Who’s Your Boss? I’m The Boss!

By Diana McCauley and Jenny Gilker, Employment Services, CPA Ontario

A chance discovery of a device that made Mike Johnson’s life a bit easier created an opportunity for him to be his own boss.  In May 2010, after a year and a half of careful planning, Mike officially launched SCIsupply Inc. It’s a company that specializes in the online sale and distribution of incontinence supplies.

After a spinal cord injury during a grade 11 high school football practice changed the course of his life, Mike went on to not only finish his high school education, but to achieve a great deal more.  Mike completed a three-year business diploma program at Humber College, followed by a BA in psychology at York University.  He then landed a job with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in HR, for what he thought would be a long career.  However, it was not to be, as Mike decided that HR wasn’t for him. So he returned to school for one year, to complete his MBA, with an entrepreneurial focus, at Wilfrid Laurier University.

The idea for his business began to take shape during his year at Laurier, where he received input from his professors.  Mike received cash and in-kind services as the recipient of ‘Launch Pad’, a start-up award given yearly to selected participants in the MBA program.  This funding, combined with a $15,000 loan from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, formed the financial foundation for starting his business.

Mike’s idea for his business came from his own experiences as a consumer.  After his discharge from rehabilitation he found he was having some difficulties in the "plumbing department".  After some searching, he found the answers he needed in a product that he didn’t even know existed.  He thought it shouldn’t have to be that hard to find what you need, and voila… SCIsupply Inc. was born.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Mike.  The development of the company website was particularly challenging. He also had to be persistent at convincing some manufacturers about the benefits of an online business model.  On the other hand, some of the manufacturers didn’t need the same convincing, and they especially liked the idea of doing business with an entrepreneur who also happens to have a spinal cord injury. 

Now that the website has been launched, Mike is full speed ahead on marketing his business.  He recently spent two days at People in Motion, manning a booth and doing lots of talking about what he has to offer consumers.  He is also spending advertising dollars in newsletters and magazines like Outspoken!

So, if you’ve got a great business idea, Mike’s advice would be, “Don’t lose momentum.  When you have an idea it’s easy to let it fall by the wayside.  It’s easy to start having doubts.  Put your energy into the development of the idea and just keep moving forward.”

Check out Mike’s website at:  www.scisupply.ca

CPA Employment Services provides employment services for people with disabilities who are seeking paid employment.  Working for somebody else is not for everybody.  Self employment is a career option.

Starting your own business might be easier than you think and there are a variety of organizations available to assist you in starting your business.  For a list of these resources, go to www.cpaont.org/service/employment, or contact Jenny Gilker, Employment Information Coordinator at 416-422-5644 (ext. 245) or email jenny.gilker@cpaont.org.

The following is a sample of some of the resources listed on our website:

Toronto Business Development Centre (www.tbdc.com)

Thinking of starting your own business or looking for new ways of growing your business?  TBDC can help you.  TBDC has the resources in place to assist you along the way.  Service includes business skills development and ongoing counselling.  TDBC’s BIZ Futures program is a skills development and business support program designed specifically for persons with disabilities who are starting their own business. 

Enterprise Toronto (www.enterprisetoronto.com)

Managed by the City of Toronto Economic Development & Culture Office, Enterprise Toronto’s goal is to help entrepreneurs at the early and initial growth stage of their business, by assisting them to make good business decisions, developing their management capabilities, and linking them to information concerning marketing, management, leadership solutions and sources of financing.

Canada Business Ontario (www.canadabusiness.ca)

CBO’s goal is to help your business grow and succeed through access to reliable, up-to-date information and services tailored to your needs.  CBO is committed to providing you with a wide range of information on government services, programs and regulations relevant to existing and potential business entrepreneurs.  CBO delivers services through an organized network of service centres across Canada, one in each province and territory.  Moreover, each centre works with partners in many other communities in their regions thus providing you with numerous service access points.

Business Advisory Group (www.smallbusinessadvisory.com)

The Business Advisory Group (BAG) is an incorporated, not-for-profit organization whose members provide their time and expertise to provide business advice.  BAG operates in Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton, offering meetings in a number of convenient locations.  The fee for a half-day meeting with three of their members is $150.  Members will develop an understanding of your situation, offer suggestions, and follow-up with a written summary of the major points.