“I was ready to call it quits. However, after venting at home and clearing my head, I opened this assignment. I don't know how you do it, but it seems your assignments give me much to seriously look at. I think I finally figured out business strategy and I think when I first came into this, that was my weakness. I failed to connect with a business strategy.”
- Viola L, soap maker
- Viola L, soap maker
“Wanted you to know but I've learned a lot from you! Thank you! I was in business for myself for almost 18 years. Never had a business plan, we just flew by the seat of our pants. But the business was primarily a service-oriented business with little cost of goods. So, when I've been filling out the weekly cost sheets, I'm realizing there's a lot more cost involved with each postcard, especially the inexpensive cards. Rethinking one of my strategies. “
- Barbara S, postcard reseller
- Barbara S, postcard reseller
"You have no idea how much working with you has boosted my confidence in moving forward in creating my ideal Vocation and Career."
- Hector D., public speaker
- Hector D., public speaker
"To me, Karen was like the bad step mother you wished your father would of never married. . . but now, you're stuck with her. . . I know she didn't like me because of all that she was putting me through. . . and I felt she wanted me to just run away from home . . . why would she keep putting me through all this over and over again. Why is she dumping so much on me? She wants me to quit. . . Doesn't she realize I have a life? I already know I can run a business without her help.
I have never been so wrong in my life. Sometimes in life you get what's called (tough love). The person giving it, in this case. . . (Karen Rankin Magee) intentions were filled with love and caring for what she does best. I was the kid that knew it all and knew more than Karen.
Many times I just wanted to throw in the towel, it wasn't worth it, but I stuck it out because I had already come this far and I was still unemployed with a disability.
It wasn't until I was almost at the end of the journey that I realized just how much more I knew compared to the year and a half before when I felt I knew it all.
I was talking to some people in the Villages about the food truck industries and someone made a comment. . . "Man, you sure know your stuff". . . what?? . . . Yes, I do!!!
Karen wasn't setting me up to run away. . . she was setting me up to succeed!!
If VR had just set me up with the business and let me go. . . there would have been so many mistakes made that it probably would have put me out of business and cost 1000 of dollars in the process. A failure to VR and to myself.
It was a long rough and bumpy road, but the outcome of knowledge I received going through all of the benchmarks has really been a blessing.
There is only so much you can Google on your own, but when there is that second set of eyes saying "you need to look at this, you need to do some more research on that. You need to just go out and see what going on at these other places. . . you need to go talk to them. . . things I would of never researched, things I would have never done. . . it would have been knowledge lost or if learned, it would of been through hard knocks.
From the bottom of my heart Karen (mom) . . . thanks so much for all you have done, and for putting up with me for this long. . . and a big shout out to VR for everything you have done for me as well and sticking by my side and making me work with Karen on my journey to self employment!!"
- Mark R. Ziggy's . . . A taste of Detroit
I have never been so wrong in my life. Sometimes in life you get what's called (tough love). The person giving it, in this case. . . (Karen Rankin Magee) intentions were filled with love and caring for what she does best. I was the kid that knew it all and knew more than Karen.
Many times I just wanted to throw in the towel, it wasn't worth it, but I stuck it out because I had already come this far and I was still unemployed with a disability.
It wasn't until I was almost at the end of the journey that I realized just how much more I knew compared to the year and a half before when I felt I knew it all.
I was talking to some people in the Villages about the food truck industries and someone made a comment. . . "Man, you sure know your stuff". . . what?? . . . Yes, I do!!!
Karen wasn't setting me up to run away. . . she was setting me up to succeed!!
If VR had just set me up with the business and let me go. . . there would have been so many mistakes made that it probably would have put me out of business and cost 1000 of dollars in the process. A failure to VR and to myself.
It was a long rough and bumpy road, but the outcome of knowledge I received going through all of the benchmarks has really been a blessing.
There is only so much you can Google on your own, but when there is that second set of eyes saying "you need to look at this, you need to do some more research on that. You need to just go out and see what going on at these other places. . . you need to go talk to them. . . things I would of never researched, things I would have never done. . . it would have been knowledge lost or if learned, it would of been through hard knocks.
From the bottom of my heart Karen (mom) . . . thanks so much for all you have done, and for putting up with me for this long. . . and a big shout out to VR for everything you have done for me as well and sticking by my side and making me work with Karen on my journey to self employment!!"
- Mark R. Ziggy's . . . A taste of Detroit
"Am in awe of your skills. To have the understanding and clarity to see what needs to be done and then the patience and spirit of helpfulness to help other people have that ability is an amazing gift. Maybe you don’t realize how few people can really assess another person’s strengths and weaknesses and guide them to a fuller realization of their potential. You have instilled so much hope and clarity into my world, that I believe I cannot fail. What you do have, Karen, is humility and humanity that keeps ego at bay. That speaks volumes for what you are capable of and has built trust in me that you are the real deal. I have found you to be quite articulate in expressing yourself and very effective in your style. That is a gift!!!!"
- Danise R., art and sign company
- Danise R., art and sign company
"I really appreciate all the help you've given me. You are a tremendous asset to individuals who are seeking self-employment."
- Julia M., bookkeeping
- Julia M., bookkeeping
"I consider myself gainfully employed and immensely appreciate VR's investment in me and my business. The support of both of you, Dan and Karen, guaranteed the growth of my business and instilled success and motivation in me when I had lost so much in the past and was derailed by my disability. I am not disabled by the disabilities I have, rather I am abled by the abilities I have. Thank you for inspiring me to achieve once again."
- John S., bookkeeping
- John S., bookkeeping
"I was able to continue my overall health recovery while building my business plan and launching my business. Step by step, the business and personal growth have developed. Now with my own business, I feel affirmed in having followed my deepest intuition, even with challenges and obstacles. I appreciate VR for the opportunity to receive financial aid towards medical expenses, specialized career training, plus technical and business support during this process. Perhaps the biggest lesson I've learned is that the human spirit's way to reinvent and manifest its dreams is powerful beyond imagining."
- Sylvia E., canine massage and pet sitting
- Sylvia E., canine massage and pet sitting
"Charlie's mother, was impressed with Mrs. Rankin-Magee's ability to allow Charlie to be in charge of his process, and also with her son's ability to hold his own in adult conversations. For her, the biggest "take-away" was that, with the CBTAC's coverage of all aspects of business, Charlie excelled not only at his photo shoots, but also at bookkeeping and at being part of professional associations. The whole process was very professionally done, the client was respected by all and Charlie's new confidence is very impressive."
- Charlie W., photography
- Charlie W., photography
"It feels awesome. My self-worth improved exponentially. I feel that I’m not just a drag to society. I have something to do every day. My experience was very positive. We had a rough start because I wanted to get it done quicker. I feel the fact that it did take so long was a benefit to me because it gave me more time to learn things I needed to learn about business. Like how much things really costs and how time consuming business is. I appreciate that it did take so long because it gave me a chance to learn the things I was lacking. Karen stayed on top of me and made me do stuff. If she hadn’t done that, my own ego would have stopped me from being successful."
- Mike N., food business sold at events and online
- Mike N., food business sold at events and online
"I feel great. I've accomplished some goals and dreams and have a lot more ahead of me. It's a long process, you can't give up and working hard pays off. Karen is a great person to work with who helped me out with everything, including taking my talents to the next level. I wouldn't be where I am without her. The business planning process opened my eyes to what sales I need to keep my business running, pay my bills, the overhead, the employees and make a profit."
- Ryan F., landscaping and lawn maintenance
- Ryan F., landscaping and lawn maintenance
"I know this process has taken a long time, but it’s been really good cognitive therapy for me . Because a lot that we do now, I would not have been able to handle or understand when we first started."
- Adam A, bicycle parts supplier and inventor
- Adam A, bicycle parts supplier and inventor
"Karen has been amazing. She emails me regularly to prompt action or to inquire about results. She has been amazing as a coach. I have so much more confidence that I will get to a place of having my ducks in a row with my schedule, my finances, my marketing and production. This has been an amazing journey and I’m deeply grateful. I am going to realize success financially and personally in my life and, while there are still many challenges, I believe more than ever in myself because of the help I’m getting from VR."
- Danise R., art and sign company
- Danise R., art and sign company
"The assignments are lengthy at times but after you complete them I feel educated and empowered to move forward with my goals."
- Hector D., public speaker
- Hector D., public speaker
"I would like to thank you, Karen Rankin-Magee of Self Employment Specialists, for all you have taught me in the process of establishing and succeeding in my own accounting, bookkeeping and bartering businesses. The knowledge and wisdom that you have imparted upon me has been a great help and support in this joint endeavor. I believe that my success is at least in part due to your sincere support and mentorship.
I want to express my deepest gratitude for believing in me. You have been an excellent friend, teacher, mentor and a wonderful inspiration for me. You have inspired me to pursue my goals with hard work and dedication. You have shown me the value of honesty, sincerity and trust in business.
I truly appreciate and value everything that I have learned from you. It will forever remain a major contributor behind my success and achievements. I really look forward to the day when I can pay it forward to help another apt pupil, apprentice entrepreneur. Thank you once again Karen for your time, support and patience."
- John S., accounting and bookkeeping
I want to express my deepest gratitude for believing in me. You have been an excellent friend, teacher, mentor and a wonderful inspiration for me. You have inspired me to pursue my goals with hard work and dedication. You have shown me the value of honesty, sincerity and trust in business.
I truly appreciate and value everything that I have learned from you. It will forever remain a major contributor behind my success and achievements. I really look forward to the day when I can pay it forward to help another apt pupil, apprentice entrepreneur. Thank you once again Karen for your time, support and patience."
- John S., accounting and bookkeeping
"Benchmark 4 is the most difficult of all of the benchmarks but the hard work and making sure you pay attention to the details are what makes putting the business plan together a much easier process with little revisions. Taking the time and answering Karen's questions on key points, I was able to make sure my details were accurate and justifiable to whoever sees this plan."
- Robin R, Tax Resolution
- Robin R, Tax Resolution