Business Enterprise Program Success Stories
Meet Carol Roe: A Business Enterprise Program Success Story
With a warm smile and a contagious laugh, Carol Roe has come a long way from being the self-described timid person who never knew what she wanted to do with her life when she was younger. Today, Carol is a successful business woman who currently operates the Snack Shop and vending services in the Indiana Government Center (IGC) South building.
Carol was licensed to operate a food service business in 1990 through the Business Enterprise Program operated by FSSA’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR). The BEP is a training program where business operators with vision impairments are trained and licensed under the federal Randolph Sheppard Act.
With no classes offered in Indiana at the time, Carol bravely travelled to Chicago. Alone in a big city for seven and a half months, Carol nearly gave up just weeks from completion because she was mugged on the subway. With her trainer’s encouragement, she not only finished the course but has gone on to help train others since the program began being offered in Indianapolis.
“BEP has changed my whole life, and not just monetarily,” said Carol. “It took a very shy person and made her into a very independent business woman.”
Carol operated businesses in several locations prior to landing in the IGC-South. During Governor Daniels’ administration she operated the snack bar at the Indiana Statehouse and made quite an impression. When her snack bar was remodeled, the Governor himself participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony. Later, when Carol left the Statehouse to open another location, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor presented her with an award for her years of service.
When asked to share the secret of her success, Carol again flashed her trademark smile and said, “I think it is important to be business-minded and professional at all times. My customers never know when I’m grumpy. There are days when I get a bit tired, but I still love it!”
Meet Brian Christian: A Business Enterprise Program Success Story
Prior to the Business Enterprise Program I worked for a national firm as a land surveyor. Approximately six years ago I lost significant amounts of my vision. Due to my occupation and my symptoms, doctors initially thought I had contracted Lyme disease. However, after extensive testing, I was diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). I was now unable to work or perform many daily activities I had once taken for granted.
About a year into my vision loss, I attended Vision Rehabilitation and eventually returned to college, while awaiting the opportunity for a seat in the BEP Training Class. I completed my BEP training in May of 2013. Currently, I am the licensed manager of the Fly By Café, a small café and vending facility operating within the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center.
Business Model to Live By: Being successful at owning your own business isn’t a sprint race, it’s a marathon.
Biggest Success on the job: I believe my success is based solely upon our customers’ satisfaction. At my particular site, I am dependent upon repeat customers. Without them, I wouldn’t have a business. Job success can be looked at in many ways. For example, numbers, dollars, profits—to name just a few. For me, success is when I have done my job to the best of my ability and have attained customer satisfaction. My repeat customers are my biggest success.
Other Info: I’m 40 years old and I foresee myself working another 30-40 years. I’m thankful to have been given the opportunity to return to work within the Randolph Sheppard Act- Business Enterprise Program. This program allows me to grow - not just as a business owner and entrepreneur, but really as a father and a husband. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to be independent and provide for my family again.