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.

1. Kirks Key PointsAbsorb as much information as you can and then apply.
2. The hardest thing to overcome was my self-confidence.
3. You will always have transferable skills no matter what.
4. Gain as much experience in every job or role that you’re in.

• Guest linksWebsite - http://www.duggystone.com
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/duggystone
• Podcast - DUGGYSTONE - podcast
• Top quotesI 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.
• Key timestamps0:54 - Coming back as a new person
• 2:18 - Off to Holland I go
• 4:59 - Back to the UK but a new location
• 7:33 - Being a troubleshooter
• 10:22 - I needed a permanent contract
• 12:31 - Further education
• 13:57 - Still wanting to progress
• 15:35 - Where the problems started
• 19:00 - Getting tested
• 20:10 - How dyslexia works
• 22:29 - Working in the corporate role with dyslexia
• 23:18 - Gardening leave
• 24:00 - Getting stabbed in the back
• 25:06 - My first client
• 26:10 - University
• 27:15 - Spreading the word
• 29:14 - The design business
• 31:32 - Working with lasers
• 33:50 - The big journey and the biggest things
• 41:49 - Guest links