Absorb As Much Information As You Can And Then Apply With Kirk Pickstone

A dyslexic entrepreneur changing the perception of dyslexia and helping dyslexics start and run better businesses.

At 44 I discovered I was dyslexic, it sent me on a path I had never dreamed of, I quit my job, Started a Business and went to University, graduating with a Master Degree in global Entrepreneurship… “Still scratching my head”.

I now run two successful business with my wife and co-director Sandra Ownes.

Kirks Key Points

Absorb as much information as you can and then apply.
The hardest thing to overcome was my self-confidence.
You will always have transferable skills no matter what.
Gain as much experience in every job or role that you’re in.

Guest links

Website - http://www.duggystone.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/duggystone
Podcast -  DUGGYSTONE - podcast

Top quotes

I must have been bad because when I got into work, everyone thought I’d jumped off the bridge.
I’d hit a glass ceiling.
I was supposed to be there for 6 weeks and I ended up being there for 10 months.
After 10 months in Holland, I decided that I didn’t want to go back to my site in the UK.
I needed a new start otherwise, I would have remained stagnant
I had two choices, stay in Holland or go back to the UK and I was 80% going to stay but I met someone.
Back your bags Kirk, we need you to go and sort it.
Being a troubleshooter was probably my favourite job but I didn’t like all the travel.
Within 6 months I got to know everyone in the business which gave me a lot of exposure.
I absorbed as much information as I could
I need a permanent contact, I don’t want to be on the road.
Don’t replace both managers, I’ll do both their jobs.
I ended up on a course that was run by Stamford University in California
The only was to progress was to go into procurement or specified in cement manufacturing and I didn’t want to progress in those areas.
I did a lot of report writing and this is where the problems started.
I kept getting picked up on these issues and no matter what, I couldn’t get them right.
I just thought I wasn’t as clever as everyone else.
A lot of people my age tend to find out when they move into a role where they do report writing.
When I got tested, it was a relief and I was quite emotional because it explained what I’d gone through all my life.
You can do a mini test one line for free.
I went to the British Dyslexia Association to be tested, its a 2 hour test and costs about £400
It’s a niche market and they charge what they want and I think it’s wrong.
I got told by HR that they couldn’t find anyone to write my reports. I didn’t want them to find anyone.
You know what, give me the redundancy I’m going, stick your job.
I was getting stabbed in the back by my colleagues because they thought they should be doing my job.
I said to my wife that I don’t ever want to work again, it was that bad.
One of my goals after leaving corporate was to stop people having to go through all this.
I also work one on one with businesses to tap into dyslexic people
The hardest thing was to get over my self-confidence issues
I want to unleash people's confidence
Sandra believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself
Unfortunately we only see the end result of people's success.
Do something whilst you’re building something else up
Don’t be disillusioned by what's around you.

Key timestamps

0:54 - Coming back as a new person
2:18 - Off to Holland I go
4:59 - Back to the UK but a new location
7:33 - Being a troubleshooter
10:22 - I needed a permanent contract
12:31 - Further education
13:57 - Still wanting to progress
15:35 - Where the problems started
19:00 - Getting tested
20:10 - How dyslexia works
22:29 - Working in the corporate role with dyslexia
23:18 - Gardening leave
24:00 - Getting stabbed in the back
25:06 - My first client
26:10 - University
27:15 - Spreading the word
29:14 - The design business