I am a domestic violence counsellor and advocate - ask me anything

Part of our "program" ( I don't like that word but I haven't been able to find one I like better) is figuring out what skills a person already has or would be easy enough o learn the they can readily adapt into a business. At least the first year we work with people everyone is a independent contractor (done intentionally so no assets are created in the case of divorce) and in that time period we help people build their business. We teach how to run marketing campaigns, we get all the backend stuff set up (payroll/scheduling software/business phone number/website), we do the general setup so that once we are done, everything can run smoothly. As far as what kind of business we have about a dozen different broad categories we start with and, unless someone does have a unique skill thy really want to pursue, 90% of those we work with fall into one of those.

Very few people are just "not equipped" to run a small business. It's just about finding something that can actually be profitable. Our program is *not* an instant money maker. We do have finacial aid, but it is limited. Our goals are safety, DV education, and long term independence and health.

In general, I would say we tend to be heavily involved in the first year after a person leaves (or as they are leaving) with either business development and, quite frankly, basic support. Part of our program is at a minimum weekly phone counseling sessions about nothing other than recovery. No business at all. The after that the support and involvement tends to tapper off. Usually we have minimal to no involvement after 2.5 to 3 years.

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