Jurassic Coast Designs didn’t begin with a business plan.

It began with glass.

Like many creative journeys, it started with curiosity. I became fascinated by fused glass - the variety, the techniques and the stunning results. How you can take something hard and brittle, then combine and melt it into something eye-catching, curvaceous and colourful. That curiosity led to watching thousands of YouTube videos, finding a second-hand kiln and now thoroughly hooked, to building a studio in the garden.

That studio became the foundation for everything that followed.

From there came fused glass jewellery and decorative pieces. People began asking to buy them so I set up a website. Then came conversations with my husband about creativity, and how many talented artists struggle with production, logistics, and marketing. These are skills I’d learned from previous businesses.

That sparked a bigger idea and Jurassic Coast Designs was created to remove those barriers. Dorset based artists can provide high-resolution images of their work and we turn them into wall art, cards, and homeware. We manage listings, manufacturing, marketing, and fulfilment. The artists retain copyright, earn commission on their products, and affiliate income on wider sales. It leaves them free to create while generating extra income.

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way:

• Start before you feel ready

• Let curiosity lead

• Build systems that support creativity

• Collaboration beats competition

• Not everything needs a perfect plan

What began as a creative experiment has developed into a platform for artists and coastal-inspired design.

Sometimes the best businesses grow organically, one small spark at a time.

And sometimes, all it takes is falling down the right rabbit hole.

CLICK HERE to view guest artist Paul Liggins work

USE the CODE SS10 to get 10% off your order at JurassicCoastDesign.com

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I have written an online course to help authors promote themselves using an automated system. It feeds Substack content out to their other social media platforms using scheduled pipelines and RSS feeds.

Course objectives

• Develop your personal brand as an author.

• Build an author website/blog on Substack.

• Build a profile on Bluesky.

• Create an automated marketing system that feeds content to all your social media using a scheduled plan.

• Engage with readers and build sales.

By using this system you’ll create a potential new revenue stream, save money on your previous website and hosting and gained plenty more time to write!

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Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting approximately 10% of the population, with varying degrees of severity. In the workplace, it can manifest in challenges with reading, writing, organisation, and processing information. However, with the right support, employees with dyslexia can thrive and bring unique skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, and an ability to think outside the box.

For employers, creating an inclusive environment for staff with dyslexia is not only a legal obligation under the Equality Act 2010 but also a moral and strategic opportunity to unlock potential and foster a supportive workplace culture. Here are some ways employers can help their staff who have dyslexia.

1. Foster an Open and Supportive Environment

Creating a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their dyslexia is crucial. Many individuals with dyslexia hesitate to disclose their condition due to fear of stigma or discrimination. Employers can combat this by promoting awareness and ensuring managers understand dyslexia as a learning difference, not a limitation.

Encourage open dialogue, offer confidentiality when employees share their needs, and emphasise a commitment to equal opportunities. Providing training sessions on neurodiversity for staff and management can also help create an informed and empathetic workplace.

2. Offer Reasonable Adjustments

Under UK law, employers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate employees with disabilities, including dyslexia. These adjustments can be tailored to the individual’s needs and might include:

• Assistive Technology: Tools such as speech-to-text software, screen readers, or mind-mapping programs can help employees with reading, writing, and organising information.

• Flexible Deadlines: Allowing extra time for tasks involving significant reading or writing can ease pressure and improve productivity.

• Modified Workspaces: Providing noise-cancelling headphones or quiet work areas can help minimise distractions, as many people with dyslexia find it easier to concentrate in calm environments.

• Accessible Formats: Ensure workplace materials, such as training manuals, presentations, and memos, are available in dyslexia-friendly formats, such as larger fonts, clear layouts, and pastel-coloured backgrounds.

3. Provide Training and Development Opportunities

Employees with dyslexia often excel in areas such as strategic thinking and creative problem-solving, but traditional training methods may not suit their learning style. Offering alternative formats, such as video tutorials, interactive sessions, or hands-on workshops, can make professional development more accessible.

Mentorship programmes can also be invaluable. Pairing employees with dyslexia with supportive colleagues or managers can provide guidance and boost confidence.

4. Reassess Performance Reviews

Standard performance reviews may not always capture the strengths and contributions of employees with dyslexia. Employers should focus on results and overall impact rather than judging employees on tasks that may be influenced by their learning difference, such as error-free spelling or rapid document review.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, consider personalised feedback and collaborative goal-setting to ensure performance reviews reflect an employee’s abilities and achievements.

5. Celebrate Strengths and Neurodiversity

Employees with dyslexia often possess unique strengths, including creativity, lateral thinking, and resilience. Recognising and valuing these attributes can boost morale and encourage greater engagement.

Employers can celebrate neurodiversity through awareness days, success stories, and workshops, creating an environment that values different ways of thinking.

6. Provide Access to External Support

Employers can enhance support by offering access to external resources, such as:

• Dyslexia assessments for employees who may be undiagnosed.

• Occupational health services to identify specific workplace needs.

• Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) with counselling or coaching services.

Organisations such as the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and Access to Work can provide valuable guidance and funding for workplace adaptations, reducing the cost and complexity for employers.

7. Lead by Example

Leadership plays a key role in creating an inclusive workplace. Employers who actively demonstrate their commitment to supporting neurodiverse employees set the tone for the entire organisation. Sharing stories of successful employees with dyslexia or offering visible support through leadership initiatives can encourage others to come forward and seek assistance.

Conclusion

Supporting employees with dyslexia isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating a workplace where everyone can contribute their best. By fostering understanding, making reasonable adjustments, and celebrating the strengths of neurodiversity, employers can help their staff with dyslexia thrive. In doing so, businesses benefit from the full potential of their workforce, cultivating innovation, creativity, and a more inclusive company culture.

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I never knew I could run a business, and my early years didn’t show much promise. As a teenager I was profoundly depressed and spent 6 months in hospital following a suicide attempt. I went from doing 12 ‘O’ levels to leaving school with just two and an ungraded in Maths. My confidence was very low but I got a place on a Silversmithing course at Medway College of Art and Design. It turned out that beating a flat sheet of silver into a coffee pot proved to be great therapy!

This led me to working in Hatton Garden, and after a couple of years, I got a job selling Garrards jewellery on the QE2. I travelled around the world twice and gradually worked my way up to being Shop Manager. I was really surprised to win first and second prize in the company’s suggestion competition, which totalled £1000 – a lot of money back in the 80s. This was probably an early clue that my dyslexic brain was good at seeing opportunities.

I guess the ship life set a pattern, and I continued to be the proverbial rolling stone. I have since lived in Florida, France, Bali, and Dubai—mostly following my ex-husband’s job; he also worked in Duty-Free. Sometimes, I couldn’t work due to immigration restrictions, and then I would get heavily involved in local charities.

There have been many good times and some really hard ones. I struggled with infertility for several years but in 1996 our triplets were born after our first attempt at IVF. We lived in Bali then and benefitted from so much help and the wonderful climate. Then, just before they were two, the Tiger economies collapsed, and my husband was made redundant. We got on a plane with no keys in our pockets as we didn’t own a house or a car, hadn’t got a job to go to, and had three almost two-year-olds. Luckily, my husband soon got another job setting up a beer and wine warehouse in Calais, and we moved to France. However, the weather was cold and bleak, and the children were frequently ill. When I also came down with glandular fever, my mother decided to come and help. Unfortunately, she drove on the wrong side of the road and was killed in the lane outside our house – it was just before the triplet's third birthday.

I remember very clearly deciding that this tragedy mustn’t affect my children’s lives. I’m not religious, but if she could look back, I wanted her to be proud of how I’d coped. She had always encouraged me to write, so I used a little of the money she’d left to sign up for a correspondence writing course and published quite a few articles and stories. After September 11th, I returned to the UK from Dubai to live alone with the children and joined a writers’ group. The leader there encouraged me to do an MA in Creative Writing, and having turned forty, this seemed an incredible opportunity. They accepted my published work instead of a BA, and I started the one-year course – to be honest, it’s the most fun I’ve had with my clothes on! I learned so much, and letting my creative side flow again was incredibly liberating. We learned how to publish a book as part of the course, and I was hooked. I realised being a writer was far too lonely an occupation for me and the bright world of publishing beckoned. I started Accent Press in 2003 in my front bedroom but quickly moved to a tiny office and employed a full-time assistant. Accent Press became known for being nimble and we certainly were quick on the scene when ebooks started. We won numerous publishing awards, and I was even invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen in recognition of my contribution to business in Britain. We had some amazing highs and a fair few lows but I’m incredibly proud of what the team at Accent Press achieved. We created Amazon Number One bestsellers, and for several years, we were part of the Quick Reads scheme, which publishes short books with high-interest content for adult literacy schemes. I saw how those books helped dyslexic adult learners from visiting them in prison. It really brought it home to me how dyslexia can devastate lives if people don’t get the help and support needed.

Accent Press was sold to Headline, part of the Hachette group, in 2020, and since then, I have worked as Jodi Taylor’s agent. Which, as any of you who have read her books will know, is an Honour and a Privilege!

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Many successful dyslexic entrepreneurs have shown that dyslexia can be an asset rather than a hindrance, and there is a growing appreciation of the distinct qualities dyslexic thinkers bring to the business world. Dyslexic individuals are often adept at creative problem-solving, big-picture thinking, and resilience—skills that are critical to entrepreneurial success.

How Dyslexia Can Benefit Businesses and Entrepreneurs:

1. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Dyslexic individuals frequently develop exceptional problem-solving skills as they navigate the challenges of processing information differently. Many report learning to approach problems from fresh angles, which can be invaluable when tackling the complex challenges of starting and growing a business.

2. Big-Picture Thinking: Dyslexic entrepreneurs often demonstrate strong big-picture thinking. Rather than getting bogged down in details, they tend to see overarching concepts and potential connections that others might overlook. This visionary thinking allows them to imagine and create innovative solutions, anticipate market needs, and inspire those around them.

3. Creativity and Innovation: Many people with dyslexia excel in creative and spatial reasoning, leading to high levels of innovation. This skill often manifests in the ability to think "outside the box," which is especially valuable in competitive and rapidly changing industries.

4. Resilience and Adaptability: Having to overcome the hurdles associated with dyslexia can instil a strong sense of resilience and adaptability. These qualities are essential in the entrepreneurial world, where setbacks are common, and adapting and pushing through challenges is key to long-term success.

Several high-profile dyslexic entrepreneurs have leveraged their unique skills to build successful businesses. These individuals serve as role models, illustrating how dyslexia can be an asset rather than a limitation.

Sir Richard Branson

One of the most famous dyslexic entrepreneurs, Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, has spoken openly about how dyslexia has shaped his approach to business. Branson struggled in traditional school settings, and his challenges with reading and writing led him to adopt a unique perspective on problem-solving and communication. Branson credits his dyslexia with honing his skills in delegation and big-picture thinking. Today, Virgin Group encompasses more than 400 companies across various industries, demonstrating Branson’s aptitude for recognising opportunities and assembling talented teams to execute his vision.

Branson is also an advocate for the dyslexic community, supporting initiatives that raise awareness and celebrate dyslexia as a strength. He has frequently noted that dyslexia has made him a better entrepreneur, as it encouraged him to focus on creativity, teamwork, and thinking differently—qualities that have defined the Virgin brand.

Ingvar Kamprad

Ingvar Kamprad, the Swedish founder of IKEA, also credited dyslexia with influencing his innovative business model. Kamprad’s dyslexia inspired him to use visuals rather than words in IKEA’s product instructions, an approach that would become a hallmark of the IKEA brand and contribute to its international appeal. His challenges with reading also led him to adopt product codes based on visual cues and colours, simplifying inventory and cataloguing processes. Kamprad’s approach demonstrates how dyslexia can foster creative solutions that redefine industry standards.

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab, founder of the Charles Schwab Corporation, has dyslexia and has spoken candidly about how it influenced his approach to business and customer service. Schwab’s experience with dyslexia instilled a commitment to making financial services more accessible and understandable. Recognising that clear communication is essential, he built his firm around customer education, transparency, and simplified investment strategies. Today, Schwab is a leader in discount brokerage, reflecting his customer-centric focus born from personal experience with learning challenges.

David Neeleman

JetBlue founder David Neeleman is another successful entrepreneur with dyslexia who attributes his success to thinking differently. Neeleman has spoken about how his dyslexia led him to avoid paperwork and find innovative ways to manage business processes. This preference for efficiency and simplification became a driving force behind JetBlue’s customer-friendly approach. Neeleman’s focus on enhancing the passenger experience, from in-flight entertainment to affordable fares, helped JetBlue stand out in a competitive industry.

The stories of Branson, Kamprad, Schwab, and Neeleman demonstrate how dyslexia can contribute to entrepreneurial success. While dyslexic individuals may face challenges in traditional educational and business environments, their unique thinking styles and abilities to innovate, see the big picture, and develop creative solutions can be tremendous assets in entrepreneurship. Many dyslexic entrepreneurs also report strong verbal communication skills and the ability to inspire and lead teams, further underscoring the strengths that dyslexia can bring to the business world.

Recognising and fostering dyslexic talent is becoming increasingly important, and organisations like Made by Dyslexia advocate for a redefined understanding of dyslexia as a valuable difference rather than a disadvantage. Initiatives like these aim to help businesses appreciate and harness the unique skills that dyslexic employees and entrepreneurs offer, contributing to more inclusive and innovative work environments.

I certainly credit my dyslexia with helping me build a successful publishing company that gained a reputation for innovation in a very traditional industry. We were leaders in embracing eBooks and digital formats, which enabled the company to expand quickly in, what was then, an empty marketplace. I hope this article will help businesses and employers to understand dyslexia better and how it can have very positive benefits within the workforce.

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As a single mother to young triplets, I managed to start a publishing business without any business qualifications and just a very small start-up fund. I know now that if you believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve more than you ever dreamed of.  

If I can do it, you can. The only question you have to ask yourself is, do I want to do it?  

If the answer to this is yes, then keep reading.  If you decide to take control of your destiny and start a business, then this will be a great place to get advice and support.

Mums have the skills to be entrepreneurs.  They already run a corporation, it’s called a household. Organising everything from homework to housekeeping, shopping to shuttling the kids around, you spend your days running from pillar to post.   You have to run your life with military precision, especially if you also have a job.  There aren’t many CEOs who could compete with the average mum. 

What is an entrepreneur?    An entrepreneur is………

A creative multi-tasker who is determined and hard working.

Does this sound familiar?   Does it sound like you?  Well you can take those skills and apply them to make money for yourself and your family.

There are so many things I wish I’d known when I started my company so want to share my experience of other business mums. You probably have lots of questions like…

What qualifications do I need to start a business?

Obviously if you want to set-up as a vet or an accountant then you will need the appropriate qualifications but for most businesses the only qualification you need is a Degree in Life Management , that is, the common sense, multi-tasking, master-of-all, type skills mothers generally have. Good computer and communications skills are pretty essential but otherwise for most businesses you don’t need qualifications.

Having said that you must be prepared to learn new skills so your business can grow. One of my favourite mottos is “Make Everyday a School Day”. It might not be formal learning but you will need to develop your marketing, design and communication skills.

Don’t let the lack of formal qualifications hold you back, it’s you that matters, your ideas, your drive, your ambition. You have your own unique lifetime’s experience to draw on, hard times that have made you resilient, good times that have given you the inspiration and ideas for your business.

Am I too old to start a business?

I doubt it! I was 42 when I launched Accent Press and I know women who have successfully started businesses in their sixties. I do think that everything you learn in life gets poured into the business in the end so sometimes it’s better to have had more to add to the mix. Whatever age you are, you can start a business – remember age is just a number.

“Age is something that doesn’t matter, unless you are a cheese.”

Billie Burke, Actress

Can I really run my own business and still be a great mother?

Absolutely! Imagine your life without your usual commute to work, the frustration and pressure of your job, the constant struggle to find enough hours in the day. It feels better already doesn’t it? Now imagine that each day everything you did benefited your own company, and the satisfaction and pleasure you’d get from that. Imagine your child being ill or you getting snowed in and still being able to achieve everything you need to. It’s much easier to be a great mum when you are feeling happy and fulfilled, and the flexibility of running your own business means you could get more time to spend with your children.

“How do you balance growing the business with raising a family? You just do. I had a business, a lot of orders, and a baby howling for supper. You balance it. You give your baby supper first and then get your orders in. I have worked on more holidays… but what are you going to do?

Lillian Vernon,  Catalogue Merchant and Online Retailer

So if you have decided that running your own business then please subscribe for advice and tips from someone who’s been there.