Secondary Resources > The Amazing Human Body

A brilliant mind?

Having trouble reading and writing doesn’t mean you will have trouble succeeding. People with dyslexia have excelled in all walks of life, from treading the boards to theoretical physics.

It is a common trait among those best described as Britain’s business super-powers, from Alan Sugar to Richard Branson. So, far from being a hindrance, can the unique aspects of a dyslexic brain actually help to set you on the road to success?

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Presented by Ben Way, entrepreneur and author.

Ben's story

Entrepreneur and author Ben Way has appeared on Secret Millionaire and The Startup Kids. Ben grew up in Devon, left school at 15 and started a computer consultancy. At 19, he became one of the first dot.com millionaires.

I was very lucky to be diagnosed when I was only five years old. I didn't speak until I was three and, as my mum was a teacher, she already knew something was wrong.

Primary school was tough. I felt isolated and spent most days in a room on my own as I became disruptive due to frustration at my dyslexia. I attended a very good secondary school and eventually learned to cope in other ways and, although I left school at 15, I knew exactly what I wanted to do and started a computer consultancy. That was my first 'real' business. My first 'actual' business was when I was nine years old and bought some chickens and sold their eggs.

A huge positive

Now, I feel dyslexia is my greatest asset. I think differently and can assimilate information very quickly. For me, being dyslexic is a huge positive – it's a great club and the best people I know are in it. I would say that about 30% of the entrepreneurs I work with are dyslexic. If I hadn't been dyslexic, I would probably still be on a farm in Devon.

I wrote a book and it was the most cathartic thing I have ever done. Admittedly, it was a huge challenge as I wrote every word myself and it took a very long time to do. But I had the help of a very good editor and the whole experience gave me an amazing sense of achievement.

The most important thing anyone who thinks they have dyslexia can do is get diagnosed as early as possible, and then find and use as many resources as they can to help get where they want to be. I don't believe there is anything a dyslexic person can't do. It's just a matter of finding a different and unique way to do it.

Demystifying dyslexia

Dyslexia is a complex condition affecting people in a variety of ways.

Click or tap the image below to find out more…

No bar to achievement

Success stories

Discover more about successful people in business and beyond who have refused to let dyslexia hold them back…

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Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver never managed to read a novel until he was 38 years old. However dyslexia has not hindered his business acumen – he is arguably the world's richest chef with an estimated fortune of £150m.
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Michelle Mone, founder of underwear brand Ultimo, was only diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult (at the same time as her son). "I never let any difficulties I had hold me back", she said, "and I would definitely employ dyslexic people in my company."
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Like many dyslexic entrepreneurs, 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 Lord Sugar, who has since accumulated a personal wealth of £830m.
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Sir Richard Branson left the education system at 15. He said: "They thought I was a hopeless case and I was always bottom of the class." But, like many dyslexics, Branson found his calling in business and now runs 300 companies through the Virgin group.
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"An obstacle, but also a gift" is how actor Orlando Bloom describes his dyslexia. He also says: "Creativity is the key for any child who has dyslexia. When I was young, being on stage performing, creating – that was really what got me through."
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Florence Welch, a successful musician with Florence and the Machine, says her dyslexia made her feel different to everyone else. She attributes her quirky style and music to that feeling of being different.
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Despite his fierce intelligence and sporting ability, Muhammad Ali claimed his high school teachers “labelled me dumb” and he graduated near the bottom of his class. Diagnosed as an adult, he became a passionate advocate for children with dyslexia.
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Anthony Hopkins found his dyslexia difficult to cope with at school, but now describes the condition as, "the greatest gift that I could have been given as it was the rocket fuel that drove me to do something with my life."
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Steven Spielberg was only diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 60. He says that it takes him twice as long as anyone else to read a book or script. "I never felt like a victim", he says. "Movies kind of saved me from shame."

Can dyslexia inspire me to success?