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David Harper’s White Mountain Naturals began to take shape after Harper, an independent Baptist evangelist from New Hampshire, lost his leg in August 2004. When he returned home from the hospital, he realized that he needed to find a hobby to keep him busy. He found a basic recipe for soap, then began searching for essential oils that could help with cleansing an amputated limb.

Harper’s research led him to infuse his soap with tea tree oil, which he says is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antimicrobial. It’s also trans-dermal, which means it easily penetrates the skin and delivers the healing properties of the other ingredients in his products. Harper said his customers – some of them without amputations - have credited his products for helping to alleviate several skin problems, including jungle rot, nail fungus and psoriasis.

Harper agreed to share his experiences as an entrepreneur with a disability to help others considering this path for themselves. Both his strong religious faith and his sense of determination come through in his answers below.

SD: Were you initially fearful of starting your own business, and if so, how did you overcome that?

DH: Yes, I believe anyone who has any common sense at all is going to have some fear, apprehension, and doubt concerning their decision to begin a new business.

I overcame these concerns and fears by believing first in my idea for the products I wanted to create. Believe me, if you do not have any confidence in what you are trying to accomplish or do, then you will surely fail, not because your business idea was flawed, but because you talked yourself out of your own success.