Struggling to structure my business to accommodate my situation

[KatyMac]

Not really about specifics; but so about the social model of disability

The things I cant do because of other people's expectations of me and my capabilities

The way I work, to allow for my pacing and ability & the frustration

When i send an access statement & get blanked

How do people deal with it? Any hints or tips or ways of explaining

No-one?

I'm not sure anyone can answer without a bit more detail. Am I right in understanding you run your own business? Are people asking too much of you?

Sorry there's not enough detail here. Can you give us more detail? It would help if you could outline:

1 The situation (an example for context?)

2 Your line of business or a similar one (are you product based? Service based? Royalty-based?)

3 What specifically you're trying to restructure (order fulfilment? Email timescales? The way clients contact you?) and, if you're not sure what aspect you're trying to restructure, can you at least tell us what problems it's causing for you/your clients.

What do you mean by "send an access statement?" Is this something you need to access or something the client needs?

Do you mean by 'access statement' where the company may need to add to or change the ingress/egress to their building for you?
What is your business?

I'm a designer maker and I sell at markets & festivals

My set up isn't a traditional pitch as I need more space because of my limitations

When I apply for a pitch I send an access statement and 2/3rds of the time never hear back but when I do get a response it's normally positive

I think I'm just feeling the emotional weight of it all at the moment

I've made the decision not to work winters (Nov-Feb) after my last event this month & to not even try to do indoors because I can't carry my stock any distance - it doesn't really sell well online although I am taking some professional advise on photography/staging and social media

I'm not sure if I'm looking for specific advise or more "have people out there made thier business work despite health issues"?

If the markets and fairs are for the public, surely they must be fully accessible to run?

Specifics

I need more space as I transport my stock differently

I need to drive to my pitch not park 2/300 yards away and carry it

I'd like to be reasonably near a loo

I cant set up and clear away in an hour

I try to be clear and upfront in the differences I need

Some organisers are marvellous - but I'm feeling a bit crap about it all right now

Do you mean, for example, a standard sized stall doesn't work for you because you need room to manoeuvre a wheelchair around it but market's won't provide a different stall size.

I store and transport my stock in a small caravan - its easier and more accessible than a trailer

I position the caravan at the back (or side) of the gazebo - it's vintage so it's quite pretty; I'm trying to get a smaller gazebo/awning but I'm struggling to find one that works

I dont think I can work in the winter as being outside in the cold takes up too much energy (spoons) and I spend days recovering (& therefore not designing and making)

I know I can't carry my stuff more than a very few yards so being inside is a nonstarter

But really the post was about the struggle to be self employed with a disability/additional needs

The restructuring is happening book an event for next year with no problem at all with a new organiser who said how nice it was I was upfront right at the start so I didn't spring it on her afterwards

Festivals would be more likely to accommodate those requirements than a street market which often have limited time to set up/take down stalls themselves, or indoor ones that have fixed pitches (which wouldn't meet any of those requirements IME, unfortunately, and it sadly looks like you've already tried that without success).

The easiest workaround would be to find another way of selling the products. Hiring an assistant who can run the stalls for you or help on the day, or getting someone else to stock/sell the product for you. If selling at a pop-up stall is a challenge for you, I really wouldn't put yourself through it - I'm not surprised you are frustrated with it already. I would be too. I hope you can find a solution.

Cross-posted with you there - I used to work somewhere with a street market outside two days a week. At one time the Council used to put the stalls up (and collect them in VERY quickly at the end!) but now - like you - traders have to put up their own stall. Which is another thing to transport around with you/get out/put away, it's not easy.

Yes for the big festivals I've booked I have swopped my 'spare' ticket for next year for setup/packdown help and that really helps - plus it costs nothing

I know I need to change more but it takes time; moving to commissions also helps - but I worked Saturday and I'm not out of bed yet! Which is ridiculous

2/3/4 day events are much better as the physical effort is separate

Some venues allow me to set up the day before which is fab too

Is your business viable if you don’t sell during winter?

Not sure yet - I mean I have commissions booked until mid January - I don't want to book too far in advance really

But I'm 3 days post event and I'm not out of bed yet so working winters isn't sustainable

What is it you make/sell? Is it seasonal? Just thinking as there are countless winter fairs on in my area. I'm presuming is something arts/crafts. Could you not employ someone else to help run/set up?

I think I am too early in my business to do that

Although I started in Sept 19, there has been many months I haven't worked I think my total is still less than 2 years

It's not seasonal, at least I don't think so, I make clothes and costumes from upcycled curtains, tablecloths and bedding