SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Apis Services Inc•Philadelphia, PA

1h•$0 - $18

About The Position

The Small Business Development Specialist supports individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other significant disabilities in exploring, developing, launching, and sustaining self-employment and small-business opportunities. Working within RHD’s Technology-First Entrepreneurial Support Organization, the Specialist combines evidence-based employment practices with entrepreneurial development, business coaching, assistive technology, and community-based economic engagement to help individuals become business owners and active economic contributors. The Specialist helps translate each individual’s interests, talents, capabilities, and goals into commercially viable products, services, and business opportunities that promote economic participation and self-determination. The role provides individualized instruction, coaching, and hands-on technical assistance throughout entrepreneurial discovery, feasibility assessment, business planning, product and service development, market validation, business launch, customer acquisition, and ongoing business operations. This community-based position requires frequent travel and extensive engagement with local businesses, customers, entrepreneurs, vendors, economic-development organizations, and community partners. The Specialist must be comfortable working independently in diverse environments and supporting individuals in real-world business settings. Daily access to a reliable vehicle and the ability to drive routinely are essential. The position may also involve transporting individuals after applicable organizational requirements are met, providing personal care when required, and assisting with mobility-related equipment when trained.

Requirements

Experience in small-business development, entrepreneurship, business operations, marketing, sales, or workforce development is required.
Demonstrated ability to develop business plans, evaluate market opportunities, and support basic financial planning.
A valid driver’s license and daily access to a reliable, functional vehicle are required.
Willingness and ability to drive routinely and travel frequently throughout the assigned service region are required.
Must maintain a driving record meeting RHD standards and current vehicle registration and automobile insurance in accordance with organizational requirements.
Must satisfy additional RHD requirements before transporting individuals receiving services.
ACRE certification must be obtained within three months of hire; completion of the required training and certification process within the established timeframe is a condition of continued employment.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
Ability to establish professional relationships with individuals, families, businesses, and community partners.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in community-based environments.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other relevant business technology.
Commitment to teamwork, collaboration, continuous learning, and professional development.
Ability to perform community-based, office-based, and field-based work, including sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, twisting, climbing stairs, driving, and operating office, business, adaptive, and makerspace equipment.
Ability to assist individuals with mobility or personal-care needs when trained and required.
Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must comply with applicable organizational policies, OSHA requirements and guidelines, fire and safety procedures, fiscal and Human Resources policies, HIPAA and confidentiality standards, bloodborne-pathogen and Right-to-Know requirements, security policies, and other applicable safety practices.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Economics, Human Services, Rehabilitation, Education, or a related field; it is preferred but not required, and equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, entrepreneurial experience, and demonstrated competencies may be considered.
Experience supporting individuals with intellectual, developmental, or other significant disabilities.
Experience with customized employment, supported employment, or community-based vocational services.
Experience with e-commerce, digital marketing, technology-enabled businesses, or product development.
Experience providing personal care to individuals with disabilities, subject to program needs.
Current ACRE certification.
Additional credentials in small-business development, assistive technology, customized employment, or entrepreneurial support.

Responsibilities

Conduct person-centered entrepreneurial discovery to identify individuals’ interests, strengths, support needs, resources, and business goals.
Help individuals explore self-employment and small-business opportunities aligned with their capabilities and informed choices.
Translate interests and skills into viable products, services, and business concepts; assess barriers and identify accommodations, assistive technology, natural supports, and other resources.
Develop individualized entrepreneurial-development strategies and measurable goals.
Evaluate business ideas and support the development of business plans, operating strategies, budgets, financial projections, pricing, startup-cost estimates, revenue projections, and cash-flow understanding.
Guide individuals regarding business structures, registration, licenses, permits, insurance, and other applicable requirements, and connect them with business-development resources and professional services.
Identify and implement technology solutions that support independence, accessibility, productivity, and business efficiency.
Support assistive technology, accessible business practices, e-commerce, digital marketing, online sales, business software, digital platforms, and communication systems.
Provide instruction to help individuals operate technology-based or technology-supported businesses safely and effectively.
Support development, testing, refinement, and launch of products and services.
Assist with branding, merchandising, packaging, pricing, promotion, market research, customer discovery, competitive analysis, and market validation.
Help individuals develop customer-service, sales, order-fulfillment, and inventory-management practices; support participation in markets, community events, vendor opportunities, online marketplaces, and other sales channels.
Track business performance and help individuals adjust products, services, pricing, or marketing strategies.
Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, entrepreneurs, vendors, customers, economic-development organizations, and community partners.
Identify opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, business exposure, market access, and customer engagement; represent the program professionally and promote the economic inclusion of people with disabilities.
Develop natural supports and community connections that strengthen long-term business sustainability.
Apply Employment First, customized employment, and supported self-employment principles through individualized instruction and support.
Promote informed choice, self-determination, dignity, independence, and participation in the least restrictive and most integrated settings possible.
Coordinate with individuals, families, support teams, service providers, and community partners as appropriate; provide personal care when required.
Complete timely, accurate service documentation according to organizational, program, funding, and regulatory requirements.
Track individual progress, outcomes, business milestones, and support needs; maintain appropriate records of business activities, expenses, revenue, and program resources.
Protect confidential and sensitive information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
Participate in quality-improvement activities and program goals; use organizational resources responsibly and follow fiscal policies and procedures.
Travel frequently throughout the assigned service region to provide services in homes, businesses, community settings, marketplaces, and other locations.
Transport individuals when authorized and after satisfying applicable RHD requirements; assist individuals in safely accessing community-based business opportunities.
Support adaptive equipment, wheelchair lifts, gait belts, and other mobility-related resources when trained and required.
Maintain scheduling flexibility to meet individual, customer, community, and business needs.
Comply with applicable RHD and affiliate policies, regulations, safety standards, required training, supervision, and meeting expectations.
Perform other duties as needed and participate in cross-training and continued professional development.