Venture Concept No. 1 - All Embrace Enrichment Center

Opportunity

·       The special needs population has grown immensely.  Rather from population growth or due to other forces not explained, the current statistics indicate that 1 out of every 7 children has some form of developmental disability.  With this increase comes the need for additional therapies that take time away from the child, parent or sibling from doing other activities.   

·       This affects the entire family ranging in ages but most specifically the special needs child who does not have additional opportunities to participate in interesting programs that are adapted to their abilities.  Specifically for the northwestern Hillsborough County area

·       The need is to have a center that provides services and additional activities for the special needs individual from 5 years of age through adulthood where the siblings and parents are able to participate and reducing waiting time with active time.  The center would be open for any race, gender and age within northwestern Hillsborough County.

·       Currently the parent, special needs child and sibling will travel 15-30 miles multiple times a week to receive multiple therapies that are on average 1-3 hours in length.  The parents/children are loyal to this method if the services are to their liking. Most therapists provide services at multiple locations/facilities so the parents could be willing to follow a favorite therapist or change to one just as good if other needs are met as well.

·       The missed opportunity to provide a service that better suites this segment of the market has been growing and more families are affected than you may realize. 

·       The window of opportunity is growing with each new diagnosis until science is able to prevent or reverse  

Innovation

For individuals with special needs we will offer therapies as partnered with registered professionals for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy at a facility that has space for additional creative arts classes and life skills training. 

o   ABA therapy will be charged at a rate of approximately $125/hr that can be charged through insurance. 

o   The creative arts classes will be available at different times throughout the week, depending on the availability of instructors partnering with the center.  The classes will range in price on the type of activity and can range from $15/class to $25/class. Music, art, yoga,  These classes will be adapted and inclusive of all individuals

o   Vocational training will be provided with partnerships within the community.  Vocational training will take place during the work week in the morning hours, 9am-12pm and will run in 12 week intervals.  The intent is for the partnerships to cover these services and to provide opportunities to employ those who have worked through the program. 

o   Life skills enrichment focused on age and ability.  Working with the therapists we will create a weekly theme.

For family members attending with the special needs individual, the center will also offer:

o   The creative arts classes for the same fees between $15-25/class

o   A gathering area with a reading nook, homework center

Partner with service organizations who need to earn volunteer hours.  These volunteers will be used to assist in the classes and possibly help the special needs individuals work through their life skills activities.  Encouraging their special needs friends

Venture Concept

The center will solve the problem of family members waiting at therapies with no outlet or activities that could replace that time as well as providing adaptive classes, vocational training and life enrichment opportunities. 

The customers would switch to this new offering because it satisfies the needs of the entire family.  The hardest part about getting the customers to switch will be letting them know it is available.

The existing individual therapy services and independent programs would be the competition.  Their weakness would be that they do not offer adaptive classes to be inclusive.

This concept revolves around the customer experience.  Providing an enhanced experience the whole family can participate in.  Capitalizing on the down time which expands the market and increases revenue.  I believe they would all buy into this concept and choose my solution as it saves time and there are not many other options in the Northwestern portion of Hillsborough County. 

Utilizing volunteers and partnering with instructors means that the employee would be a minimum.  Someone at the center as a contact person and to organize therapies, events and schedules.

Three minor elements

1.  Secret Sauce – My most important resource will be my connections within the community.  Most of the parents who are in this situation find options through word of mouth and recommendations.  Relying on this network can get the word out to the people who would utilize the service. 

2. What’s next - would be to expand on the concept and include a café to provide refreshments and employ higher functioning individuals to give them work experience.  Also organizing parent support groups where they could gather in a place that is accepting and is there to support them in their journey.

3.  This venture would be a life’s accomplishment and one I could leave for my children to carry on.  My two oldest daughters are active within the special needs community and this would be a venture they could get behind and support along with their sister.  I would love to this up and running and providing a great service that is looked at in a positive and fulfilling way.