Trials and tribulations of dyslexic entrepreneurs

 

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Hi blog readers and followers hope you are all well

Being an entrepreneur who is dyslexic 

I have just read an interesting and relevant article to all dyslexic entrepreneurs and organisations who provide support for entrepreneurs as a whole. Here is a little of what the article said:

"Professor Julie Logan’s research at the University of Bristol in 2001 reported that 1 in 5 of the UK’s entrepreneurs she surveyed was dyslexic, twice the rate expected for adults in the UK. Women’s Enterprise Scotland estimate that 60,000 women are registered as business owners in Scotland, which could equate to as many as 12,000 female dyslexic entrepreneurs, depending on how the term ‘entrepreneur’ is applied.

In 2008 Prof. Logan’s research at Cass Business School in London made business headlines when she reported that entrepreneurs with dyslexia make significantly different decisions compared to non-dyslexic entrepreneurs in two key respects: the number of businesses they choose to set up, and how many people they employ. Dyslexic entrepreneurs did significantly more of both. This means that the actions of this group are important for economic growth."

Lets just suppose there are another 12.000 male dyslexic entrepreneurs or potential entrepreneurs out there in Scotland. Yet many schools, colleges, training organisations fail to provide adequate support that will enable dyslexics so succeed. Yet many dyslexics still leave school without having their dyslexia assessed and as a result end in in low level employment, long term unemployed or worse still in our prisons. This is a waste of their lives, they become and burden on the economy and it is a waste of potential income for the Scottish economy. 

Dyslexics have to be seen as a potential untapped resource to the Scottish economy and provided with appropriate support in our schools and colleges. This support need not cost a lot of money. Indeed a few simple clicks of a mouse can enable a dyslexic to work more effectively on a computer for no cost what so ever.

I do not believe dyslexia to be a disability it is society that disables so many of us by not teaching us in ways we can access the learning in schools.

I am one of those male dyslexic entrepreneurs and before I founded Dyslexia Pathways 3 years ago I had a career as a dyslexia specialist working with adults in colleges. I have to say that when I was starting up my social enterprise Dyslexia Pathways I encountered is a total lack of dyslexia specific support for dyslexic entrepreneurs here in Fife and in Edinburgh. I went to many organisations for support and advice and not one of them any idea dyslexia and how to support a dyslexic entrepreneur. 

Many organisations I went to were more of an hindrance than a help. I did meet with some supportive individuals who were very supporting and I have to thank them for their support with my own journey to becoming an entrepreneur.

One of the aims of Dyslexia Pathways is to create a new mentoring scheme for dyslexic entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs. To enable  them to unleash their potential and succeed in their chosen entrepreneurial path. Please read my blog if you would like to find out more about the work we do at Dyslexia Pathways.