Overcoming Childhood Challenges: Dyslexia, ADHD, and a Tough Environment

                          by Ross Duncan

Jamie Waller’s entrepreneurial journey was deeply shaped by the hardships he faced growing up in the London boroughs of Bethnal Green and Hackney during the 1980s. From a young age, Waller struggled with dyslexia and ADHD, conditions that made traditional schooling a constant battle. On top of that, growing up in a tough environment meant learning resilience and survival early on.

These struggles, rather than holding him back, became a source of motivation. As he puts it, “I realised that my way of thinking—my ‘different’ brain—could be my strength, not my weakness.” The determination he developed in those early years fuelled his ambition to succeed, despite the odds stacked against him. His early experiences taught him the importance of persistence and the necessity of creating his own opportunities.

Finding Structure and Purpose Through the Imps Motorcycle Display Team

At 16, Waller left school with no qualifications, but he was determined to succeed. A pivotal moment came when he joined the Imps Motorcycle Display Team, a charity that gave him discipline and a sense of belonging. The experience taught him valuable lessons about teamwork, focus, and achieving the seemingly impossible. These principles became key to his success in the business world, where teamwork and discipline are essential for long-term growth.

Dyslexia: A Hidden Strength in Business

Waller is an outspoken advocate for reframing dyslexia as a strength rather than a weakness. His book, The Dyslexic Edge, challenges the negative perceptions surrounding dyslexia, illustrating how it can be a powerful asset in business. Dyslexic thinkers, as Waller explains, often see the bigger picture and focus on strategy, innovation, and problem-solving. These traits allow them to come up with unique solutions and think outside the box—essential skills for entrepreneurs.

Moreover, Waller’s experience with dyslexia has shaped his leadership style. He acknowledges his own weaknesses, such as attention to detail, and surrounds himself with a team that complements his strengths. By focusing on vision and strategy while delegating tasks that others can execute more efficiently, Waller has become an effective leader.

Breaking Out of the Cycle: A Relentless Drive to Succeed

Growing up in Bethnal Green wasn’t just about surviving a tough neighbourhood; it was also about proving to himself that he could break out of the cycle of hardship. Waller’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when he started a window cleaning business at 16. This venture may have been small, but it taught him the value of hard work and provided his first taste of running a business.

Leaving school with no qualifications meant traditional career paths were out of reach, but this only motivated Waller further. He believed that his real education would come from life experience. “I didn’t want to be defined by what I lacked in formal education—I wanted to be defined by what I could accomplish through grit, creativity, and hard work,” he says. That hunger drove him to build multiple successful businesses, even in industries considered “unsexy.”

Mastering the “Unsexy” Businesses: JBW Group and Beyond

One of Waller’s major business successes was the founding of JBW Group, a debt collection company. He revolutionized the industry by introducing technology and data-driven processes, bringing a level of efficiency and transparency previously unseen in debt recovery. Waller’s approach not only made JBW a market leader but also emphasized fairness and ethical practices in an industry often criticized for its harsh methods.

For Waller, the less glamorous industries, like debt collection, offered the biggest opportunities. These sectors are critical to the economy, but they’re often overlooked by entrepreneurs chasing more glamorous ventures. Waller saw an opening in these “unsexy” industries, focusing on providing value where others saw little potential. This mindset allowed him to grow multiple businesses and ultimately sell JBW for £40 million—a defining moment in his career.

Returning to Education: Overcoming Fear and Growing as a Leader

Despite his business success, Waller remained apprehensive about formal education due to his struggles with dyslexia. However, his time at Cranfield School of Management helped him grow as a leader. The program focused on leadership and practical skills, pushing Waller to confront his fears while developing his ability to ask the right questions and leverage the strengths of those around him.

Giving Back: Empowering the Next Generation

Waller’s entrepreneurial success has allowed him to dedicate significant time and resources to philanthropy, particularly causes that support disadvantaged youth. He sponsors the Imps Motorcycle Display Team and is a key figure in the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Network, which helps young people start and grow their own businesses.

Waller’s commitment to giving back stems from his own experiences. He knows what it’s like to grow up without opportunities and is passionate about creating pathways for the next generation to succeed, regardless of their background or education. His advice to young entrepreneurs is simple: “Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. Just start.”

The Role of Technology in Empowering Entrepreneurs

In his businesses, Waller has embraced technology as a tool for driving innovation and overcoming barriers. Tools like DocuSign and platforms like Twitter and Instagram have played a crucial role in streamlining operations and reaching customers directly, making entrepreneurship more accessible. Waller believes that technology levels the playing field for entrepreneurs, particularly those like him who have faced challenges such as dyslexia.

By integrating tools like AI into his businesses, Waller has disrupted outdated industries and created more efficient, customer-friendly solutions. His use of Salesforce’s AI in Just, his debt recovery marketplace model, is a prime example of how technology can transform traditional processes.

Legacy and Final Thoughts

Looking back on his journey, Waller measures success not just by financial metrics but by the positive impact he has made. He hopes his legacy will be one of resilience and creativity—not just in business but also in empowering others, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with learning differences.

In the business world, Waller wants to be remembered for his innovative mindset and his ability to approach challenges in unconventional ways. But perhaps more importantly, he hopes to leave a lasting impact through his philanthropy and mentoring, helping the next generation of entrepreneurs find their own “edge”—just as he did.