Frequently Asked Questions
What services do you offer?
Reclaiming Employment is structured around go-at-your-own-pace online courses.
10 Weeks to a Business Plan: Our core offering, which includes 10 multi-lesson modules that guide learners to draft a business plan. This course also covers topics such as business networking and creating a sustainable vision and mission.
Elective Courses: Includes multi-module courses on topics like burnout, professional communication, managing time and tasks, and addressing questions about the first steps in conceptualizing a business. Many of these courses are also excerpted in the 10 Weeks to a Business Plan course.
All courses offer hands-on worksheets and examples of other people who have faced challenges in employment and started their own business.
Additionally, REcoach trained peer business coaches are available to support learners in their journey through the course.
What is REcoach peer business coaching?
REcoach is a manualized, peer-to-peer business coaching model. It is delivered by certified peer specialists who are trained in our 12 week curriculum, which is designed to support learners in accessing the 10 Weeks to a Business Plan course in order to complete their business plan.
REcoaches can be engaged for the entire 12 week curriculum, or for an abbreviated 6 week curriculum. Because the curriculum includes bi-weekly group meetings, the program starts at designated dates.
You can meet our REcoach team here.
If you are a peer specialist interested in getting trained in the REcoach model, please get in touch.
How can I get access to Reclaiming Employment for myself or people I support?
If you represent an agency, please get in touch to discuss working with us to tailor a program for people that use your services.
If you are a peer supporter or an individual looking to start a business, you can purchase a subscription to access our courses, engage one of our REcoaches, or get free access to our library of recorded events, and personal stories.
What makes you different?
Our startup resources were designed by people who have been there: Reclaiming Employment was designed using participatory action research. This means that not only were the offerings designed by staff and consultants with a range of personal experiences with workplace challenges and business ownership, but we also have data to show that it can improve your confidence and connection. Reclaiming Employment was evaluated using a randomized controlled trial, considered the “gold standard” in educational research.
What kinds of businesses do you work with?
Reclaiming Employment can work for any small businesses. We’ve designed the courses to focus on building skills for your personal journey to meet your definition of success, rather than specific industries.
In our most recent trial, about half were working on business plans in health care/social services or personal services. About 15% were in the field of training/education, and another 10% were working in arts, entertainment, or recreation. Many of the people who come to us want to start a business providing peer support services or life coaching.