We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Beryl Hudson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Beryl, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I am extremely happy as a business owner. This is something that I have wanted to do my whole life. I am the definition of a true entrepeneur, in that I started several businesses before I found the place where I actually needed to be. I have worked for other business owners and always had the feeling that this was not the avenue for me. I am a true entrepeneur.. I worked for several years in the social security industry, and all the time I was working I knew that as soon as I learned enough to go out on my own I would do so. It has been difficult, especially starting out, however, the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives for me. I love working for myself, I feel as a business owner I give more than I would as an employee of another orgnization. Afte more than five years in business myself I can now see the overall benefits of operating my own business., and giving back to my community.

Beryl, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Beryl La Verne Hudson, and I am a Social Security Disability Advocate. I have been in business for myself since November 2016. As a disability advocate, I work to assist clients in getting their social security benefits due to illnesses, that create either physical and/or mental, limitations that prevent them from working full time. As a social security disability advocate, I am prepared to assist clients at whatever stage they are in the disability process. I started out working for a prominent disability attorney in the metro Atlanta area, by the name of Louis B Lusk. Under Mr. Lusk’s tutelage, I learned the disability process, from the initial stages, up to and including representing clients at hearing in getting their disability. The thing that I am most proud of is that I actually went out on my own, and established myself as a well-known disability advocate in metro Atlanta. What I want potential clients to know about me is that I am a customer service-based business. I strive to be an advocate for the people and my mission statement is, “I’m working for your disability benefits” because I truly try and put the client and their needs first.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I knew that I would need approximately $7-$10K to start my business. The initial capital I put together to start my business came from my ability to continue to work full-time for my previous employer, while I built my business part-time. I used funds from my paycheck bi-weekly to slowly purchase everything I would need as a start-up business owner. It took me over 3 years to gather enough capital to leave my prior employer and start out on my own, but I was determined to not have to borrow any money, or take out a loan to start up my business.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I remember how hard it was to go out on my own and be responsible for making enough money to take care of myself and my family. As a new business owner, it is hard to leave a well-paying job that you’ve had for many years, and know that you, and you alone are responsible for bringing in enough money to take care of your household. However, I persevered, and no matter what, I did not give up even when times were lean for my business. It took about three years to finally get to the point where I was secure financially in my business and knew that I could really make it a success. Never giving in, and never giving up became my mantra, and it is one I continue to live by both in business and in my personal life, and it has never failed me.

Contact Info:

• Website: blhdisability.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blhdisability/?modal=admin_todo_tour
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laverne-hudson-86b5806b/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/blhdisability

Image Credits
Perfect Image Photography, Danny Doctor