But for Launceston’s Nate Cripps who was born deaf, professional opportunities were often few and far between. 

After spending his entire working life as a house keeper, Mr Cripps decided it was time for a change. 

With the support of his partner Warren Flannigan, in February Mr Cripps opened Tweetie L’amour Pet Emporium at Invermay. 

Mr Cripps is now proudly Tasmania’s first profoundly deaf person to open and run his own business – something he is incredibly proud of.

“For me, I had been cleaning for 14 years and I was just sick of it,” he said. 

“I hated it and I always knew I was destined to do more. 

“There is nothing wrong with the profession, it just isn’t for me. 

“There are not many employment opportunities for people who are deaf – I want to change that. 

“Because for a really longtime I thought that cleaning was the only option for me, because I just didn’t get any other opportunities.”

“I spent a long time trying to work out what I wanted to do with my life and after an in-depth conversation with Warren, we decided it was time for a change. 

“Really I knew at the end of the day, what I really wanted was to start my own business.”

With a love of animals, the idea of opening his own pet store was something Mr Cripps had always dreamed of. 

To “test the waters” he decided to open a stall at the weekly Launceston Esk Markets.

After receiving nothing but positive feedback from customers, he said he felt empowered to take the next steps towards opening his own store. 

“There was so much interest in what I was doing,” he said.

“Really, it was customers telling me I should think about opening a store.

“People were just so supportive and encouraging.”

Mr Cripps said a bit of fate and luck brought a vacant site on Invermay Road into his life. 

“The owner was so lovely and agreed to let me rent the space for free, until we got our feet off the ground,” he said. 

“It was always going to be a big risk for us financially, but I had my heart set on it.”

SpecialiSing in bird and pet products, Mr Cripps said Tweetie L’amour was a dream come true for him.

But, he also wanted to use his new employment platform to help others in their professional development. 

Recently the business partnered with Oak Tasmania Training and Development to offer employment opportunities for people living with a disability.

Tweetie L’amour currently has four trainees, who all work varying shifts at the store five days a week. 

From customer service, answering phones to stock taking, the trainees are responsible for a wide range of services. 

Oak Tasmania Launceston team leader Eleanor Kramer said the transition to work program was already making a big impact. 

“I think what Nate is doing is just brilliant,” she said. 

“Not only has he created an opportunity for himself, but he is also offering opportunities to other people with disabilities. 

“It is a relatively new service, but we are already seeing the results.

“I wanted our clients to have real work opportunities and this is the real deal for them. 

“They wear a uniform, they have to be well presented.

“They get up everyday knowing they have to go to work and knowing they are serving a purpose. 

“They are learning great skills and it is giving them a real sense of ownership and self worth.”

Nate’s partner Warren Flannigan has worked as a carer and support worker for more than 30 years.

Mr Flannigan said he had seen first-hand the limited job opportunities for people living with a disability. 

“One of the main reasons for opening the store was to give others the employment opportunities that Nate never had growing up,” he said. 

“We know from personal experience how hard it can be to get employment, or even just experience.

“I just don’t think people realise how much value people with a disability can bring to the workforce.

“We have received nothing but positive feedback from our customers.”

Ms Kramer said the opportunity to work first-hand with animals was also an added bonus for the trainees. 

“This is really everyone’s dream job,” she said.

“People with an intellectual disability gain so much comfort from being around animals. But like many things, opportunities don’t come up very often.”

“I am seeing changes in some of our clients – really the most positive progress we have seen in years.”

In the future, Mr Cripps said he would like to open a second store in the state’s South, particularly focused on employment opportunities for deaf people. 

“Providing opportunities to deaf people, that is what I am focused on,” he said. 

“I have found my dream so they should be able to as well.”

Businesses interested in becoming part of Oak Tasmania’s transition to work program can contact Eleanor Kramer at ekramer@oakpossability.org.au.