I have never been able to keep a job, ever. So if this is your experience too, you're gonna want to keep reading.
The longest time I have had a job was about 1 year, max. Being laid off, quitting, or outright fired was typical. And yeah, I know that’s not unique in today’s work culture. But the instability ate at me. Constantly wondering where my next paycheck would come from, dreading emails, feeling like I was always a few steps behind everyone around me. On top of that, being diagnosed with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and schizoaffective disorder made my career journey even harder. I would involuntarily replay every mistake I ever made, reliving it over and over, which made moving forward feel insurmountable.
Early 2023, I decided to study to become a UX Designer. After completing that course, my friend offered me a part time job doing web design for his tech business. It made me feel 'normal' to finally have a real career, even if it was only part time work.
I've always been on the creative side, so everyday was adventurous for me. But even in this job, I began to obsess over how I could be 'unique' in a pretty saturated industry. My urge to stand out in this field grew strong. One day after work, I was sitting on the couch wrecking my brain as usual. While scrolling Reddit, I discovered accessibility. I read about how many domestic and international regulations were aligning with it, and that there are financial benefits for people who can learn it. I informed my boss that I was very interested in going in this direction to improve my skills. He agreed that it was a skill that could also benefit the company’s goals, so I began studying to get certified with IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals). About 3 months later, I got certified!
I really enjoyed my time working as a UX designer but like clockwork - I got laid off again. It was really tough to be laid off by a friend, but in retrospect, it was a blessing in disguise. And also, this layoff was a bit different. I had skills, a certification, and I understood just enough about web design and accessibility to get by on my own. So I decided to build something with purpose that couldn’t ever lay me off, fire me, and feed my insecurities.
This happened back in 2023. Since then, I’ve built a profitable business selling accessibility-focused digital products.
I had no investors and no start-up capital. Just $0 and my lived experience. So let me tell you how I did it so you don’t have to learn everything from scratch like I did.
This blog may be a long one, and I value you taking the time to read about my journey; so for busy people who still want to take their first step toward ownership, I created an eBook to help you get from $0 to your first $1,000 in 1 month.
How I Started My Accessibility Digital Product Business With $0
Let's do a vibe check. For anyone who is unsure what digital products are, let me explain.
Digital products are anything that can be downloaded on the internet and consumed for use.
- eBooks
- PDF Downloads
- guides
- checklists
- videos
Now that's out the way, let's go back to when I created my first digital product that brought me my first sale.
When I first started preparing for the CPACC exam, I was overwhelmed.
The study materials were a long PDF. And I have memory issues that made it feel even more impossible to retain what I was reading. I needed a way to see and review the core concepts in a way that worked with my brain - not punish it.
So I did what I always do when I need to survive something hard: I got scrappy (after I obsessed about it).
I handwrote the core CPACC concepts onto notecards, and that system helped me pass my exam.
Reddit Validated My Idea (By Accident)
After I passed, I no longer needed the study cards (or so I thought). I casually posted on Reddit: “Would anyone else want my study cards for the CPACC exam?”
I expected one or two responses - maybe someone would say, “cool idea.”
Instead?
I was flooded with yeses.
People said they were struggling to study and would love a visual, simplified version.
Right then, I realized I had unintentionally validated a digital product.
The problem: I only had one deck of handwritten cards.
The solution: turn it into a digital product.
$0 Startup: Canva + Payhip + Hustle
I signed up for a free Canva account and started turning my handwritten cards into a clean, easy-to-understand digital flashcard deck.
Then I signed up for Payhip (a free storefront for digital products) and listed my product.
My first sale came in.
Then another. Then another. It was working!
Expanding Access for All Learning Styles
After hearing from buyers with different accessibility needs, I knew I had to go further.
- I created an audio version of the study cards for auditory learners
- I partnered with a print-on-demand (POD) service to offer physical cards delivered straight to my customers
- I made sure the decks were usable for people with memory disabilities, TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), blindness, and neurodivergence
This wasn’t just a product anymore — it was a tool for disabled professionals to succeed on an exam that was built with them in mind, but not always built for them.
Today, my CPACC study card deck has been recommended by the IAAP, and it’s helped people pass on the first try, even after failing before.
From Notecards to a Digital Product Business
That one product turned into more:
- I added checklists, guides, and audits to my Etsy shop and website.
- I built an audience on Facebook of disabled/accessibility professionals who I support with ADA-compliant resumes.
- And I built a business that lets me travel the world- while my products sell themselves in the background.
For real, Entrepreneurship Isn’t Easy (But It’s Worth It)
Now back to the topic at hand. None of this was a straight line. I’ve doubted myself more times than I can count.
There were nights I stayed up reformatting checklists over and over until I hated Canva. There were weeks I made $0.
But this path is less anxiety-inducing than waiting for another micromanaging and toxic boss to fire me.
It gives me flexibility. It lets me lead with accessibility.
Most importantly, it lets me say hell no to jobs that don’t value disabled entrepreneurs.
TL;DR: Here’s How I Did It
If you’re thinking of starting a digital product business, here's how I built mine with $0:
- Start with a real problem you solved for yourself
- Validate interest - even casually (Reddit, Facebook, wherever your people are)
- Turn it into a digital product using free tools (Canva + Payhip)
- Launch it messy. Improve as you go.
- Listen to your audience’s access needs and expand.
- Keep going. Even when it’s exhausting.
This is how I built a profitable, accessibility-centered business from a single deck of notecards.
And if I can do it with zero dollars and a whole lot of anxiety?
So can you, and here’s where you can start.
If I could start over again, here’s exactly what I would do.
This is a 7-day plan that’ll get you started faster, with fewer hiccups, and help you get to the money quicker. This is what I wish someone had handed me when I was still overwhelmed, broke, and reading Reddit post after Reddit post to find out how to start.
If you’re ready to jump in now, get the eBook Turn $0 into $1K: Build a Profitable Accessibility Business with Digital Products. Here is the shortened version for brevity:
Day 1: Create a Brand
Pick a name, a vibe, a mission. Doesn’t have to be perfect - just cohesive.
Day 2: Decide What You're Offering
What are you selling? A checklist? A guide? Templates? Choose a platform to sell it on (Payhip, Etsy, Podia, etc.).
Day 3: Generate Warm Leads
Start talking about it. No cold DMs. Just share your process, your story, and what you’re working on.
Day 4: Find Your First Customers
Ask your audience directly. Be specific. Tell them what you're offering and how it solves their problem.
Day 5: Get Paid and Set Boundaries
Set up payments, automate what you can, and decide how much access people get to you.
Day 6: Create a Repeatable System
Templates, processes, FAQs - create it once, use it forever.
Day 7: Market Like a Pro
You don’t need to be on every platform. Just show up consistently and confidently in one or two places. Add in helpful advice to the right conversation.
For anyone who wants the full breakdown - including templates, tools, and examples - I wrote an ebook that walks you through all 7 days in detail.
It’s Turn $0 into $1K: Build a Profitable Accessibility Business with Digital Products
This ebook teaches you several skills that will be critical to your success, and speed up your profit.
- Exactly what to sell and where to sell it (on a $0 budget)
- What kind of accessibility business fits YOU best
- How to build a brand from zero (even without showing your face)
- How to find customers and convert free offers into paid sales (even without skills or experience)
- How to grow without going viral
- The tech tools to automate and organize (without overwhelm)
- How to set boundaries, avoid burnout, and get paid fairly
- Created by a disabled founder who makes passive income from digital products every month
Thank you for reading about my entrepreneurship journey. I’m living proof that you don’t need a trust fund, perfect health, or be an expert to build something that works for you. I’m happier now because I carved out a path that feels like home - aligned with my purpose, my values, and my abilities. If you’re in accessibility, chasing a dream with little to no budget, or navigating life with a disability, know this: the door to freedom isn’t locked. You can build your own key. And if you’re ready to start, I’d love to show you how.
