3 P’s Of Starting A Business As A Dyslexic

Starting a business when you’re dyslexic can feel like stepping into the unknown. In this episode, Stephen Martin offers an honest look at the hurdles dyslexic thinkers face and the fresh ideas they bring to the table. He talks about why defining your audience matters, why practical timelines are crucial, and how your passions can keep you motivated long term.

He also shares stories about spotting opportunities in everyday life, underestimating how long ideas might take, and using your unique perspective to stand out. If you’ve ever felt that your dyslexia is holding you back, this episode will remind you that it could be your biggest asset.

Identifying Your Audience

One of the first steps in any business is working out who your audience is. Rather than trying to help everyone, Stephen advises going for a niche that resonates with you. It means finding people who share your struggles or your interests. When your message speaks directly to them, they’re far more likely to connect with what you do.

Sometimes this can be as simple as thinking about the problems you faced growing up with dyslexia. Did you struggle to find certain services, products, or types of advice? Those same challenges could be exactly what your audience faces now.

“We often see problems from angles others might miss. That’s a superpower if you use it to meet a real need,” says Stephen.

Turning Passions into Solutions

Next, Stephen encourages listeners to align what they love with what they do. It’s easy to quit a project if you’re only half-interested. But if you genuinely care about the solution you’re offering, you’ll persevere when things get tough.

Don’t wait for a lightning-bolt moment. Let your curiosity guide you. If you enjoy tinkering with gadgets, maybe you’ll create a tool that helps dyslexic minds. If you’re big on health and wellbeing, that could lead you to consult on supportive supplements or other resources.

• Look at your hobbies and ongoing interests.
• Notice how often you research or talk about these topics.
• Ask yourself if there’s a gap in the market waiting to be filled.

When you combine passion with purpose, you create something that feels more like fun than work.

Making Time an Ally

Underestimating how long tasks will take is something Stephen confesses he’s done over and over. The enthusiasm is there, but so is that typical dyslexic time warp, where a week of tasks can unexpectedly eat up a month.

He recommends writing down rough estimates, then giving yourself a buffer. If you think something’s going to take five days, maybe plan for seven. This way, you build in space for mental rest, sudden inspiration, or any unexpected hiccups.

• Break your big goal into small steps.
• Track how long tasks really take, then adjust your future plans.
• Use tools or apps that remind you of deadlines.

Stephen also points out that you should celebrate when you hit a milestone early. It feels uplifting, especially if you often see the opposite happen.

Spotting Opportunities in the Everyday

Dyslexia can be a powerful lens. Stephen suggests paying attention to daily habits and routines for business inspiration. Many dyslexics know they have to do things differently—by scanning text in a certain way, using reminders for nearly everything, or turning challenging tasks into simpler routines. These very strategies might help you spot a problem worth solving.

He talks about keeping a journal of ideas or interesting issues you notice throughout your day. That random thought might grow into a concept that others will love. The key is to stay curious.

• Analyse daily pain points in your schedule.
• Write them down the moment they occur to you.
• Chat with others who share the same frustrations.

Before you know it, you’ll have a list of potential business ideas ready to be explored.

A Few Final Takeaways

• Dyslexia can become a launchpad for entrepreneurship.
• Define your audience so you can speak directly to their challenges.
• It’s often best to solve a problem you’ve personally faced.
• Passion is the fuel that keeps you in the game.
• Plan deadlines with some extra breathing room.
• Spot opportunities by examining the routines you follow each day.
• Celebrate the unique angle dyslexia brings to the business world.

If you’d like more guidance on how to turn your dyslexia into a business advantage, be sure to listen to the full podcast episode at the top of this page. You’ll hear all of Stephen’s stories and the practical ways he’s learned to make dyslexia work in his favour.

If you want to find out more visit: truthaboutdyslexia.com

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