
Can I pay for the start-up costs NOW and then send them for feasibility?
If, as an agency you begin paying for all the start-up costs, you infer that the plan is feasible. We cannot sign off that a plan is feasible without a feasibility study.
Another QBE did a feasibility study. Do we need another one?
We do not believe in duplicating processes. If a feasibility was done prior, we would need to review the report and determine the situation. The only time we suggest a second feasibility is if it was for a completely new idea.
The client had to stop the process. Can they restart with your team?
At times we know life happens. Clients may get sick, lose a loved one, or have to go on pause. We absolutely support restarting a process. Our reviews are generally considered active for up to 6 months. After 6 months, we may have to restart the process. We generally close the case and then would reopen it under the same plan.
The client had to stop the process. Can they restart with your team?
At times we know life happens. Clients may get sick, lose a loved one, or have to go on pause. We absolutely support restarting a process. Our reviews are generally considered active for up to 6 months. After 6 months, we may have to restart the process. We generally close the case and then would reopen it under the same plan.
The client is asking for an extensive amount of start-up costs
It is very common. Most clients are requesting a large amount of start-up costs. They may not be aware of other resources or may not have reviewed the start-up costs in a reasonable and necessary format. We work very hard to ensure a client is not under-capitalized or over-capitalized. Every request needs to have a clear justification.
How can we support the process?
We always welcome counselors to support the process. You can join one of our calls. Let us know if there are additional information that would help our decision. If there is a sense of urgency, let us know in advance. We are terrible psychics so please let us know if there is something you need from us so we can provide additional information
How much money can the agency provide for my business?
According to regulations, your agency may only fund your initial start-up costs that are deemed reasonable and necessary and a very small amount of ongoing monthly business expenses for a short period of time. When considering your start-up costs think in terms of only what you need to launch your business, not what you need to sustain it over time. Agencies will also help with disability/accommodation-related start-up costs and this is a separate funding source
What is the next step?
- The next step is to complete the initial form
- Schedule an appointment with our team. We will send the calendar
- Review and complete the innovation assessment tool
Our agency is also available for consulting hours on a case-by-case related to various needs specific to clients considering or involved in self-employment. Examples consulting at length with a client and counselor around a proposed business, marketing, expanding a client’s business through adding new products and services etc.
