Sherlock Washington
President SW Unlimited

In 1998, after thinking about it and planning for it for a long time, I took a chance and did something that was scary and frightening. It was also something I really wanted. I became the founder and CEO of my own business, SW Unlimited, Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Before starting SW Unlimited, I had been working for another company as the Director of Asset Re-Marketing and Recovery. This job involved the purchasing of used computers, parts, and peripherals from Fortune 1000 companies. After the acquisition of the equipment, it was audited, tested and cleaned. The equipment was then ready for resale and it was my job to find potential buyers for this equipment.

I enjoyed my work and was good at it, however, the company decided to downsize. Translation – they told me that I my employment contract would not be renewed. It was at that moment, I realized it was time for me to make what became, a life changing decision.

I had always been told that I was very talented in the remarketing business and at that time I had the option of choosing from 1 of 3 companies or I could strike out on my own, relying on the skills I had developed over the last 10 years. I chose the option of striking out on my own. I took a chance on myself and decided to become the director of my future, rather than leaving it in the hands of others.

I knew that I needed to find out about resources that would assist me in achieving my goal. One of the things I did was contact the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. A gentleman from the Commission’s Business Enterprise Program visited me at my home and we discussed how they could assist me and what I needed to do to start my own business. One of the most important things I needed to do is develop a business plan and submit it for review. After doing some research, which included speaking to people who already owned their own businesses, I developed my plan and submitted it for review. It was deemed viable and the Commission agreed to support me in starting my new venture.

The Commission was able to supply me with much of the equipment I needed to begin my business, including office furniture, equipment and state-of-the-art assistive technology that would enable me to handle the operations of my business independently. One of the biggest problems I encountered on a daily basis when working for someone else was always transportation to and from work. The location of my new office solved that problem. I no longer had to rely on public transportation, a private contractor or the goodness of friends and family to get to work. All I had to do was simply walk down the hall and up the stairs because the office of SW Unlimited, LLC is located in my home.

Once my office was set up and equipped, I was then left to my own resources to “make it happen.” I let all my contacts in the business world know that my company was up, running, ready, willing and able to meet their needs.

I also took further steps to carve out a niche in business. My research found that there was a nearly uncovered market – assistive technology. Assistive technologies are electronic aides that help individuals with disabilities and level the playing field by giving access to what non-disabled people take for granted. Another thing that stood out was the fact that there were no disabled vendors in that market. I was now onto something which was unique, because I was able to sell the products to others who were in need of this technology.

Another very valuable resource was the NJ Institute of Technology Defense Procurement Center. My contact there told me I should apply for a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) certification. I was also put in contact with individuals with the Small Business Association (SBA) which gave me assistance in marketing my company and services to major companies within the federal government. I also felt at that time, to be more noticed, I would try to get more state/federal opportunities, thus leading to my applying for an 8A certification. This type of certification is for anyone with a disability, or a minority-owned business and allows the business to get set-aside opportunities with companies that do business with the federal government.

The process to gain all these certifications took quite some time. Visibility was still necessary and it was one of my priorities. I began to work with the SBA, attending conferences that enabled individual business owners like me to partner with large companies. This gave me an opportunity to meet people, market my business and gather information for expanding my network of prospective customers.

It is now nine years later, and the beat goes on. One still needs to evaluate the marketplace and go after the areas that need help. One must stay fresh. One must stay visible.

The biggest difference in owning your own business and working for someone else is the way you make your income. When working for a company, there is a paycheck, whether it is weekly, biweekly, bimonthly or even monthly, there is a regular income which is budgeted to cover the bills you must pay. When you work for yourself, you are constantly hoping and working for business to continue to come your way. It is also not necessarily a 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday job anymore. There are times that 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, 7 days a week becomes the norm. But the redeeming part is the more you put in, the more you get out.

Anyone who is thinking about starting their own business has several things to keep in mind and come to terms with:

Am I willing to give up a secure job with a comfortable paycheck and benefit package?
Am I up for the daily challenge?
Am I willing to give up my personal time—after 5:00 pm or before 9:00 am?
Am I willing to take total responsibility and commit myself to the business and all that making it successful will require?
If you can answer, “Yes” to these questions with confidence and are ready to become the director of your future, I strongly encourage you to do what I did. Take a chance and strike out on your own.

Business Links
Small Business Administration
Job Accommodation Network
New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
SW Unlimited, LLC