In 1999, British entrepreneur Jo Malone sold her five year old cosmetics company to Estée Lauder, one of the top cosmetic brands in the business. Before that, Malone didn’t really think her handmade bath oils were a means by which to build a career. In fact, she didn’t see herself as a qualified business owner either. Malone was dyslexic, and at 15 years old, was forced to drop out of school to provide for her family, never being able to try and improve or refine her academic skills. She was never taught how to run a business, and even lacked simple skills like filling out forms at the bank. But she had a creative mind and a large drive to provide a life for herself and her family.

Now back at the top of yet another multi million dollar cosmetics company, Malone is speaking out about her dyslexia. She has said that the learning disability was never disabling, but a gift which allowed her to think creatively and face failure with an open mind. She has publically replied to other beginner dyslexic entrepreneurs’ requests for help, encouraging dyslexics to allow their trails to “build ‘business muscle’” and spot new ideas around every corner.

Jo’s advice for other dyslexics: “[I want] people to look at me and think: if she can do that, what can I do? I’m a woman who’s dyslexic, can’t tell my left from my right, can’t swim, and am so bad in cars it’s best I don’t drive. I can’t fill out a form on my own and when I go into a bank I have to ask someone to help me. I have zero qualifications, so I really shouldn’t be in life where I am. but I am. Business isn’t rocket science. It’s courage, creativity, and having the faith to believe you can take that one step.”

To read one of Jo Malone’s advice to a dyslexic entrepreneur, visit EveningStandard.com. Or read more about her success in the cosmetics business here.