Overcoming Personal Limitations
A success storyAs told by BJ Ghallagher
Kinko, they nicknamed him as a kid, referring to his head of wild, curly, red hair. Yet, teasing about his kinky red hair was the least of his problems. Paul Orfalea struggled with severe dyslexia and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): He flunked second grade twice, graduated from high school at the bottom of his class, and eked through college with a “C” average. He had a hard time sitting still, and could barely read or write. No one ever voted him “most likely to succeed.”
Paul applied for jobs and managed to get hired twice—but neither job lasted longer than a day. It was clear he wasn’t cut out for traditional employment in a 9-to-5 world. He knew he was different and that somehow he’d have to find his own way in the world.
In 1970, living in a small college town, Paul noticed that there were always long lines at the copy machines. “Too many students and not enough copiers,” he thought to himself. So he borrowed $5000 and opened his own copier business in a tiny little 9x12 foot storefront close to campus. His space was so small that he had to move the copy machine out to the sidewalk to use it. He hawked pens and pencils from his backpack as he stood outside drumming up business.
People told Paul he was crazy, but he’d been hearing that his whole life so he just ignored them. He knew his idea was a good one and he had the determination, energy, and persistence to pursue it despite what anyone said.
He worked long and hard, and within a year, he had made enough money to expand. Ten years later, there were 80 Kinko’s stores in college towns all around the country. In another ten years (1990), that number expanded exponentially to 420 stores. Just seven years later, the stores doubled again to 840!
This curly-headed kid with severe learning disabilities had built himself a hugely successful business simply by seeing a need and filling it. He understood his limitations, so he hired great people to do all the things he couldn’t. He was the idea man—he hired others to execute his plans.
Paul Orfalea went on to establish the Orfalea Family Foundation to support causes he’s passionate about, and in 2005 co-authored a successful book to share his story and inspire others with learning disabilities. (Copy This!—Lessons from a hyperactive dyslexic who turned a bright idea into one of America’s best companies.)
Finally, in 2004, Paul sold Kinko’s to FedEx for $2.4 billion. Not bad for a guy who can’t read or write very well.
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The path of most persistence
There will always be those who will tell you it can’t be done, but throughout history, progress has always come from those who said it could be done.—Mottos for Success (MFS)
The people who accomplish the most do so not because they never run into problems, but because they believe there is a solution for everyone.—MFS
The great men and women of history are remembered not because they never failed, but because they didn’t let their failures stop them. They kept on until they succeeded.—MFS
No one can harvest glory on a bed of feathers. —Author unknown
A single stroke of an axe won’t bring down an oak, but many will.—Spanish proverb
The creative spirit demands persistence. —Author unknown
Success is like buried treasure: Only the most believing and persevering find it.—MFS
Defeat is simply a signal to press onward. —Helen Keller
Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Patience and perseverance surmount every difficulty.—Anonymous
Success should be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles one overcame. —B. T. Washington
Whoever follows patience, success will follow him. —Author unknown
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