Is there a link between Dyslexia and entrepreneurial success?

thisisdyslexia
Dec 29, 2025
2 min read

There is a strong link between dyslexia and entrepreneurial success, not because dyslexia makes business easier but because dyslexic thinkers often develop strengths that are highly valuable in entrepreneurship.

These include creativity, big-picture thinking, problem-solving, resilience and innovation.

Why are so many entrepreneurs Dyslexic?

Many entrepreneurs are dyslexic because traditional education and employment systems are not designed for how dyslexic brains work.

Dyslexic thinkers often struggle in environments that prioritise:

speed
written accuracy
linear thinking
rigid systems

Entrepreneurship rewards different skills, such as adaptability, creativity and strategic thinking. This makes it a more natural fit for many dyslexic adults.

What strengths do Dyslexic entrepreneurs often have?

Research and lived experience consistently show common dyslexic strengths that support entrepreneurship.

These include:

Big-picture thinking – seeing opportunities and connections others miss
Creativity – generating ideas and innovative solutions
Problem-solving – approaching challenges from unconventional angles
Strong verbal communication – pitching, storytelling and relationship-building
Resilience – persistence developed through navigating challenge
Risk tolerance – comfort with uncertainty and experimentation

Dyslexia is a cognitive difference, not a deficit-only profile.

Does Dyslexia automatically lead to business success?

No.

Dyslexia does not cause success on its own.

Entrepreneurship is still demanding and dyslexic adults can face real challenges, particularly with:

organisation
admin
time management
systems and processes
reading-heavy tasks

Success comes when dyslexic entrepreneurs understand their profile and design ways of working that play to strengths while reducing cognitive load.

Why do many entrepreneurs discover Dyslexia as adults?

Many dyslexic adults are not identified at school.

They often cope by:

working harder than peers
avoiding reading-heavy routes
relying on intelligence and memory
choosing creative or practical paths

As businesses grow, demands increase.

This is when coping strategies stop working and questions arise.

Common adult reflections include:

Why is this so exhausting?

Why am I good at ideas but overwhelmed by admin?

Why do systems never stick?

This is often the point where dyslexia is recognised.

How can Dyslexic entrepreneurs work more effectively?

Dyslexic entrepreneurs thrive when they:

understand their cognitive profile
stop forcing themselves into linear systems
delegate detail-heavy tasks
use assistive technology
build visual or verbal workflows
create flexible routines
work with their energy, not against it

Understanding dyslexia often reduces burnout, shame and over-compensation.

What role does assessment or coaching play?

A dyslexia assessment provides clarity.

Coaching provides strategy.

Together, they help dyslexic entrepreneurs:

understand how their brain works
reframe past struggles
build sustainable ways of working
reduce overwhelm
strengthen confidence and self-trust

This is not about fixing the person. It’s about fixing the fit.

Expert Insight

Laura Gowers is the founder of This is Dyslexia and works with adults who discover dyslexia later in life, including business owners and entrepreneurs.

With over 23 years’ experience in education and leadership, Laura supports dyslexic adults to: