Since there are several national conference events taking place one right after the other, I’ve been putting together an article series previewing some of the people and products you can expect to see. In this case, my subject coincides with the other articles I’ve been posting on the topic of entrepreneurship. Here, an entrepreneur who is blind is the president of a company exhibiting at both the NFB and ACB national events.
Earle Harrison has nearly 25 years of experience as an adaptive technology industry leader. As president and owner of Triumph Technology, LLC.–a small company based in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, he has developed an international reputation for his innovative approach to adapting off-the-shelf mainstream technologies for people with visual impairments. Harrison is also known for his work on the earliest versions of JAWS for Windows–the world’s first screen reader that could be installed independently by a blind person.
In June of 2005, Harrison launched a home based business, which he called Triumph Technology. The new company quickly became known for bundling Code Factory’s Mobile Speak screen reading applications with various mainstream PDA’s and cell phones, and for providing top-notch technical support.
Mr. Harrison agreed to answer a few of my questions regarding his thoughts on entrepreneurship.
LL: Is there a single aspect of Triumph Technology of which you are the most proud?
E H: I am proud of the reputation my company has earned and sustained for over 7 years in providing quality service and support.
LL: What “conventional wisdom” about entrepreneurship are you glad you ignored?
E H: Fortunately for me, most people who knew me when I told them of my plans to start my own company were very supportive. Some people did however think I was crazy for giving up a perfectly good government job for the stress and uncertainty of self employment. I must say however that often it is my own doubts and perceptions that I have needed to learn to ignore.
LL: Are there any personal traits or characteristics that you believe have held you in good stead as an entrepreneur?
E H: Above all, no matter how difficult things get, and no matter how easy it would be to do otherwise at times, my desire to always act in the best interest of the customer remains well in tact and I’m pretty proud of this ethical standard.
LL: What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs?
E H: It isn’t enough to just understand that being an entrepreneur involves a tremendous amount of risk and hard work, you have got to be absolutely driven to succeed and at the same time be able to summons the energy to pick yourself up out of the mud when you fall flat on your face. I also think it is very important that blind entrepreneurs support one another whenever possible. Network and surround yourself with people who share the same ideals and thank God every morning when you receive the gift of a new day.
More about Triumph Technology: Today, Harrison employs others who are blind or have low vision, and maintains a robust international distribution network for the product lines he represents. In addition to its thriving consumer, corporate, government, and institutional sales, Triumph Technology, LLC. offers adaptive technology training and consultation services in both Canada and the United States. The company’s slogan, "It’s All About Adapting," acknowledges the trend in the information technology industry toward universal accessibility, and emphasizes the need for assistive technology companies to evolve accordingly.
Go to the Triumph Technology News and Reviews blog for the most up-to-date trade show information at:
Click on the link entitled news and reviews Blog.
If you are planning a visit to the exhibit halls of the upcoming NFB and ACB national conventions, stop by the Triumph Technology booth to see their latest offerings.
NFB: Booth 27-B
ACB: Booth 31
LL