Local programs support disabled entrepreneurs
| Wednesday, Jun 30 2010 06:14 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Jun 30 2010 06:30 PM
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Jessica Dijkstra helps a customer try on jewelry from her store on Wednesday. Dijkstra opened Just Jessica Jewelry and Gifts with assistance from Business Builders.
Jade and Trinitie Morris test splatballs as Nikki Escalante, a business coach with Business Builders, looks on. Splatballs are one of the novelties that Michael Tucker sellls at his new store, Crazy to the Core, which he started with the help of Business Builders.
Jessica Dijkstra, right, helps customer Patti Gifford try on jewelry from Jessica's store on Wednesday. Dijkstra started Just Jessica Jewelry and Gifts with help from Business Builders, where Gifford works as a bookkeeper.
Nothing gets in the way of a born entrepreneur like Jessica Dijkstra. Certainly her developmental disability did not -- and neither did a shortage of startup money or lack of business know-how.
All she needed was help. And she got it.
On Wednesday, she and fellow new business owner Mike Tucker were held up as examples of how local organizations are helping people with developmental disabilities achieve their dreams of business ownership.
Dijkstra, 20, needed capital to start her business, Just Jessica Jewelry and Gifts. She was able to save $1,000. Her household income level qualified her to receive another $4,000 in start-up money provided by Kern Schools Federal Credit Union through a federal matching funds program.
Tucker, age 29, got similar help, though in his case he started with $2,000 and ended up with $8,000 to launch his business, Crazy to the Core, an Internet-based novelty and gag gifts business. He's also finishing work on a science fiction novel.
Having completed training in financial literacy and other business skills, both entrepreneurs are getting administrative support such as business planning and marketing help from Business Builders, a Bakersfield nonprofit that contracts with Kern Regional Center, a state-supported program that helps people with disabilities.
Business owner Matt Gjerde, who has cerebral palsy, applauded Dijkstra's and Tucker's achievements Wednesday. He, too, has benefited from the help of Business Builders, even though he did not qualify for the program that multiplied their startup capital.
Gjerde's business, Geek At The Ready, provides tech support for local residents and businesses. He performs the computer consulting and Business Builders takes care of the back-office functions.
"I can really focus on my work and know that the accounting's done accurately," he said.
Another disabled entrepreneur working with Kern Regional, Tracey Mensch, delivered an inspirational speech to kick off Wednesday's ribbon-cutting. She said programs such as Business Builders instill confidence in people who need it.
"Don't let our disabilities get us down," said Mensch, who manages a cafe and snack shop at Kern Regional. She plans to become an inspirational speaker.
Mayor Harvey Hall was on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the official launch of Dijkstra's and Tucker's businesses. He commended them both and called upon the community to support and encourage them along the way.
"It means a lot to them," he said.
