Jo Malone MBE

At school, I struggled. I didn’t understand it then, but I was, and still am, severely dyslexic. I knew I was smart, but nobody else could see it. I remember at primary school being caught copying during a test, I couldn’t read the questions and I couldn't bare being at the bottom of the class. The teacher made me stand on my chair and as I felt the full force of humiliation she said: “Jo Malone, you will never make anything of your life, you are lazy and you are stupid.” and that stuck with me. I never let that define me, I knew I wasn't lazy and I knew I wasn't stupid I just couldn't do it in the same way. 

 

Never allow yourself to be defined by other people's opinions. 

 

Dyslexia did not hold me back I did things differently and that gave me an edge. Not everybody can do everything so find help, find somebody that can do things you can't. Dyslexia is not a disability it's the ability to think differently. 

 

Words are taken from a podcast interview with Holly Tucker - Conversations of Inspiration. You can listen to the full interview here Holly Tucker: Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves - The Spirit Required To Build Iconic Brands