Brett Gundlock/National PostSunny Gervan, of Design Revolution, has learned to manage her disability and forge a successful professional career.
More avenues are opening up for people with health challenges and physical disabilities to launch their own business. This is especially important as the term "disability" grows to include conditions that aren't physically obvious, ranging from environmental sensitivities to chronic pain, learning challenges, behavioural disorders or even clinical depression.Yet, there is a growing awareness that such individuals are more than capable of running their own business and in many cases, are better able to manage their condition when in charge of their own schedules and work commitments.
Sunny Gervan has quadrupled her client list within one year of launching an architectural renovation and restoration company, Design Revolution.
Having learned the business under the tutelage of her father, designer Mac Gervan in Kingston, Ont., Ms. Gervan had to relocate to Toronto to access health programs unavailable in that city.
She describes her condition only as a "hidden disability" that is episodic in nature and requires her to carefully manage her workload. To empower herself in the business world, she enlisted in programs funded by the federal and provincial governments, including a business incubator that caters to entrepreneurs with disabilities run by the Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC).
"I learned how to organize, prioritize and be disciplined," says Ms. Gervan, whose clients run the gamut from individual homeowners to contractors. They retain her expertise in a project management capacity, which requires her to liaise with government agencies and facilitate requisite permits and specifications.
She says the one-on-one coaching she received from the program's business advisors was particularly beneficial. "They showed me ways I could make contingency plans to get through what are normal ups and downs for most people, but for me would be a little more exaggerated in terms of fatigue or the ability to get through a day. There are things that come up on a regular basis that I need to carefully manage. At the same time, I want to work because it makes me feel good," she says.
"Because I'm aware of my health challenges and I'm very careful with my energy and my health, I've structured my business with safeguards and partnerships that create a solid foundation for my business and its growth."
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