Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathleen Ferrufino, Founder of Dyslexic Labs, located in Austin, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Dyslexic Labs is a way to support other individuals with dyslexia and their families. I have come up with a framework to support other dyslexics to feel empowered easily. I have taken all my experiences and put them together into three parts of the framework. The first part is for families and parents to understand dyslexia and what it truly is. The second part is finding the best support and resources to support dyslexia. The third part is where most people stop and don't do but how to feel empowered by the advantages or strengths of dyslexia. This is something that most individuals with dyslexia have struggled with for years. Like I did. When you put all three things together, you really learn who you 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 were founded by dyslexics, or look at Richard Branson of Virgin Group. There are so many more examples out there.
Tell us about yourself
Growing up, learning to read was a real struggle, and I needed many support and extra resources to get through school. It was frustrating but being the determined person I am. I found a way to succeed and become successful because of my dyslexia. After graduating from college, I was able to hide my dyslexia but didn't feel fulfilled in my current job I was in. So I started to look for something that I would enjoy more. Remembering how so many people helped me, I wanted to give back to the community that gave me so much. I went back to school to get my masters in special education with a concentration in dyslexia. After not feeling full filled again while being a teacher wanted to take time off to spend time with my daughter. While I was pregnant with her, fears set in that I wouldn't be able to fully support her if she had dyslexia. So, I started searching for the best resources and support to help her. Knowing I had all this knowledge and information about dyslexia along with personal experiences, Dyslexic Labs was born to help support others with dyslexia.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment with Dyslexic Labs is helping others see the positive side of dyslexia and that we can do anything we set our minds to. I just love supporting others in ways that others can't because I have been there and know how they are feeling and the support they really need.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a business owner, one of the hardest things I have learned is that you don't get time off in the beginning and will be working more than forty hours a week. If you set boundaries and stick with them, then it will become easier. If you don't have boundaries, your business will run you. One that I have put into place recently is I don't work on Saturdays. This has helped me so much to know it is ok to walk away.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
When starting a business, the top three things that helped me were being consistent - I would show up every day on social media and post every weekday. Find your ideal client, figure out your niche, and speak to that consistently. It is better to be known as the go-to expert for one thing, not everything. With that, show them how you can solve their problem and support them, so they want to come to you for support.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
The best thing to do when creating a business is to keep it as simple as possible and start with one problem and go deep, not wide with that problem. Then slowly, you can start to support in other ways.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.dyslexiclabs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DyslexicLabs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiclabs/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU86_X10yZJQeQXyfh0AoVQ
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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