Emma Grede, the co-founder of Skims and a prominent figure on the television show “Shark Tank,” attributes her business success to her experience with dyslexia. Diagnosed in her late 20s, Grede has described this learning difference as a “superpower” that has shaped her approach to problem-solving and resilience in the competitive business world.
Reflecting on her early academic struggles, Grede, now 43, recalls feeling inadequate throughout her schooling. She noted that students were rarely tested for dyslexia, which affects reading abilities due to differences in the brain’s language processing areas. “Back then, I thought I was always a lazy learner,” she explained, adding, “I thought I wasn’t smart, and I thought I wasn’t that capable.”
Despite these challenges, Grede developed a relentless determination, stating, “I think that my natural resilience is quite hard, so I would just keep going and going and going.” This perseverance has been pivotal in her entrepreneurial journey, leading her to view her dyslexia as a unique advantage.
Resilience and Self-Compassion in Overcoming Barriers
In her experience, Grede has found that dyslexia often comes with feelings of shame and frustration. To counter these feelings, she advises others to practice self-kindness. “You have to be kind to yourself,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of self-talk. “I talk to myself like a really good friend. I’m really nice to myself.” This compassionate approach has allowed her to frame her challenges positively, understanding that being different does not equate to being less capable.
She has learned that true resilience is built through facing challenges rather than avoiding them. “You get resilient from doing a lot of stuff and failing,” she noted. This philosophy has helped Grede navigate the complexities of the business landscape, ultimately shaping her successful career.
Dyslexia as a Catalyst for Creative Problem-Solving
Grede’s journey into the business world was marked by her decision to drop out of college and pursue entrepreneurship. It was during this time that she began to explore her dyslexia, encouraged by her then-boyfriend to undergo testing. Upon receiving her diagnosis, Grede recognized her symptoms manifested in various ways, such as switching letters and words, struggling with reading comprehension, and experiencing numerical challenges.
Despite these difficulties, Grede discovered that dyslexia fostered her strengths as a businesswoman. She believes that individuals with dyslexia develop a unique storytelling ability and creative problem-solving skills, which have proven invaluable in professional settings. “The first thing that you learn is real storytelling, an ability to convey your ideas outside of having to write them down,” she explained.
Her success in marketing showcases how she utilized “big-picture thinking” to communicate effectively with executives and investors. Grede emphasizes that attributes often associated with dyslexia, such as curiosity and excellent reasoning skills, contribute significantly to workplace dynamics.
Now, more than ever, she advocates for the value of individuals with dyslexia in the corporate sector. “I always hire deliberately for differences,” Grede stated. “When you’re putting together a team that is going to be highly successful, they need to be able to mirror the consumer that they’re serving.” She believes that diverse educational backgrounds and learning styles enrich team collaboration and enhance problem-solving capabilities.
Grede’s commitment to supporting dyslexic individuals extends to her family, particularly her 11-year-old son, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at a much younger age than she was. She is dedicated to ensuring he has access to the resources and technology that can alleviate the struggles she faced. “When you’ve got a child, you’ll do anything to make things easier for them,” she said, expressing her determination to help him understand that dyslexia can be an asset rather than a limitation.
Looking back at her own journey, Grede advises her younger self to embrace her challenges. “You’ll have perseverance, and you’ll have a broader view of what it means to be intelligent because of your learning differences,” she reflected. “I would tell myself to be grateful for it because it’s going to give birth to all of these things that you just don’t know yet.”
Through her experiences, Emma Grede not only highlights the potential of individuals with dyslexia but also sets an example of resilience and innovation in the business world. Her story serves as an inspiration for many who face similar challenges, demonstrating that with the right mindset, obstacles can transform into strengths.
