Dyslexia: The World Is Your Oyster!

Growing up under the shadow of dyslexia during a time when it was not as well known about as it is today, provided a very challenging reality for a child trying to fit into a society that was not fully equipped to understand the realities faced through school. Focus on your daughter, I recall my teacher saying to my parents. She will go somewhere. I was 12 at the time, and probably not old enough to really understand the seriousness of what was being said. It is therefore not surprising that my headmaster had the same viewpoint. So, the natural reaction was to prove them wrong!

“To this day, I firmly believe that with bucket-loads of graft and resilience, anyone can make their dreams come true.” – Theo Paphitis

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Theo Paphitis. You will be more familiar with Theo from his time on BBC2 Dragons’ Den. However, what you may not be aware of is that Theo Paphitis, alongside being an incredibly successful businessman, is the Dyslexia Empowerment Patron for the British Dyslexia Association. Having grown up with Dyslexia himself.

Hard Lessons Well Learnt

Theo explains one of the greatest lessons his parents instilled in him was the importance of hard work and resilience. He opens up about his struggles at school, brought on through his dyslexia, although not fully aware of the reason at the time. He found himself often placed in the bottom sets because he struggled to learn in the same way as his fellow peers. Theo highlights that whilst this was his daily reality, he did not let this step of his journey hold him back, working harder to find workarounds to keep up with the other students – “boy I am glad they instilled me with this mindset”.

Theo highlights that dyslexia was not picked up with him until very late on in his childhood, as it was not a consideration when he was growing up. He points to there being very little, if any support when he was at school. Pointing out that if you did not fit the predetermined mould for learning you were labelled thick. The resulting domino effect is that Theo had to work twice as hard and learn to think outside the box just to keep up.

Forwarding to today, whilst he admits that there is still a long way to go, Theo points to much better awareness and support these days when it comes to diagnosing and supporting those with dyslexia. Going onto to reference how he himself did not completely realize he had dyslexia until his children started being diagnosed and started very quickly to identify those same traits within himself.

Being Told You Are Not Good Enough 

Theo explains that a few years back he found an old school report at home when he was clearing out the garage and it reminded him of the words a teacher had written about him in this report – “it was a judgement on my future, damning me to a world where I wouldn’t succeed.  Didn’t make me feel good at the time!”

He points to an old report card [Jan 1976], with his name spelt wrong, which Theo admits was a standard report card by its own measure. However, what made this particular report card different were the comments by the Head of House in the summary section. This provided the catalyst that provided the kicker that became something Theo thought about for many years later – “A splendid person with fine qualities but unfortunately there are no examinations in this field.” He explains how this back-handed compliment motivated him to prove his Head of House wrong, but honestly admits it is very easily could have had the opposite effect. Doubling down on the fact that whilst words can widen peoples’ horizons, they can in equal measure crush their aspirations, and motivating those in a pivotal time of life is within all of our capabilities.

What If It All Goes Wrong!

When it comes to challenges faced, Theo feels one of the biggest challenges he first faced was the same one entrepreneur’s have been grappling with since time began: what if it all goes wrong?

By taking the plunge to start his own business, Theo points to the harsh reality of having left the certainty of a good job selling mortgages that allowed him to pay his mortgage. Whilst also having to worry about paying for his car and the rent for his new offices. But with all that said, the challenge excited the aspiring businessman and drove him to work harder. “I truly believe that the moments when you create magic are often the times when your back is against the wall.” In Theo Paphitis’ view, if you’re thinking about starting out on your own, just go for it! If you’ve done your homework and you’re willing to put in the graft to make it successful, you’re already halfway there. And if it doesn’t work out, at least you can say that you gave it your best shot!

Theo explains that no one gets everything right the first time around, and if they say they do they’ve either been incredibly lucky or they’re telling a porky – and usually it’s the latter of the two! Making mistakes and getting things wrong is a part of life, and as long as they’re not fatal, that’s ok. The learning you gain from the experience will be what chisels you into who you hope to be!

Being The Dyslexia Empowerment Patron For The British Dyslexia Association

 The figures for children with dyslexia are quite stark. 1 in 10 children are dyslexic, and many more go undiagnosed and unsupported. In addition to this, a child with dyslexia is three and a half times more likely to be excluded from school. Here in lies the importance of receiving a proper diagnosis. Lead with nurturing support and advice; the resulting effect is a greater reduction in those falling through the net, whilst supporting young people to give them the best chance of strengthening the opportunities that come with living with dyslexia.

“I’m very proud of my role as ‘Dyslexia Empowerment Patron’ for the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and know we will continue to use it for good for those in need.  We also work closely with the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity and launched the Theo Paphitis Dyslexia Bursary, about upskilling teachers and TAs to support children with dyslexia; something that would have helped me so much as school.  We have helped over 100 teachers and teaching assistants with their training so far.”

 Theo explains how he has always been passionate about empowering people to embrace their dyslexia, and by working with the BDA and Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, the philanthropist is able to raise awareness of some of the resources and support out there that can help disadvantaged people identify, understand and embrace their dyslexia.

Theo expresses his honour at becoming the first Dyslexia Empowerment Patron for the British Dyslexia Association, increasingly proud that this role raises awareness of working positively with dyslexia and showing where the opportunities lie, whether at school or out in the big wide world of work. He goes onto reference a recent experience with a visit to a primary school in Norbury, London.

Theo explains the Headteacher had an infectious energy for good which shone through the whole school.  The team enabled those with all levels of ability, and it was heart-warming to answer and ask questions to reveal what was important to the children and how the school was a shining example for others.  Theo goes onto highlight how they are currently working towards the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark, and the difference it made to staff and children alike was evident.  Something he feels strongly that other schools should investigate as he feels the more, we can all support those with different learning needs, the better.

Bringing SBS to Young Entrepreneurs

 Similarly, the small business network #SBS Small Business Sunday Theo created from his kitchen table in 2010 at its very core is a platform to empower small business owners out there to take their passion to the next level, and he is incredibly proud that dyslexic entrepreneurs are represented brilliantly in the community; many working together on collaborations for the greater good.

Theo explains what inspired him to create #SBS was the fact that he could empathise and understand how hard it can be to run your own business having lived it himself, and realising that he had a platform on Twitter, at the time 50,000 followers as a result of him being on the Den, Theo felt he could use it to help small businesses out there!

“I remember how hard it was to break through to the next stage when I was starting out and the loneliness and long hours that came with running a small business. That’s why the #SBS network is so powerful – not only do you gain free access to a 4,000-member-strong business network, but you also join a community of passionate entrepreneurs on the same journey”.

The businessman is incredibly proud that #SBS has grown significantly since its inception in 2010, and Theo points out that not only is SBS a supportive community but also has partners offering incredible opportunities: regional bootcamps – this year in Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Milton Keynes and London – powered by NatWest Business, a competition where you can win one of 12 stands at the Spring Fair tradeshow, and chances to upskill through Google training programs—all for free.

“If you’re a young entrepreneur looking for a free opportunity to take your business to the next level you should definitely get involved in #SBS because it can not only give you a boost, access to resources, investment opportunities and more, but you can also become a part of an incredible community of like-minded entrepreneurs who are there not just to celebrate your highs, but also to be there to support you during the tough times”.

For Theo, #SBS has already grown and grown into something he could have never have possibly imagined. Something that started from his kitchen table in 2010 now has an annual event in Birmingham attracting headline speakers such as Deborah Meaden, Sir Tom Hunter, Stacey Solomon and has the backing of incredible titans of industry like Google and NatWest.

He explains that his team will continue to empower entrepreneurs and encourage them to get involved so that they can grow and continue contributing to our economy, because small businesses truly are part of the fabric of our society. Further referencing the incredible work his team are pushing forward with moving onwards and upwards as they add small businesses to the network every week.

More info here – www.theopaphitissbs.com

Author: Gareth Rifkin

Hi, my name is Gareth, Editor-in-Chief and founder at Student Pages Magazine. A little bit about myself. I really enjoy taking ideas and making them a reality. This is how Student Pages was born, however underneath my spontaneous exterior, the underlying core principle of Student Pages is to provide inspirational and educational stories by being authentic and relevant to our audience, whilst offering students the opportunity to utilize the print and digital side of the magazine as a launchpad for their future careers. Be audacious and fearless; and aspire to reach your dreams, no matter what those may be.