Resilience and Entrepreneurship with Jamie Waller
RESILIENCE & ENTREPRENEUR-SHIP WITH JAMIE WALLER
EPISODE 054 | APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY
In this episode, I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with Jamie Waller, an entrepreneur whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Jamie’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and redefining the narrative around dyslexia and adversity. From a tough childhood in East London, facing challenges like dyslexia, ADHD, poverty, and a turbulent home life, Jamie transformed these obstacles into the driving force behind his success. Today, he’s a multi-millionaire entrepreneur who has not only built successful businesses but also changed the industries he’s worked in.
“I was born dyslexic, ADHD, colourblind, and poor. So, you know, I really had to play life’s lottery to come out to where I have today. But it wasn’t purely through determination and hard work—I was very fortunate along the way.”
Life has a way of throwing challenges our way, but how we respond to those challenges often defines our future. Jamie Waller’s story is a perfect example of this. Growing up in East London in the 1980s, Jamie faced a mountain of obstacles: dyslexia, ADHD, poverty, and a tumultuous home life. Yet, through sheer determination, creativity, and a refusal to be boxed in by his circumstances, he has become a successful entrepreneur and a beacon of inspiration for many. We dive into Jamie’s incredible journey—from the gritty streets of East London to the world of business and beyond.
“Overnight, I went from making thousands a week to making nothing. But rather than give up, I saw it as an opportunity to pivot, and that’s exactly what I did. I changed the entire industry, introducing regulations and pushing for better practices”
A TOUGH START
Jamie’s childhood in Bethnal Green, East London, was anything but easy. Born in 1979, he was raised in a community that was far from the trendy, gentrified area it is today. Back then, Bethnal Green was known for its rough edges, and Jamie’s early years were marked by the challenges of growing up in a working-class family.
“I was born dyslexic, ADHD, colourblind, and poor,” Jamie recalls with a mix of humour and honesty. It’s a statement that encapsulates the tough hand he was dealt, but it also hints at the resilience that would later define his life. Living in a small flat above a shop, Jamie was exposed to a chaotic environment, often punctuated by visits from the police. His mother, who was in an abusive relationship, did her best to provide for him, but life was undeniably hard.
A LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY
Jamie’s life took a significant turn at the age of five when his mother stumbled upon a local fete in Hackney. There, they encountered a motorcycle display team known as the Imps. This group, which trained children from inner-city London to perform stunts on motorcycles, was more than just a distraction—it was a lifeline.
The Imps offered Jamie an escape from his challenging home life, providing him with a sense of purpose and discipline that he desperately needed. “It was in the Imps that I really learned leadership skills and discipline,” Jamie explains. The team operated with a military-like structure, and Jamie quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the team captain.
For 11 years, Jamie spent nearly every weekend and school holiday with the Imps, traveling across the UK to perform at various events. This experience broadened his horizons, allowing him to see a world beyond the confines of Bethnal Green. It also instilled in him a love for risk-taking and adventure—traits that would later become central to his entrepreneurial success.
“The Imps provided me with an escape from my chaotic home life and a real sense of how social mobility can work through the charitable sector. It taught me leadership, discipline, and how to see beyond the limits of my environment.”
THE STRUGGLES OF SCHOOL & THE REALITY OF DYSLEXIA
While the Imps provided Jamie with a sense of belonging and purpose, school was a different story. His dyslexia made traditional education a constant struggle, and he often found himself at odds with a system that didn’t understand or accommodate his learning differences. “I attempted to sit my first GCSE,” Jamie recalls, “but I was disqualified for cheating because I wrote my name on the desk with a marker before the exam started. That was the final straw for me.”
The disqualification marked the end of Jamie’s formal education, but it was also the beginning of his journey into the world of work. Feeling betrayed by a system that didn’t recognise his potential, Jamie decided to leave school and enter the workforce at the age of 16.
“Dyslexia is nothing more than a byproduct of being born as an explorer. It’s not a disability; it’s a different way of thinking that allows us to see opportunities where others see obstacles”
FROM BRICKLAYING TO BUSINESS: THE EARLY VENTURES
Jamie’s first job was as a labourer on a building site, where he earned £35 a day carrying bricks. It wasn’t glamorous, but it provided him with a sense of independence and a taste of financial freedom. His work ethic quickly earned him a promotion to night shifts in demolition, where he was paid £80 a day. For a 16-year-old, this was a significant sum, and it fuelled his desire to continue earning and building something of his own.
But Jamie wasn’t content with just working for others. He had an entrepreneurial spirit that pushed him to explore new opportunities. His first venture was a window cleaning business, which he started with little more than a ladder, some buckets, and a lot of determination. “I knocked on doors and quickly learned the ropes,” Jamie says. His ability to hustle and his refusal to accept no for an answer helped him build a steady client base.
After a year, Jamie sold the window cleaning business for £5,500 and used the money to start a car sales business. This new venture was a leap into the unknown, but Jamie’s creativity and resourcefulness paid off. He even found ways to maximize profits by renting out cars that weren’t selling quickly, further demonstrating his knack for finding innovative solutions to everyday problems.
“I was driven by a huge sense of injustice. How dare you? You have got my entire future in your hands, and you chose to do that. And the way you really get somebody back is to prove them wrong.”
A SUDDEN SETBACK: RED LINES & NEW BEGINNINGS
Just as Jamie’s car business was starting to take off, a sudden change threatened to derail everything. Without warning, Transport for London introduced double red lines on the road where his business was located, making it impossible for customers to stop and view the cars. “Overnight, I went from making thousands a week to making nothing,” Jamie remembers.
Rather than give up, Jamie pivoted once again. He saw an opportunity in the burgeoning debt recovery industry and quickly set up a new business. This venture not only became profitable, but it also allowed Jamie to influence and improve industry standards. “I changed the entire industry,” Jamie says proudly, “introducing regulations and pushing for better practices.”
After 12 years, Jamie sold this business for over £40 million, marking his first significant financial success. It was a moment of triumph, but it was also a testament to his resilience and ability to adapt in the face of adversity.
EMBRACING DYSLEXIA: A STRENGTH, NOT A WEAKNESS
Throughout his journey, Jamie’s dyslexia was both a challenge and a hidden strength. For years, he kept his dyslexia a secret, fearing it would be seen as a weakness. But as he grew more confident in his abilities, Jamie began to embrace his dyslexia as a unique way of thinking—one that allowed him to see opportunities where others saw obstacles.
In recent years, Jamie has become a vocal advocate for changing the narrative around dyslexia. His book, The Dyslexic Edge, co-authored with Dr. Helen Taylor, explores the idea that dyslexia is not a disability but rather a different cognitive style that can be incredibly valuable, especially in entrepreneurship. “Dyslexia is nothing more than a byproduct of being born as an explorer,” Jamie explains. This reframe has the potential to change how dyslexia is perceived and how individuals with dyslexia are supported, both in education and in the workplace.
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: JAMIE’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Jamie’s advocacy doesn’t stop with his book. He is passionate about driving systemic change in how we understand and support dyslexia. His vision is for a world where the term “dyslexia” is no longer associated with disability but is instead recognised as a strength—a different way of thinking that can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Jamie believes that the education system needs a complete overhaul to be truly inclusive. He envisions a future where learning is tailored to different cognitive styles, where traditional reading and writing are not the only measures of intelligence or potential. “We need to reimagine the education system,” Jamie says. “It wasn’t designed for everyone, and it’s time we fixed that.”
“I don’t want to see the word ‘dyslexia’ replaced; I want to see it forgotten. We should be recognised for our strengths as explorers, not labeled by a term that doesn’t capture our true potential.”
CONCLUSION: LESSONS FROM JAMIE;S JOURNEY
Jamie Waller’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and the power of a growth mindset. From his early years in Bethnal Green to his successful ventures in business, Jamie has never stopped pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. His journey reminds us that success is not about where you start but about how you respond to the challenges along the way.
Whether you’re facing your own struggles with dyslexia, navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, or simply looking for inspiration, Jamie’s story offers valuable lessons. Embrace your unique strengths, don’t be afraid to take risks, and always keep pushing forward—because, as Jamie has shown, even the toughest challenges can lead to the most rewarding successes.
“I’m so curious, which means I love talking to young people, old people, people from all walks of life. My brain is not designed to stay with people just like me—I’m designed to be exploring, learning, and understanding different perspectives.”