• DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell
• Self-employment with Tim Small, Rehabilitation Consultant, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
• Interview with Michael Tayman, Owner of Vacationland Moving, LLC
• Interview with Elizabeth Woodward, Owner of the Smokin Red Caboose
• In Memory of James Levier

DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell

March 22^nd is National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day. I would like to take this time to show appreciation to our VRC’s and Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf (RCD). We appreciate all you do.

The question for this issue is, what is an RCD? 

An RCD is a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf that works with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing population. It is the same as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, with the only difference being that RCD’s tend to specialize in Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients.

What does an RCD/VRC do?

An RCD works with Deaf, hard of-hearing, or Deaf blind clients to obtain and or maintain employment. They also work with clients to overcome barriers for Deaf/hard of hearing/Deaf blind. They work on connecting clients with resources that would allow them to advance in their careers or employment. Some RCD’s work with both transition students and adults, some only with adults and some only with transition students to prepare for college or work.

For more information about Vocational Rehabilitation here in Maine, visit this link, https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr/vr.shtml 

2023 Deaf Annual Tea Awards Nominations 

Have you ever noticed someone contributing to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and felt that they deserved recognition?

If so, you can start by making nominations now for the 2023 Deaf Culture Tea Awards. Below is the link to the nomination form with an explanation of each award. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Terry Morrell at terry.l.morrell@maine.gov  or Sitara Sheikh at sitara.n.sheikh@maine.gov.

https://www.maine.gov/rehab/advisory_councils/dod/minutes/index.shtml           

2022 Deaf Tea link:

https://youtu.be/MqcV4ucHQqE

Also, in this issue, we are pleased to share interviews with two Deaf owned businesses here in Maine. Michael Tayman, owner of Vacationland Moving, LLC and Elizabeth Woodward, owner of the Smokin Red Caboose food truck.

Self-employment with Tim Small, Rehabilitation Consultant, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

What is self-employment?

Self-employment is when you own and operate a business rather than work for an employer. An individual may produce a product or service that they sell to others in order to gain income.

What are the benefits of working with VR?

VR can benefit clients in a number of ways when looking at self-employment. Working with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), a client would complete the Self-Employment Orientation to assist them in thinking about the ins and outs of owning and operating your own business. Self-employment may offer an increase in flexibility in scheduling work hours, direct control over work environment, reduce environmental barriers such as transportation and can address other barriers that an individual may face. Clients would work with a VRC on completing startup business questionnaires to gain a better understanding of their business ideas, what it is like to operate a business and what type of skills they may need to be successful. Clients would work with a VRC to start developing a business plan and would be referred to the Small Business Development Center to coordinate with one of their Business Advisors to complete the plan.

For individuals who are receiving Social Security Income/Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI), our recommendation would be to meet with a Benefits Coordinator to discuss which type of business set up would be the most beneficial and how their benefits may be affected by business income.

Individuals who are interested in owning their own business need to consider the skills that they have such as bookkeeping, organization, time management, social skills, and money management.

Things to consider if you are thinking about starting and owning your own business.

• Hobbies vs. Business. Hobbies are those things we do for enjoyment that are not necessarily done for profit and may not transfer into a successful business.
• Business owners may have a high level of public interaction such as selling, marketing, ordering, delivering products/services and handling customers.
• Business owners may spend a lot of time and energy getting the business up and running and not making a profit like one would if you worked were an employee for a business.
• Individuals thinking about starting a business need to have a solid understanding of their credit and expenses and may have to potentially borrow money to get the business up and running.

For more information contact:

Timothy Small
He, Him, His
Rehabilitation Consultant
45 Commerce Drive
Augusta, ME 04330

207-530-2563
Timothy.E.Small@Maine.gov

Interview with Michael Tayman, Owner of Vacationland Moving, LLC

Pictured: Mike Tayman

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in lovely Portland, Maine. 

Have you always lived in Maine? 

I have always lived in Maine from birth through high school. After graduating from Portland High School, I moved to Rochester, New York to study at Rochester Institute of Technology. After earning my Bachelor of Arts degree, I relocated to New Jersey and started my own moving company. After living and working in New Jersey for 10 years, I decided to move back home to Maine.

Where do you work?

I am the owner of Vacationland Moving LLC. We are a household moving company based out of Poland, Maine.

What do you do? 

We provide household moving, delivery, and removal services in Maine and beyond. 

How did you get your business started? 

A combination of hard work, research, and saving money are the three major fundamentals of how I started my business. 

What are some of your successes?

That is a good question as I don’t believe that I have achieved success yet at this point in my life. However, some of my personal achievements stem from leading a healthy life, always trying to improve myself, renovating my home, and maintaining a 5-star business. 

What are some of your challenges?

My biggest challenge is obviously not being able to speak with customers over the phone. I am not keen on using the relay service or videophone when conversing with customers because the dialogue simply takes too long. Most customers who call are already under a lot of stress and need quick answers. And for that reason, I have hired a hearing person to handle the phone calls. Another challenge is being able to lipread customers when they are giving tours of their homes. I try to take advantage of voice-to-text apps, when necessary, but it is often difficult to observe customers’ inventory while looking at the phone. Also, most of the voice-to-text apps that I have experienced do have some sort of delay in transmitting messages which causes me to miss out on some instructions. With all, I have learned not to be afraid to ask customers to repeat their messages by either texting on the phone or writing on a pad of paper. They will be happy to know that you care to understand what is going on with their move. 

How do you recruit staff?

Indeed.com, Craigslist, our website, work-related events, and word-of-mouth are some of the ways we recruit staff. 

What type of jobs/positions do you have available? 

We are always looking for packers and movers who would like to join our team. If interested, feel free to stop by our office in Poland to apply! 

What advice do you have for other Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who may want to start a business? 

Start your business on a small scale. Be patient and don’t quickly grow your business in a way that it would diminish quality. It is of paramount importance to provide excellent customer service. And always strive for perfection in all aspects of the business. 

Is there anything else that you would like to share? 

I would like to say that anyone can set up a business if you have the right mindset. With business, comes risks. With risks, comes failures. If you are unable to bear the risks of failure, then you will never be able to learn from your mistakes to achieve greatness. 

Michael Tayman
Email: relocate@vacationlandmoving.com
1484 Maine Street, Unit 1, Poland, ME 04274
207-707-MOVE (6683) (Text/Voice)
https://www.vacationlandmoving.com

Interview with Elizabeth Woodward, Owner of the Smokin Red Caboose

Pictured: The Smokin Hot Red Cabbose

Have you always lived in Maine? 

My family and I moved to Maine from Colorado three years ago. We now live in the small central Maine town of Anson.

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Germany. My family moved to the Columbia, Missouri when I was 6 months old. I was born hearing; however, became deaf at the age of 9 months from meningitis and was hospitalized for three weeks. I attended the Missouri School for the Deaf. As an adult I moved to Colorado to enjoy nature and raise three children. My family moved to Florida for two years and eventually we went back to Colorado and added two children to our family. My family then moved to Maine to be closer to the ski areas because my family loves skiing. My husband and I have five children, all hearing and I am a full-time mom.

Where do you work? 

Currently, I am a full-time mom; however, in the Spring we will open our food truck again, the Smokin Red Caboose. Last year was our first year in business and we worked at the Deaf Culture Festival in Falmouth, 4 Directions Intertribal Pow Wow in Dixfield, where my family, especially my children, enjoyed learning about their cultures, United Maine Craftsmen Fall Festival in Gorham and a music festival featuring “The Land” in North Anson before we closed for the season. We sold smoked chicken, pork, tacos and barbecue sandwiches and it went very well. Next year we are hopeful to go to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) event and we are hopeful to keep the food truck open all winter next year if the business is good.

What do you do? 

I do the cooking on the food truck. Next year I would like to add healthier choices to the menu of the truck.

How did you get your business started?

I used to work at a restaurant, and I really enjoyed that work and I've always been fascinated with food trucks. I joined a food truck group on Facebook, and it sparked my interest. We decided to buy a food concession truck from my cousin in Missouri and brought it to Maine in November of 2021 and opened it in July 2022.

Our business was successful last summer, and this summer we are hoping to add healthier features, such as plant-based vegan options. I am a vegetarian and have learned a lot about healthier food choices and would someday like to have our own little café. 

What are some of your successes?  

Having a successful first season and feeding people healthy foods. Customers came back for our tacos! We are proud to support local farmers and we’re trying to be all organic.

What are some of your challenges?

Sometimes communication is a challenge; however, we are making it work.

It can be challenging to make several trips to farms to find the organic ingredients needed to make the healthiest dishes and of course the price of fuel for the mobile food truck is challenging.

It can be challenging to ensure customers safety in the case of food allergies.

It can be challenging to balance the amount of food to the customers. Everyday can be different.

How do you recruit employees?

We do not have any employees yet. We are hopeful to have a small (physical) café when our business grows and then employ staff.

What advice do you have for other Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who may want to start a business?  

If you are a Vocational Rehabilitation client, ask for assistance from your counselor and take financial classes.

The best way is to start small and see if customers love it, then go for bigger!

Is there anything else you would like to share?  

I would like to encourage Deaf individuals to consider operating their own businesses. I want to see more Deaf owners be successful. Having Deaf friendly businesses is beneficial for everyone.

We all need to be knowledgeable of healthy and self-care foods for ourselves and the environment.

Contact information: 

Elizabeth Woodard
Smokin Red Caboose on Facebook, message me anytime.
719-966-2328 (Text)
Anson, Maine

In Memory of James Levier

Pictured: James Levier memorial granite bench on Mackworth Island.

In Memory of James Levier

June 23, 1940–March 16, 2001

You are missed. Rest in peace James.

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