It would be hard to imagine a pair of more improbable innovators than August de los Reyes and Nancye Radmin. They turned liabilities into their own missions.

Falling from bed injured August’s spine leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. But it made him a better product designer.

August became an advocate for inclusive design for the disabled at Microsoft. He sought out those whose disabilities excluded them from activities and made computers work for them.

He guided disability designs to make inclusive design part of Microsoft culture.

Nancye Radmin’s 2nd pregnancy left her with 80 extra pounds. She could’t find clothes she liked that fit.

Instead of getting angry, she got rich. With $10,000 from her husband, she launched the Forgotten Woman chain to sell high fashion to Rubenesque women in the higher end of the market where outfits cost more than $1,000.

“Not everyone in Beverly Hills is a toothpick,” she said.

The lesson in this is to find a niche, fill a need and rake in the bucks. It’s OK if it becomes your mission.

We share ideas like this in Uncover Your Inner Sales Genius. It’s filled with business and sales tips. It will take you on a 30-day journey to incredible success. For your free copy, email JerryBellune@yahoo.com.

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