CAN Entrepreneurship

 Responsibility: whereby consumers reclaim Consumer Action
their lives by understanding and giving
meaning to their experiences and develop- Network
ing strategies for promoting their wellness.
CAN
 Understanding and acknowledging your
individual strengths. Entrepreneurship

 Self-direction and exercising personal Initiative
choices.
CAN is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) or-
 Empowerment and ownership of life goals ganization established by
& activities so that consumers gain control
over their own destinies. This include consumers. CAN’s mission is to
learning to assess and manage life risks. empower mental health
consumers by promoting
 Involvement in meaningful social activities,
as defined by the consumer. recovery and self advocacy.

 Development of supports, such as key Consumer Action Network
support persons, activities, etc.
1300 L Street, NW, Suite 1000
 Illness-focused interactions Washington, DC 20005
 Stigma and discrimination
 Discouragement of decision-making and 202.842.0001 | 202.842.2685 (f)
E-mail: [email protected]
risk-taking or enablement negative patterns
 Inability to engage in holistic manner Website: www.can-dc.org or
 Paternalistic attitudes and questioning of find us on Facebook

dreams, goals, capacity
 Maintenance-oriented treatment rather

than recovery-oriented treatment

Among other traits, research shows that entre- The primary goal of Consumer Action Network’s (CAN) Entrepreneurship Initiative is to support
preneurs are: mental health consumers in the District of Columbia (DC) on the role of entrepreneurship as a
 Visionary, passionate, disciplined, creative recovery tool. Fundamental to our work is collaboration with key stakeholders including consumers,
 Dissatisfied with the status quo business and academic leaders, mental health policy/program developers, and others.
 Understanding of risk and managing risk
 Self-confident and -knowledgeable How CAN’s Entrepreneurship Initiative works for consumers:
 Goal-oriented and detail-oriented
 Financially savvy  Educate DC consumers on business development models from other parts of the country.

 Lack of mentorship/technical assistance  Work with DC’s Chamber of Commerce and BiDs to enable consumers to develop their business.
 Lack of a business plan
 Poor financial management skills  Work with the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and other program supporters to identify
 Fear of failure potential funders and promote goals.
 Time mismanagement
 Not staying on top of your game  Connect consumers’ proposals with the business community members for program support and
 No marketing strategy networking opportunities.
 Difficulty obtaining start-up
 Inform DC consumers on the value of pursuing goals as part of the mental health recovery process.
money/credit-worthiness issues
 Direct potential entrepreneurs to key literature and business development concepts that will aid in
the creation of successful business development.

 Help consumers access the DC Department of Mental Health’s supported employment programs

CAN works to enable mental health consumers to develop the individual supportive tools they need to
empower their self-recovery. If you have a business concept, a hobby you’d like to expand into a busi-
ness, or just need help with your current situation (housing, mental health, substance use), then contact
CAN today.

Consumer Action Network can be reached at 202-842-0001 or
via email at [email protected]