By Ross Evans

I own my own business. It is called Evan’s Barn Keeping. I am really proud of that.

My job coach talked to me one day and asked if I wanted to start my own business. I said, “Yes.” That was the beginning of something great. I went out and found my own customers. They were people who needed help taking care of barns where horses are kept.

Every day, I go to work and take care of the barns. I shovel the pens and grab shavings. It is real work, and I do it well. I know how to help people with barn work. That is what I am really good at. My customers need someone they can count on, and they can count on me.

When I first started, things were not always easy. Finding customers was hard, and getting started was hard, too. It took some time, but I did not give up. I kept going and I built my business up. I found my customers and kept working hard for them.

Now, I show up and do my job. I shovel the pens. I grab the shavings. I help my customers with what they need. They know they can trust me to do good work. I take pride in every job I do.

The thing that makes me most proud is that I own my own business. I said “yes” when someone believed in me, and then I made it happen. Evan’s Barn Keeping is mine. I built it. That means everything to me.

If you are a self-advocate thinking about starting your own business, I want you to know that it is possible. It was hard at first for me, too, but I kept going. Now, I have my own business and my own customers. I go to work every day and do something I am good at. That feels really good.