Emma Grede, co-founder of the popular apparel brand Skims, attributes her business success to her experiences with dyslexia, a learning difference that affects reading capabilities. Diagnosed in her late 20s, Grede describes the moment as “the most freeing thing” in her life. Reflecting on her school years, she recalls the significant challenges she faced, noting that dyslexia was often overlooked in educational settings.
According to the Mayo Clinic, dyslexia arises from differences in brain areas that process language. Grede, now 43, recalls feeling like a “lazy learner,” believing she wasn’t intelligent or capable due to her struggles with traditional learning methods. Despite this, she describes herself as a “relentless trier,” showcasing her determination. “I think that my natural resilience is quite hard,” Grede explains. “I would just keep going and going.”
Dyslexia as a “Superpower”
Grede views her dyslexia as a “superpower” that has significantly influenced her approach to problem-solving in business. She emphasizes that the challenges posed by dyslexia forced her to develop unique strategies. “I have a very straightforward way of thinking about things and attacking problems,” she states. “Because for me, I had to find work-arounds.”
Her perspective highlights the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges. Grede advises others facing similar struggles to practice self-kindness. “You have to be kind to yourself,” she suggests. “I talk to myself like a really good friend. I’m really nice to myself.”
She attributes her ability to navigate obstacles to her understanding of her dyslexia. “Being different didn’t ever mean being less,” she reflects. “It was really about having an element of kindness to me and also just an element of honesty.”
From Struggles to Strengths
Grede’s journey in the business world began after she dropped out of college. Encouraged by her boyfriend at the time, she underwent testing for dyslexia and received her diagnosis. Upon learning about her condition, she recognized the symptoms reflected her experiences, including difficulties with reading comprehension and switching letters and words.
Despite the challenges, Grede has transformed her dyslexia into strengths that enhance her effectiveness as a businesswoman. She highlights the “real storytelling” skills that dyslexia fosters, enabling her to convey complex ideas without necessarily relying on written communication. This ability, she believes, is crucial in marketing and pitching to executives.
Dyslexia can also cultivate attributes like curiosity, imagination, and exceptional empathy. Grede underscores the value of these traits in the workplace, stating, “I always hire deliberately for differences.” She believes diverse perspectives are vital for successful teams. “You want different educational backgrounds, different economic circumstances, and people that learn differently,” she explains. “The more viewpoints that are at the table, the better you’ll be able to defend your position in whatever you’re doing.”
Supporting the Next Generation
As a mother to an 11-year-old son who also has dyslexia, Grede is dedicated to ensuring he has a more supportive experience than she did. Her son received an early diagnosis, allowing access to essential technology and tutoring that were unavailable to her.
“I’ll do anything to make things easier for him,” she asserts. Grede aims to instill a positive outlook on dyslexia in her son, emphasizing that it can be an asset rather than a drawback. “This is actually going to be amazing for you in ways that you can’t yet quite understand,” she tells him.
Reflecting on her own childhood, Grede would advise her younger self to embrace her unique learning style. “Be grateful,” she would say. “You’ll have perseverance, and you’ll have a broader view of what it means to be intelligent because of your learning differences.”
Grede’s journey illustrates how embracing dyslexia can lead to remarkable achievements, reshaping challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth.
