How I became successful: because I had nothing to lose...

by Mark Scott, a guest contributor

When he left school at 16 with no GCSEs, Mark felt like a failure - but he turned his problems to his advantage, and encourages others to do the same

School wasn’t just challenging, it was frustrating and disheartening. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep up. I struggled with reading, spelling, and holding information in my head. Placed in groups where aspirations were low, I felt overlooked and misunderstood.

At the time, I believed my lack of qualifications would hold me back forever. But in hindsight, I see that failing at school was the best thing that ever happened to me. It forced me to rethink success and create my own future.

Turning frustration into determination

School didn’t teach me much academically, but it did teach me resilience. Years of struggling gave me a toughness I didn’t realise I’d need. When the traditional education route wasn’t an option, I decided to carve my own path. I started working in hospitality, where practical skills mattered more than academic qualifications. I thrived in this hands-on environment, learning how to communicate, solve problems, and work hard. Over time, I discovered I had a knack for spotting opportunities and connecting with people - skills that would later fuel my success as an entrepreneur.

Building my future

Without GCSEs or a clear career path, I had nothing to lose. This freedom gave me the courage to take risks. At 21, I launched my first business. It wasn’t perfect, and I made plenty of mistakes, but those early experiences were invaluable.

I learned to adapt, persevere, and think creatively - all essential for anyone with dyslexia. Over the years, I have started several businesses, each teaching me something new. My most recent success, Bella and Duke, is a natural pet food company that I grew from an idea to a thriving business with £30 million annual turnover. None of this happened because I followed the traditional route - it happened because I was willing to take my own.

Dyslexia as a strength

Only recently, at 50, did I receive a formal identification of dyslexia. For most of my life, I thought I just wasn’t good enough at traditional academic skills. But the identification reframed my struggles: dyslexia isn’t just a challengeit’s also a gift to me.

Because of my dyslexia, I approach problems from unique angles and see opportunities others might overlook. It’s helped me think outside the box and develop creative solutions. Dyslexia also taught me to surround myself with brilliant people who complement my strengths and cover my weaknesses, such as writing, spelling, or managing fine details.

Why I’m sharing my story

I’m sharing this story because I know there are others like me who feel stuck because school didn’t work for them. To anyone in that position, I want you to know: your struggles don’t define you. In fact, they could be your greatest strength. Dyslexia can feel like a burden in a world designed for traditional learners, but it can also be a strength. The skills you develop to navigate your challenges - resilience, creativity, and adaptability - are the same skills that lead to success in life. If you’re willing to embrace who you are and take risks, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. I didn’t succeed in spite of my failures; I succeeded because of them. And so can you.