A dyslexic entrepreneur changing the perception of dyslexia and helping dyslexics start and run better businesses.

At 44 I discovered I was dyslexic, it sent me on a path I had never dreamed of, I quit my job, Started a Business and went to University, graduating with a Master Degree in global Entrepreneurship… “Still scratching my head”.

I now run two successful business with my wife and co-director Sandra Ownes.

 

Kirks Key Points

* Absorb as much information as you can and then apply.

* The hardest thing to overcome was my self-confidence.

* You will always have transferable skills no matter what.

* Gain as much experience in every job or role that you’re in.

 

Guest links

* Website – http://www.duggystone.com

* Twitter – https://twitter.com/duggystone

* Podcast –  DUGGYSTONE – podcast

 

Top quotes

* I must have been bad because when I got into work, everyone thought I’d jumped off the bridge.

* I’d hit a glass ceiling.

* I was supposed to be there for 6 weeks and I ended up being there for 10 months.

* After 10 months in Holland, I decided that I didn’t want to go back to my site in the UK.

* I needed a new start otherwise, I would have remained stagnant

* I had two choices, stay in Holland or go back to the UK and I was 80% going to stay but I met someone.

* Back your bags Kirk, we need you to go and sort it.

* Being a troubleshooter was probably my favourite job but I didn’t like all the travel.

* Within 6 months I got to know everyone in the business which gave me a lot of exposure.

* I absorbed as much information as I could

* I need a permanent contact, I don’t want to be on the road.

* Don’t replace both managers, I’ll do both their jobs.

* I ended up on a course that was run by Stamford University in California

* The only was to progress was to go into procurement or specified in cement manufacturing and I didn’t want to progress in those areas.

* I did a lot of report writing and this is where the problems started.

* I kept getting picked up on these issues and no matter what, I couldn’t get them right.

* I just thought I wasn’t as clever as everyone else.

* A lot of people my age tend to find out when they move into a role where they do report writing.

* When I got tested, it was a relief and I was quite emotional because it explained what I’d gone through all my life.

* You can do a mini test one line for free.

* I went to the British Dyslexia Association to be tested, its a 2 hour test and costs about £400

* It’s a niche market and they charge what they want and I think it’s wrong.

* I got told by HR that they couldn’t find anyone to write my reports. I didn’t want them to find anyone.

* You know what, give me the redundancy I’m going, stick your job.

* I was getting stabbed in the back by my colleagues because they thought they should be doing my job.

* I said to my wife that I don’t ever want to work again, it was that bad.

* One of my goals after leaving corporate was to stop people having to go through all this.

* I also work one on one with businesses to tap into dyslexic people

* The hardest thing was to get over my self-confidence issues

* I want to unleash people’s confidence

* Sandra believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself

* Unfortunately we only see the end result of people’s success.

* Do something whilst you’re building something else up

* Don’t be disillusioned by what’s around you.