Meet with an Empower Navigator
Need a little support figuring out your next steps?
Our Navigator partners are independent professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to offer free, one-on-one support to Empower Collective members.
They're here to help you navigate the complexities of disability and self-employment, from small website technical glitches to understanding SSDI benefits and developing big-picture business strategy.
Book a free session below to get personalized guidance and practical support in one of the following areas:
Business Strategy
Business Operations
Tech Help
Websites
Marketing & Sales
Money & Funding
Navigating disability & pacing strategies
Is entrepreneurship right for me?
General Support - “I don’t know where to start”
Photo Credit: Justin Kaneps; All in Frame Collection
How it works
Select the navigator below that offers support in the area you would like help in.
Schedule a time that works for you on their calendar.
Each navigator manages their own calendar system. When you book with a navigator, you are leaving The Empower Network’s website and agree to the navigator’s privacy policy.
Meet with your navigator!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Navigator sessions are a free benefit for members of The Empower Collective.
If you’d like some individualized support in one of the areas listed, choose a navigator and sign up!
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Each Navigator has different skills and experience, from business strategy and technology to funding, operations, and disability-informed entrepreneurship. Bring a specific challenge or simply, “I don’t know where to start.”
No problem is too small, and no question is too big.
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Review the profiles and choose the person whose experience best matches what you need. You’re welcome to meet with different Navigators for different needs.
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No, navigator sessions are informal guidance and consultation sessions. Navigators can share their experience, help you think through options, point you toward resources, and help you identify possible next steps. Navigators do not provide legal, financial, medical, tax, or other licensed professional advice.
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This is informal mentorship and practical support. Your Navigator can help you think through a challenge, brainstorm options, troubleshoot, or connect you with resources and possible next steps. If you have a specific technical problem, like a broken website connection, we can troubleshoot that during the call.
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No. Navigators are independent professionals who volunteer their time and expertise through partnerships with The Empower Network. They represent their own businesses or organizations and are responsible for the services they provide.
Some Navigators may also serve in other roles within The Empower Network, but they are not acting as TEN employees or authorized representatives when providing independent Navigator services.
About navigator sessions:
Navigator sessions are free, informal consultations offered through The Empower Network's community partnerships. They're designed to help you explore options, work through challenges, and identify practical next steps.
When you book a session, you'll leave The Empower Network's website and be directed to the Navigator's independent scheduling system. Each Navigator manages their own appointments, services, and participant information.
These sessions are not sales calls, and there is no obligation or expectation to purchase additional services. Navigators represent their own businesses or organizations, and participation does not imply endorsement of their paid services by The Empower Network.
Stephanie Swanson
ICF Associate Certified Coach, Engineer, Project Manager
Skills & Support Offered:
Business Operations
Navigating disability & pacing strategies
Is entrepreneurship right for me?
General Support - “I don’t know where to start”
Technology troubleshooting
Workflow and Tech System Setup
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You have a big idea but aren't sure where to start or how to make it happen.
You're juggling too many ideas, priorities, or challenges and need help sorting through them.
You're trying to build or run a business around fluctuating health, energy, or other limitations.
You need help simplifying complicated problems into manageable next steps.
You're looking for ways to improve your systems, operations, or workflows.
You're preparing for public speaking, presentations, or communicating your ideas.
You're navigating a career transition or exploring new ways to work.
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Stephanie Swanson is a career coach for those with chronic illness & disabilities. With a background in engineering, project management, technology, and healthcare operations, she brings years of experience solving complex problems and building practical systems.
Now navigating her own disability due to Long COVID, Stephanie combines professional expertise with lived experience to help others simplify big ideas, navigate challenges, and build sustainable work that fits their lives.
Note: These navigator calls are for informational purposes only. There is no expectation to continue working with Stephanie Swanson Coaching after your scheduled navigator session.
If you would like to seek additional support, other ICF-certified coaches can be found on coachingfederation.org/
Terry Roberts
CEO, Lifeworx Employment Network
Skills & Support Offered:
Social Security Ticket to Work Program
SSDI / SSI benefits consultation
Adult Vocational Rehabilitation
Understanding employment options while receiving disability benefits
Benefits counseling and employment resources
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You're receiving disability benefits and want to explore opportunities to work.
You're worried about how earning income might affect your SSI, SSDI, or other benefits.
Someone recommended speaking with a benefits counselor, but you're not sure what that means or where to start.
You're interested in the Ticket to Work program or vocational rehabilitation services.
You're considering applying for disability benefits and need help identifying resources.
You're looking for creative employment options that accommodate your disability, health, or individual needs.
You need help understanding your next steps toward employment and greater financial independence.
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Terry Roberts is the CEO of Lifeworx, helping people with disabilities navigate employment, benefits, and vocational rehabilitation. With a diverse background in community services and business management, along with lived experience navigating chronic illness, dialysis, and a kidney transplant, Terry brings a practical, creative approach to helping others find meaningful work that fits their needs.
Note: Lifeworx is an independent partner of The Empower Network. These navigator calls are for informational purposes only. There is no expectation of continuing to work with Lifeworx after the consultation session. There are many options for Ticket to Work or Vocational Rehab supports available via the ChooseWork.ssa.gov website.
Coming Soon
Erik Velder
Technical & IT Support
Skills & Support Offered:
Software & Hardware selection
IT and Technical Support
Automations
Website Tech Support
Taylor Eubanks
Access to Capital & Funding Strategies
Skills & Support Offered:
Funding Strategies
Grants
Partnership Ideas
Business lending
Additional Resources
The following support services are free, are known to The Empower Network to be generally disability-informed, but do not represent official partnerships with The Empower Network
Geoff Meiteen - SCORE Mentor
Skills & Support Offered:
Business Plan
Cash Flow
Funding/Loans
Management & Operations
Product Development
Strategy Development
Work/Life Balance
Kansas City Public Library Small Business and Non-Profit Support
KCPL offers small business and nonprofit support with Hadiza Sa-Aadu, Small Business Engagement Specialist.
Clarifying a business idea
Creating a business plan
Finding funding prospects
Conducting research on Nonprofit funders and recipients
Conducting market and/or industry research
Figuring out how to make your business or non-profit legally sound