Entrepreneurs with disabilities activate allies, rewrite the narrative
Roughly 1.8 million businesses in the U.S. are owned by someone with a disability, according to the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau
Inna and Vladimir Giterman tinkered with several business ideas before finding their niche — and their version of the American dream — with crepes.
Both immigrants, and both deaf, the Gitermans started Crepe Crazy in 2007. What began as a mom-and-pop shop at festivals has grown into a full-blown family business with multiple food trucks, two brick-and-mortar restaurants in Texas and a franchise location in Baltimore.
Everyone who works for the company, including the Giterman’s two adult children, are either deaf or “deeply involved with the deaf community,” Inna Giterman said in an email. Staff communicate using American Sign Language. Customers who can’t sign still order with their hands: by pointing.
Crepe Crazy is one of roughly 1.8 million businesses in the United States that is owned by someone with a disability, according to the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau (though experts believe that number to be conservative).
