Joe Brown's Egg Round

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About Joe

My name is Joe Brown; and I have Aspergers Syndrome (a mild form of Autism). Only 15% of adults with my disability work but I am determined to be in that 15% and live independently. I started a business in July 2008, delivering Free-Range eggs to houses in my home town of Penwortham, using a pedestrian trolley. A year later I had 300 customers! I still use my pedestrian trolley but I'm now having driving lessons and hope to buy an electric delivery vehicle. All this seems a long way from being unemployed and living on Incapacity Benefit, which I was when I left college! This is my story...

How did I start?

I was diagnosed with Autism, a life-long brain disorder, when I was aged 3. I went to a school for Autistic children until I was aged 10 and then went to a mainstream secondary school where I had one-to one teaching support. Secondary school was not pleasant and I was physically and verbally bullied because of my disability. I left with 2 low grade GCSE's.

I went to Runshaw College in Leyland for 4 years, which was great, and had one-to-one support throughout. I left 12 months ago with a BTEC Diploma in Art - but no job.I had several interviews, but people with Aspergers Syndrome have great difficulty with conversations, so I got no offers.

The idea for my business came from David Woollam, a family friend and Shropshire poultry farmer. I had visited his farm several times and helped him pack eggs. He was confident that I could work and came up with the idea of selling eggs direct to houses in my home town. He has been my mentor throughout and even negotiated a good deal for me with a free-range egg producer close to my home who supplies my eggs weekly.

I think my business has made a good start, but it's not all been easy going. The winter months were particularly harsh. Despite wet weather gear, I regularly arrived home drenched and cold, with my delivery list in pieces as it was also drenched! I really must pass my test and get a delivery vehicle for next winter! I walk in my neighbourhood for at least four hours a day and often turn up on customers doorsteps looking like a drowned rat!

How am I doing?

When I started the Egg Round I had three main aims;

• to create an income for myself which was larger than I got on benefits
• to keep the business as simple, enjoyable and stress free as possible whilst providing a "feel-good" personal service for my customers
• to learn enough about banking, maths, conversation etc to be able to run the business independently.

I have achieved all three.

I do have an income which is bigger than I got on benefits. This means I can save up for holidays and even contribute to the house-keeping, which helps my mother.

My customers are lovely people (many retired) living within one mile of my home. I now feel like an active member of the community and lots of people know me and want my business to be a success. I got many Christmas cards from customers plus tips! I do provide a personal service with many customers contacting me by email... "Joe, can you bring us some duck eggs this week"... "I'm going on holiday so no deliveries until the 18th" etc.

I am still working on my conversation skills, but as I am open about having Aspergers Syndrome my customers are tolerant if I don't appear to be very sociable.

I have had 3 articles in the Lancashire Evening Post, plus a couple of other publications - see below.

DWP have also sought permission to use my business as a Good News story as and when required by Ministers. I said "Yes" of course!

How is the future looking?

The future looks bright:

I am selling a high quality, locally produced, inexpensive, free-range product. My customers' get a highly nutritious food product and the business seems to be recession proof.

I have very little waste (cardboard which is recycled) and no carbon emissions.

Running my own business has boosted my confidence and self esteem. I know I am providing a service that my neighbourhood wants. I win a few new customers every week and have lost very few in the last 10 months... about six who have moved house.

In the News

Forward (South Ribble) - Winter 2009/2010 Edition

Joe egg-sells at business

Lancashire Evening Post - October 2009

Egg man Joe lands top prize

Lancashire Evening Post - August 2009

Young Joe sets up own Egg Delivery Business

Lancashire Evening Post - August 2008

Joe has the Egg Business Cracked