We had the good fortune of connecting with Meegan Winters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meegan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 2011, I had an idea and dream that I knew could have a huge impact on the world. It remained just an idea for many years while I continued my stable career as a special education teacher and later an Assistant Principal. In 2015 one of my best friends, Jessica, passed away. Jessica had Muscular Dystrophy and used a power wheelchair to navigate life. She and I lived together in college and during that time I learned so much about the challenges many people with disabilities face. Jessica’s passing was the event that finally pushed me to pursue my dream of creating a company and tool that would help people with physical and invisible disabilities. In 2017, I left my career in education to become an entrepreneur and chase my dream of making an impact on the world. Able Eyes, our original company is a virtual tour photography company creating virtual tours for the purpose of accessibility, marketing, and recruitment. Since then, the idea has evolved into our new company, AbleVu, which is most easily described as the YELP of accessibility information.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Entrepreneurship is definitely not easy! Coming from a background of education, I had very little knowledge of how to start or run a business. Early on, most of my learning came from Google, podcasts, and YouTube videos…learning as I ran into challenges. Later in the evolution of the company, I was able to invest in business coaching and programs that have helped me develop the skills necessary to build and grow. If I have had two lessons that exceed all others, it has been to listen to my heart and go with the flow. Sometimes my logical mind will tell me that something is “too risky,” “too scary” or “too expensive,” but I’ve learned that trusting my gut is almost always the right choice. I strive to live in “faith” versus “fear.”

The mission of Able Eyes and AbleVu is to create more opportunities for people of varying abilities to live and explore the world by having adequate information prior to physically visiting. AbleVu (www.AbleVu.com) is an accessibility information search platform that is free to explore, finding businesses that are sharing information to help visitors with both physical and invisible disabilities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a native resident of Lansing, Michigan, and having traveled to many places over the years, I can say with certainty that Lansing is one of the most inclusive cities in the country. Many of the Lansing attractions have Able Eyes virtual tours and have AbleVu profiles to make it easier for visitors of varying abilities to visit. In addition to information sharing, many attractions have worked with the Mid-Michigan Autism Association to host events specifically for visitors with disabilities. Below is a list of only a few of the attractions (and a couple of their accommodations) that make Lansing an amazing and inclusive city to live in and visit.

Wharton Center (performing arts): Sensory inclusive shows, virtual tour, sensory backpacks, accessible seating options

Potter Park Zoo: sensory-friendly hours/events, virtual tour, AbleVu profile, braille books, communication boards, sensory backpacks

Impression 5 Science Center: virtual tour, AbleVu profile, sensory maps, sensory backpacks, sensory rooms, wheelchair-accessible tables, and activities

Lugnuts Stadium: Sensory-friendly events, sensory backpacks, virtual tour

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friend Jessica, who passed away in 2015, gives me the courage to keep going every day! Her strength when she was here on earth inspires me to keep going and never give up. What I have created is in honor of Jessica and believe she is always with me on the journey to making the world a better place.

Website: www.AbleVu.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goablevu/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ableeyes/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoAbleVu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoAbleVu/

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