How to Harness Unique Abilities to Stand Out as an Entrepreneur

By Anne-Wallis Droter, EO Writer

As EO celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week, we honor its 2024 theme, “Entrepreneurship is for everyone.” We celebrate and support entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges—whether physical, cognitive, economic, or social—to build successful businesses.

After nearly four decades of working with a diverse array of 19,000+ entrepreneurs worldwide, we can attest that anyone—and everyone—can build a business and become an entrepreneur. EO provides support and connection so entrepreneurs everywhere can unlock their full potential and move the world forward.

In our experience, there is no “typical” entrepreneur. Founders come in diverse shapes and sizes, hail from every country in the world, and are born with every imaginable type of dis/ability or dis/advantage. 

Entrepreneurs are change-makers. They transform unique abilities and perspectives into strengths that solve complex problems and differentiate their companies. They remind us that entrepreneurship isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about having the belief, vision, risk tolerance, determination, and grit to succeed—no matter what obstacles you face. 

EO members have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and the grit to succeed despite their circumstances and situations. We asked EO members how they leverage their differing dis/abilities and dis/advantages to become stronger, more resilient, and uniquely competitive. 

A Father-Son Duo Spreads Happiness and Empowers Others

“My son, John, was born with Down syndrome. Together, we co-founded John’s Crazy Socks, a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness,” said Mark X. Cronin, an EO Long Island member. “Much of that mission is based on showing what people with differing abilities can achieve.” 

It was John’s idea to start the business. As he entered his last year of high school, he searched for meaningful work he could do after graduation but came up empty-handed. The unfortunate reality is, that in the U.S., only one in five people with a disability are employed. John, a natural entrepreneur, saw this problem as an opportunity to start his own business—to sell crazy socks. 

What started as an idea in late 2016 has grown into the world’s largest sock store! 

John is the face of the business and sets the tone for the company’s culture. He may also be the hardest working man the sock world: The company has shipped over 475,000 packages to 89 different countries. The co-founders were recognized as EY’s 2019 Entrepreneurs of the Year—making John the first person with Down syndrome to earn that award. 

The business provides the father-son duo a platform to promote entrepreneurship for people with different abilities and employment for underserved people with different abilities. 

Their goal is to showcase what people with differing abilities can achieve and foster inclusion. Through its Giving Back program, the company has donated over US$800,000 to charity partners like the National Down Syndrome Society and Special Olympics.

“John and I are frequent keynote speakers, addressing conferences, business meetings, and universities,” Cronin said. “We use our platform to advocate for people with different abilities. We have spoken twice at the United Nations, testified before the U.S. Congress, and recorded two TEDx talks.” 

Entrepreneurship as a Sanctuary for Neurodivergent Individuals

“I was diagnosed on the autistic spectrum at age 42, a revelation that reshaped my understanding of who I am and how I navigate the world,” shared Claire Angelle, an EO Accelerator in Atlanta and founder and CEO of Angelle Consulting. She found the diagnosis enlightening because it explained many of her experiences, challenges, and unique strengths. “Entrepreneurship, with its freedom to define one’s path, has become a sanctuary in a world not built for neurodivergent individuals like myself.” 

The entrepreneurial journey is often an off-the-beaten-path adventure; for many neurodivergent individuals, that is a deliberate choice.

“The traditional world, shaped by neurotypical norms, doesn’t always provide the acceptance and accommodations we need to thrive,” Claire explained. “My neurodiversity presents daily challenges that require intentional management and accommodations. I experience severe sensitivity to noise, which can be debilitating; anxiety when facing new environments; and a lack of auditory working memory, which means I often struggle to retain spoken information.” 

But Claire’s strengths outweigh those challenges. Honing her strengths over the years empowered her to build a thriving business. “My language and writing skills are unparalleled, together with my pattern recognition abilities,” she explained. “These strengths have not only shaped my business approach but have also become assets that differentiate me in a competitive space.”

When you lean into your strengths, no goal is insurmountable. 

Dyslexia Didn’t Stop Him: Overcoming Numerical Challenges in Business 

“As an entrepreneur, I’ve faced countless challenges, but none as personal and profound as learning to see simple numbers. Growing up with dyslexia, numbers were my nemesis,” explained Craig Wasilchak, an EO Fort Worth member who is the founder and CEO of Crushing B2B Digital Strategies. “I felt a constant sense of embarrassment and frustration.” 

As a visionary, Wasilchak also had a short attention span, complicating his challenge. “Numbers and letters would dance on the page, morph in my head, and leave me feeling defeated.” 

In the business world, where numbers are everything, it left him feeling like he was running uphill, trying to catch something just out of reach. 

“But here's the thing about being an entrepreneur: We Don't Give Up. We innovate, we adapt, and we find a way,” Wasilchak shared.

With the support of tutors and mentors, his incredible team, and the unwavering love of his family, Wasilchak learned to navigate this challenge: “I embraced technology that made words and numbers more accessible, developed unique strategies to manage my dyslexia, and, most importantly, learned to be kind to myself.” 

Let Resilience and Passion for Entrepreneurship Drive You Forward

“Resilience is born from adversity,” said Marsha Ralls, an EO LAC Bridge member and founder of The Phoenix Asheville. Ralls shared her experience around the overwhelming challenges she faced after the loss of her business and her home of 25 years.

“The aftermath brought a diagnosis of anxiety and PTSD. In the beginning, these challenges felt overwhelming, almost paralyzing. But as I navigated through the darkness, I discovered something profound: This adversity ignited a transformative journey.” 

Ralls shared that once seemed like insurmountable obstacles became her greatest teachers, reshaping her approach to entrepreneurship. 

“I realized that the way we respond to our circumstances can define our path as entrepreneurs. This understanding led me to discover the power of mindset in shaping our reality.”

“No matter what we face in life—whether it’s personal struggles or professional setbacks—our passion for entrepreneurship can drive us forward,” Ralls said. She firmly believes that the challenges you encounter are not roadblocks but stepping stones that pave the way for growth. 

“We are the creators of our future, capable of crafting the life and business we aspire to achieve,” Ralls said. 

The Power of Community and Inclusion in Entrepreneurship

“Believe in the power of inclusion,” Cronin emphasized. “Focus on what people can do, not what they can’t do. Embrace what makes you different—it’s often your greatest strength. Entrepreneurship is for anyone willing to believe in themselves and their vision.” 

Wasilchak focuses on the lessons he has learned: “Every challenge carries a lesson. My dyslexia, once a source of deep frustration, became a testament to my resilience and determination. It reminded me that vulnerabilities can be strengths in disguise.” 

For those who struggle with cognitive or physical challenges, having a community is of exceptional value.

“Being part of EO has given me a community of not just fellow entrepreneurs but also peers who share similar experiences,” Angelle shared. “I’ve found several members who understand the unique challenges I face. Together, we can openly discuss our experiences, share strategies, and offer support.” 

It's also important to recognize that autism is a spectrum; not all autistic individuals have the ability to pursue a career. “Every person’s experience is different. There is much more to be done to make our world accessible to all, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a fulfilling life,” Angelle emphasized. “This is why advocating for greater awareness and inclusion remains crucial.” 

To anyone battling their own invisible challenges: Your struggles do not define you! They are merely chapters in your story, shaping you into the resilient, innovative leader you are meant to be.