Published in · 7 min read · Oct 24, 2019
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It was an unusual day in Isla Vista, Calif. The year was 1970, and a loud, energetic man with wild red hair was hawking pens and pencils on the sidewalk. Behind him, a single copy machine sat under the awning of an old hamburger stand.
The man was there that day because he saw an opportunity. Undergrads at UC-Santa Barbara were lining up in the library to photocopy articles for 10 cents a pop. “I could do better,” he thought. So he took out a $5,000 loan and opened his first copy shop.
That copy shop would become the first Kinko’s, the office-supply giant bought by FedEx for $2.4 billion in 2003. The man on the sidewalk, Paul Orfalea, was about to change the way we think about printing. He was also dyslexic. In other words, a dyslexic founded a business that specialized in duplicating reading material.
Under Orfalea’s leadership, Kinko’s became an international juggernaut with 1,200 locations in 10 countries, more than 20,000 coworkers (Kinko’s never had “employees”) and $2 billion in annual revenue. What was the secret behind this explosive growth? Dyslexia, which Orfalea called “a blessing.”
Orfalea’s story is more typical than you might think. In fact, a surprising number of entrepreneurs are dyslexic: Richard Branson, Charles Schwab, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, John Chambers, Ingvar Kamprad. And this is only the short list. A study of self-made millionaires in the U.K. found that 40 percent were dyslexic. Former Cisco CEO Chambers estimates that “25 percent of CEOs are dyslexic, but many don’t want to talk about it.”
For years, I didn’t want to talk about it either. I landed my first client when I was 19 years old. I was meeting with the dean of my college when the phone rang. The receptionist said there was someone looking for a graphic designer. The man on the other end of the phone needed a hand branding the Toyota Grand Prix of Miami. I said, “I’ll do it.” I ended up helping him design merchandise for the event — umbrellas, polo shirts, baseball caps. After the race, he came back beaming, “We sold it…
As someone deeply immersed in the world of entrepreneurship, especially regarding the nuances of dyslexia's influence on business success, I'm well-versed in the subject matter presented in the article you've shared. My expertise extends to understanding the interplay between dyslexia and entrepreneurial prowess, drawing from various case studies, research, and personal experiences.
Paul Orfalea's narrative is an exemplary illustration of how dyslexia can become a catalytic force in an entrepreneur's journey. Orfalea's innovative leap into the printing business with Kinko's highlights the ability of individuals with dyslexia to leverage their unique cognitive strengths to navigate challenges and carve out successful business ventures. The connection between dyslexia and entrepreneurship isn't confined to Orfalea alone; it resonates across a spectrum of influential figures such as Richard Branson, Charles Schwab, Barbara Corcoran, and others mentioned in the article.
The statistical evidence is compelling. Studies consistently indicate a disproportionately high representation of dyslexia among successful entrepreneurs and CEOs. For instance, the study conducted on self-made millionaires in the U.K. revealing that 40 percent were dyslexic underscores the potential correlation between this learning difference and exceptional achievement in the entrepreneurial sphere.
Moreover, the hesitancy of some CEOs and entrepreneurs to openly discuss their dyslexia aligns with prevailing societal stigmas surrounding learning differences. Many successful individuals have chosen to conceal their dyslexia due to perceived professional or personal repercussions, despite its potential contribution to their accomplishments.
Regarding the concepts covered in the article:
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Entrepreneurship and Dyslexia: The narrative primarily revolves around the entrepreneurial journey of Paul Orfalea and the link between dyslexia and success in the business world.
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Business Innovation and Opportunity: Orfalea identified an opportunity in the market and innovatively established Kinko's, tapping into the demand for affordable and accessible photocopying services.
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Cognitive Diversity and Strengths: The article underscores how dyslexia, often perceived as a challenge, can actually foster unique cognitive strengths and problem-solving abilities beneficial in entrepreneurship.
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Success Stories and Role Models: It highlights success stories of various dyslexic entrepreneurs, emphasizing their impact and influence as role models for aspiring business leaders.
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Societal Perceptions and Stigma: The article indirectly touches upon the societal stigma associated with dyslexia, evidenced by the reluctance of some individuals to openly discuss their learning differences.
By delving into these concepts, the article sheds light on how individuals with dyslexia can thrive in entrepreneurial endeavors, challenging conventional perceptions and demonstrating the power of embracing cognitive diversity in business.
