The Journey of Disabled Entrepreneurs: Overcoming Challenges and Finding Success

Continuing the conversation from last week’s episode with Diego Mariscal about the lack of funding going to disabled entrepreneurs,  Marcia is joined by the inspiring Keely Cat-Wells to explore her own experiences in the world of entrepreneurship. Keely shares her personal journey of resilience and determination, from her dreams of becoming a professional dancer to starting a talent agency exclusively for representing disabled individuals. The episode dives into Keely's mission to provide equitable opportunities for disabled talent in the entertainment industry and her recent venture into creating a scalable solution to bridge the gap between underrepresented talent and meaningful employment.  Keely recounts her unexpected path to entrepreneurship, propelled by her own firsthand experiences with ableism and discrimination. From being dismissed by the medical system to facing exclusion in the workplace, Keely's determination to champion disabled talent fueled her journey. The episode showcases her groundbreaking work with C Talent, the talent agency she founded, and the subsequent acquisition that led her to venture into the tech space with Making Space.  As disabled individuals face barriers to traditional employment opportunities, Keely's venture, Making Space, empowers companies to access pre-qualified, underrepresented talent, while simultaneously addressing issues of recruitment, retention, and turnover. By leveraging technology and creating a Trojan horse effect, Keely is determined to ensure that diverse candidates, including disabled individuals from low-income communities, can secure and thrive in meaningful employment.Be prepared to be inspired and educated as Keely shares her experiences, triumphs, and powerful vision for a more accessible and equitable future. To get the latest from Keely Cat-Wells, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keelycatwells/Keely's website - https://keelycatwells.com/Making Space Media - https://makingspacemedia.com/C-Talent - https://www.whalar.com/c-talentDiego Mariscal's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-mariscal-6363787a/Watch Diego's GMA segment - https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/GMA3/video/organization-support-disabled-people-mentorship-101872639 Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood