We recently connected with Kathleen Ferrufino and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathleen, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Dyslexia can be a curse and a blessing at the same time. Most individuals see it as a curse. Growing up I viewed it as a curse and felt like I was on an island by myself. Only a few individuals I knew had dyslexia and they were all adults who only talked about it affecting them when they were in school.

Growing up all I wanted was to fit in at school and for it to be easy like it was for everyone else. Not realizing that I was born to stand out and make a difference.

After I graduated college, I decided I wouldn’t talk about dyslexia anymore because it only affects you when learning and in school. I don’t know we’re I got this but I truly believed it would go away and not affect me any more.

The day I realized my dyslexia affects me in a different way was a really disappointing day. I didn’t know what todo and was upset.

After becoming a special education teacher I had a special place for anyone with dyslexia. Then, one day over two years ago my life changed forever. I was teaching a class on preparing for college with dyslexia and what accommodations work best. One of the follow up questions was should we be studying the advantages of dyslexia. I thought “what, advantages” in my head. I said yes! Learn the advantages of dyslexia. Thinking is that a real thing. Later that night I took to Google to figure it out and discovered the advantages. My life was forever changed.

For the first time, I felt like my dyslexia was an advantage and I was born to stand out. Others with dyslexia need to feel like this also. How could I share the advantages of dyslexia with others so they could feel empowered earlier. That is when I created Dyslexic Labs to help others better understand their dyslexia.

I spent the next two years researching and sharing how we have advantages. Then helping other dyslexic realize their full potential one person at a time.

Kathleen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Dyslexic Labs is a way to support other individuals with dyslexia. I have developed a framework based off my experiences and knowledge to easily support other dyslexics and help them fell empowered. I have taken all my experiences and put them together into three parts of the framework. The first part is understanding dyslexia, what it truly is. The second part is finding the best support and resources for you. The third part is learning about the advantages and your particular strengths. Where you shift from hating your dyslexia to embracing and feeling empowered. When you put all three things together, you learn who you really are. The best part is dyslexia thinking is the way of the future that companies are slowly starting to realize they need. (Examples of this are Microsoft and Apple both companies have been founded by dyslexics or look at Richard Branson of Virgin Group. There are so many more examples out there.)

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I started I wanted to help others be successful at college with their dyslexia. After creating a course, resources, and presentation information. I discovered that individuals with dyslexia didn’t need my help, they had already found their own way to be successful. Who needed my help was parents and younger student who were just starting their dyslexia journey. So I went back to the drawing board and created a business to support others. I learned to spend extra time on market research to see if your idea really is needed or can you tweak your idea to make is something others need support with. This is really hard to do when you are just starting out.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

When it comes to building my reputation, showing up with adding value for free really helps. Also, providing quick wins to help your ideal client feel supported. When you provide these two things on a consistent basis you will a loyal following of supporters and individuals who need your help.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dyslexiclabs.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiclabs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DyslexicLabs
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU86_X10yZJQeQXyfh0AoVQ

Image Credits
I took them myself, you are good!