Telling Your Story the Right Way: Standing Out Without Selling Out

A Message from Penny Forward Founder and CEO, Chris Peterson

As blind people, we often face a frustrating double-bind: We’re constantly asked to talk about our blindness—even when we’d rather focus on the things that matter to us, like our skills, our interests, or our work. At the same time, we feel the burden of having to educate every person we meet. It’s exhausting, and it’s valid to feel that way.

I won’t pretend to take that frustration away. But I do want to offer a new way to think about these interactions—especially when it comes to getting hired or growing your business.

In both situations, one of your biggest goals is to stand out. Whether you’re one of hundreds applying for a job or one of dozens of businesses offering a similar service, you want people to remember you. Not just because you’re blind—but because of who you are and what you bring to the table.

When the Interview Gets Weird

Let’s be real: interviews with blind job seekers can go sideways fast. You walk in ready to talk about your skills—maybe how fast you can wash dishes or how well you manage kitchen prep—and instead, you get asked how you dress yourself in the morning. Or hear about someone’s cousin’s neighbor’s aunt who “was also blind.” If you have a guide dog, the conversation might spiral into emotional pet stories.

It’s awkward. For us and for them.

But here’s the truth: these moments are chances to build a personal connection and redirect the conversation. You can acknowledge the curiosity without letting it derail your message. That’s where telling your story—the right way—comes in.

Steer the Narrative

Say you’re applying for a job in a commercial kitchen and get asked to “tell me about yourself.” This is your cue to lead. Talk about your love of food. Your holiday traditions. The kitchens you’ve worked in, the challenges you’ve overcome, the camaraderie you’ve built with coworkers.

Mention your blindness, sure—but weave it into the bigger story. Talk about how you figured out new tasks. How people doubted you and how you proved them wrong. Keep bringing the focus back to what qualifies you for the job.

And if you don’t get it? That doesn’t mean the whole industry is closed to you. One “no” doesn’t mean every answer will be.

For Entrepreneurs: Make it Personal

If you run a business, your story is even more essential. People want to buy from businesses they feel connected to. That’s why locally-owned stores feel special. Customers love when the staff knows their name, when they’re greeted with a smile, when the person behind the counter is also the person who built the brand.

Your blindness isn’t something to hide. It’s something to share—with pride. Not because people should feel sorry for you, but because it helps them understand you. It makes your business real. Relatable. Memorable.

Put your story on your website. Share it in your marketing. Let people know who you are and why you do what you do. They’ll be far more likely to support you—not out of pity, but out of connection.

So, the next time you find yourself needing to tell your story—whether it’s in an interview or on your business website—remember: blindness is a part of that story, not the whole thing. Share it honestly. Share it with dignity. Share it in a way that shows people what you can do.

Because when you tell your story the right way, you don’t just stand out. You help shift the conversation entirely.

Best regards,

Chris Peterson, AFC®
Founder and CEO, Penny Forward