Unexpected entrepreneurs
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disabled
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Jammaers, E. and Zanoni, P. (2020). Unexpected entrepreneurs: the identity work of entrepreneurs with disabilities. Entrepreneurship &Amp; Regional Development, 32(9-10), 879-898. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2020.1842913
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unexpected
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About the Recipe
Ingredients
The study identified four distinct "identity positions" that entrepreneurs with disabilities (EWDs) adopt:
The Archetypical Entrepreneur: Some EWDs lean into the traditional entrepreneurial narrative, downplaying their disability and emphasizing their business acumen, drive, and success. "I never thought of being a waged employee," said Mathias, an ICT store owner who uses a wheelchair. "I had a strong drive... being an entrepreneur was always in me somehow."
The Unique Entrepreneur: Others position their disability as a unique asset, giving them insight into untapped markets or superior problem-solving skills. "My clients were telling their physicians that I actually listen better than other psychologists," said Julie, a blind psychotherapist. "We, visually impaired people, are better able to hear and feel our patients."
The Fallback Entrepreneur: Some EWDs present entrepreneurship as a necessity rather than a choice, driven by discrimination in traditional employment. "Self-employment had become my only option," Julie explained, recounting years of bullying and underemployment.
The Collective Entrepreneur: This position emphasizes interdependence and teamwork, challenging the myth of the lone-wolf entrepreneur. "That's why I'm doing this with my partner," said Lena, an architect with Crohn's disease. "Maybe if I was on my own, I would have postponed such a big step."
What's striking about these findings is how they reveal entrepreneurship to be a far more nuanced and diverse phenomenon than popular narratives suggest. EWDs aren't just overcoming barriers - they're actively redefining what success looks like.
Preparation
The Unexpected Entrepreneurs: How Disabled Business Owners Are Redefining Success
In the bustling streets of Flanders, Belgium, a quiet revolution is taking place. Entrepreneurs with disabilities are not just starting businesses - they're reshaping our very notion of what it means to be an entrepreneur.
A recent study by researchers Eline Jammaers and Patrizia Zanoni offers a fascinating glimpse into how these "unexpected entrepreneurs" navigate a business world that often fails to recognize their potential. Through in-depth interviews with 31 entrepreneurs with various physical and cognitive impairments, the researchers uncovered a complex dance of identity work that challenges our assumptions about entrepreneurship.
"The dominant image of the entrepreneur as a heroic, risk-taking individual in complete control of their destiny simply doesn't reflect the reality for many disabled business owners," says Jammaers. "Yet they find creative ways to position themselves within - and sometimes against - these expectations."
"These entrepreneurs are engaged in a constant negotiation between societal expectations, personal limitations, and their own ambitions," explains Zanoni. "In doing so, they're expanding our understanding of what entrepreneurship can be."
This has profound implications for how we support and develop entrepreneurs. Traditional incubators and accelerators often reinforce a one-size-fits-all model of entrepreneurial success. But the experiences of EWDs suggest we need a more flexible, individualized approach.
For policymakers, this research highlights the need to address not just physical barriers, but also the "ideational barriers" - the limiting beliefs and stereotypes - that constrain entrepreneurial potential. This might mean showcasing a wider range of entrepreneurial role models or rethinking how we measure business success.
For aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities, these findings offer both validation and inspiration. They demonstrate that there's no single "right way" to be an entrepreneur, and that perceived limitations can often become unique strengths.
Perhaps most importantly, this research challenges all of us to broaden our conception of entrepreneurship. In a world grappling with complex social and environmental challenges, we need entrepreneurs who can think differently, collaborate creatively, and find opportunity in unexpected places.
The entrepreneurs in this study aren't just building businesses - they're pioneering new ways of working, innovating, and creating value. Their experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone seeking to navigate an uncertain business landscape.
As we move into an era where adaptability and resilience are prized entrepreneurial traits, these "unexpected entrepreneurs" may well become the new archetypes of success. By embracing a more inclusive vision of entrepreneurship, we open the door to a wave of innovation that benefits us all.
The entrepreneur of the future may not fit the Silicon Valley stereotype. They might use a wheelchair, communicate through sign language, or see the world in ways we can't imagine. But in their determination to create value on their own terms, they embody the true spirit of entrepreneurship - one that's about more than just profit, but about reimagining what's possible.