---- Original Message ------
From: "Mary Ellen" <[log in to unmask]> (by way of David 
Andrews<[log in to unmask]>)
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] NFB/eBay Entrepreneurs Project
Date sent: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:05:35 -0600


On September 15, in a joint press release, the NFB and eBay 
announced
the NFB/eBay Entrepreneurs Program..



We are now seeking blind people who want to participate in this
innovative pilot program.





Business Start Up Pilot

The NFB/eBay Entrepreneur Project is looking for serious
entrepreneurs who want to create new eBay businesses or expand
existing businesses to include eBay selling.  We will offer 
successful
applicants intensive eBay training and connect them with 
successful
blind business people and other experts who will provide 
assistance
in specific areas, such as business planning, development, and
working with accessible accounting software.



Individuals chosen for the Business Start Up Pilot will take part 
in
an intensive training program at the NFB Jernigan Institute in
Baltimore.  They will receive transportation, lodging, training
classes, accessible training materials, and ongoing mentorship 
support.



If running your own eBay business appeals to you, please write us 
at
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask] and request 
an
Entrepreneur Program package.  Your letter of interest should 
include:
    * a resume describing your employment and education history, 
with
particular emphasis on entrepreneurial projects;
    * a brief description of the product or service you intend to
market using eBay; (Is this a completely new enterprise, or are 
you
intending to create an eBay outlet for a business that already 
exists?)
    * a basic budget outline.



Because this is a pilot program intended to demonstrate the 
viability
of eBay businesses run by blind individuals, we must select from
applicants those with the strongest plans and the greatest
willingness to mentor the blind people who will follow.





Training the Trainers



In order to provide opportunity to as many people as possible, we
will train interested blind people to be eBay certified education
specialists.  EBay Certified Education Specialists are people who 
buy
and sell on eBay themselves and want to create a business 
teaching
others how to do it.  The trainers we train will be equipped to 
teach
other blind people who use screen readers; they will also be
certified to teach the sighted.  With ninety-two million people
already using eBay and more joining the community every day, the
business opportunity for anyone who can teach them how to be more
effective is enormous!



The Certified Education Specialist training will consist of a 
program
that will take place at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, 
plus
follow-up individualized support and group teleconference 
training.
Those selected for the "Train the Trainers" program will receive
transportation, lodging, training classes, accessible training
materials, and ongoing mentorship support.



Is being an eBay Certified Education Specialist for you?



If you have a deep desire to be of service to others, an
entrepreneurial spirit, the aptitude to teach, and basic computer
literacy using screen readers, we want to hear from you.



Because selling on eBay has not been readily accessible to blind
people in the past, you will not need to have experience as an 
eBay
seller to take part in the first "Train the Trainers" class.  
However,
you will need to demonstrate success in buying and selling on 
eBay in
order to graduate and receive certification.



You will need some ability to use a screen reader to access web
sites, though it is not necessary to be a screen reader power 
user.



To apply to enter the "train the trainers" inaugural class, send 
a
letter to <mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]
explaining your background, qualifications (particularly your
entrepreneurial and/or teaching experience), and telling us why 
you
want to become an eBay Certified Education Specialist.



Testing the Waters



Even if you do not yet have a perfectly developed business plan, 
we
still want to hear from you.  As eBay trainers receive 
certification,
we will help connect you with them so that you can get started on 
the
path to running your own eBay business.

Contact <mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask] or 
phone

Mary Ellen Gabias, coordinator

NFB/eBay Entrepreneurs Project

(410) 878-2660 for further information or an application package.


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