Dragons' Den investor Theo Paphitis is speaking at the
Dyslexia Action charity appeal in London later
tonight. The serial investor and entrepreneur will tell attendees
how he overcame dyslexia to achieve business success.
It's hard enough starting your own business without any
additional challenges. But research undertaken by Cass Business
School shows that entrepreneurs are five times more likely to
suffer from dyslexia. Here are Smarta's top ten dyslexic
entrepreneurs who have made the big time.
Sir Richard Branson
He may be the multi-millionaire boss of the Virgin Group, but
Richard Branson hasn't had it easy. Branson struggled during his
school days and left the education system at 15: "They thought I
was a hopeless case because I'm dyslexic, although no-one had heard
of it in those days. I was always bottom of the class," he says.
But, like many dyslexic entrepreneurs, Branson found his calling in
business.
Branson is now the 212th richest person in the world, according
to Forbes, and runs 300 companies through the Virgin Group. Far
from seeing his dyslexia as a handicap, Branson says: "Being
dyslexic can actually help in the outside world. I see some things
clearer than other people do because I have to simplify things to
help me and that has helped others."
Lord Sugar
The straight-talking entrepreneur and Apprentice star
founded Amstrad in 1968. Like Sir Richard Branson, Lord Sugar left
school early to pursue his business interests, starting a market
stall in London's East End. Dyslexia has been no barrier to success
for Sugar, who has since accumulated a personal wealth of
£830m.
Sir Norman Foster
Sir Norman Foster is a British architect and founder of Foster
& Partners. Sir Foster is Britain's most prolific designer and
builder of landmark office buildings. He is most famous for
designing the Swiss Re London headquarters at 30 St Mary Axe, also
known as "The Gherkin".
Dame Anita Roddick
The late Anita Roddick was an entrepreneur, human rights
campaigner and philanthropist. She opened her first Body Shop in
1976. By 1991, she had 700 stores. Roddick was dyslexic, but her
learning difficulties never held her back. ""If you think you're
too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito," she
said.
Jamie Oliver
"It was with great regret that I didn't do better at school.
People just thought I was thick, it was a struggle, I never really
had anyone to help that understood dyslexia and who could bring out
my strengths." Jamie Oliver is the nation's most beloved celebrity
chef and restaurateur. He left school at 16 without any
qualifications to attend Westminster Catering College and it was
there he found his calling: food. Oliver has today published 16
cookbooks and runs two London-based eateries: Jamie's Italian and
Fifteen.
Theo Paphitis
Theo Paphitis battled with his dyslexia at school. Despite
struggling in lessons, he demonstrated real entrepreneurial flair
from a young age, running his school tuck shop. Paphitis is now
boss of stationers Ryman and sold lingerie business La Senza for an
estimated £100m.
Paphitis has also achieved scholastic success. He was awarded an
honorary doctorate by Middlesex University last year. He said of
the honour: "Having left school at 16 with just a certificate for
colouring in maps - geography - and another for swimming 10 metres,
I hadn't even dreamt about a doctorate. That said, I always try for
the unattainable and in this instance I've been incredibly
lucky."
Ben Way
When Ben Way was seven years old, his primary school teacher
told him: "Ben, you will never read or write. You will never make
anything of yourself." How wrong she was. Way went on to become one
of the UK's youngest self-made millionaires at 17 years old.
"I was lucky enough to be recognised as dyslexic very early
in my life," he says. "I know that dyslexia in many ways gives me
an edge against the competition, but only because I received the
specialist equipment to enable me to work with dyslexia rather than
against it."
Sir John Madejski
Sir John Madejski, founder of AutoTrader and chairman of Reading
FC has business interests spanning multiple sectors and
territories. His dyslexia spurred the businessman to open the John
Madejski Academy in Reading, offering vocational courses and sports
training to kids with learning difficulties.
Peter Stringfellow
Multi-millionaire nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow found that
his dyslexia affected a number of subjects at school, but not
maths. Unsurprisingly then, Stringfellow pursued his love of
figures to launch a number of business interests, the first of
which was a music venue called The Black Cat. Today, his eponymous
strip joint is a regular haunt for wealthy businessmen and
celebrities. The entrepreneur recently launched a new club, Angels,
in London's Soho.
Ingvar Kamprad
The eccentric Ikea founder has revolutionised the market for
affordable home furnishings. Kamprad's dyslexia has actually been a
part of the entrepreneur's success: the Swedish-sounding names of
the furniture that have become so popular with UK consumers only
exist because Kamprad has trouble remembering numbers.