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Lighthouse Family Lifted 4,438 in 2023
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has become like a steadfast family member to the 4,438 people who it lifted out of dark places through the...
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Concentrate On Neurodiversity For A Better Business
The founder of upcycling company Green Doors has stories to tell about how dyslexia and ADHD have proven invaluable in battling a wasteful industry.
Joseph Holman’s sustainable door and window business turns over close to £2m – but Holman’s journey was never clearcut.
Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia at the age of seven, Holman struggled at school. He says: “Looking back, all my childhood I assumed I wouldn't get anywhere due to my disabilities. I was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD when I was seven years old and struggled throughout school, being given extra time in exams and attending special lessons.
“I later realised that, mentally, this didn't give me a good start. It was programmed into me that I was considered not as intelligent as others and I always doubted myself on decisions I made.”
Seed of success
In spite of these early struggles, Holman now attributes his business success to his neurodiversity. He says: “My dyslexia and ADHD have given me the ability to see the bigger picture, think differently and take risks. From an early age, I would spot opportunities where others wouldn’t.
“In year seven, I was selling sweets and chocolate bars to my classmates and had days where I made £20-£30 profit.
“Later, I would sell items for people in my town and was known as ‘The eBay King’, taking a percentage cut of the sale. Soaps to statues, baths to bikes, you name it, I had sold it and had a story to go with it.”
Side hustles
Over time, Holman’s buying and selling successes grew and by the age of 16 he had saved up around £20,000 from all of his side hustles. However, it was while walking past a skip in 2014 that Holman was inspired to set up Green Doors.
“Walking past a skip, I noticed a set of modern, white PVC-U French doors. I dug them out, loaded them onto my mate's plumbing van, cleaned them up and advertised them on eBay. They sold the next day for hundreds of pounds.”
Holman spent days scouring skips for more doors but soon found a mountain of doors and windows destined for landfill outside a store. He bought the lot from the owner.
With this stock secured, Holman founded his company with a plan to disrupt a wasteful industry.
Behaviour change
“These days, I’m not motivated by money, instead I’m determined to change the behaviour of the construction industry.
“Last year, we rescued over 3,000 items and turned over nearly two million, all from zero investment. Yes, Green Doors literally grew out of a skip and it’s because I was able to see value where others couldn’t.
“Without these ‘superpowers’, as Sir Richard Branson would say, I wouldn't have had the ability to dream, see the bigger picture and confidence to take risks. It’s my neurodiversity that’s been the secret to my success.”
Dyslexia Awareness Week
Dyslexia Awareness Week runs from October 7-13 and this year’s theme is What’s Your Story?
Meanwhile, ADHD Awareness Month runs throughout October. The 2024 ADHD Awareness Month theme is Awareness is Key!
Picture: Joseph Holman of Green Doors.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
27th September 2024