From Dyslexia to Success: The Inspiring Journey of Stand4Socks Founder Josh Turner
Josh Turner, the founder of Stand4Socks, has transformed a simple idea into a thriving social enterprise that's making a difference one pair of socks at a time. Despite facing challenges as a dyslexic entrepreneur, Josh's story is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the power of social impact.
Early Struggles and the Birth of Stand4 Socks
Diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of seven, Josh struggled in school. However, his entrepreneurial spirit shone through from an early age. At just five years old, he began collecting items from around his home to sell back to his family, showcasing his innate business acumen.
At 24, while surviving on benefits, Josh had a eureka moment. After a few pints at a pub, he conceived the idea of creating socks that could change the world. Inspired by his work coach and supported by the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) program, Josh received £3,000 to kickstart his venture.
Josh's journey began humbly in his mother's garden shed, which served as his first office1. He later moved operations to his apartment, where two walls of his bedroom were stacked floor to ceiling with over 8,000 pairs of socks.
Stand4Socks was founded in 2015 with a simple yet powerful ethos: every business can have a positive impact on the world. The company's "buy a pair, give a pair" model ensures that for every pair of socks sold, one is donated to a homeless charit
Stand4Socks Today
Today, Stand4Socks has grown into a successful social enterprise with a global reach. The company achieved a milestone in 2023 by becoming a Certified B Corporation, joining a movement of businesses that balance purpose and profit.
Stand4Socks now offers a wide range of products, from vibrant city skylines to sports-themed socks, all designed to make a statement while supporting important causes. The company has donated nearly 700,000 pairs of specially engineered antibacterial socks to those in need over the past six years.
Josh's vision has expanded beyond just socks. He aims to make Stand4Socks the world's first carbon-negative sock brand on a global scale. The company continues to innovate, recently winning awards for Apparel Product of the Year and Innovative Product of the Year at the 2024 BPMA Awards.
From a young dyslexic entrepreneur working out of his mother's garden shed to the founder of a successful, socially responsible global brand, Josh Turner's journey with Stand4Socks is an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and social impact.
Made by Dyslexia
Josh Turner has recently been featured in “Lessons In Dyslexic Thinking” by Made By Dyslexia. He talks about approaching challenges with creativity, foster innovation across all aspects of the business, leveraging their deep empathy to truly grasp and address their customers' needs, among other topics!
You can check it out in Apple, Spotify or Amazon: https://apple.co/3P2uX6m
Or watch it here: bit.ly/3DuQbXQ
Final Thoughts
Josh Turner's journey from a dyslexic entrepreneur to the founder of Stand4Socks exemplifies the unique strengths that individuals with dyslexia can bring to the business world. Like many successful dyslexic entrepreneurs before him, such as Sir Richard Branson and Steve Jobs, Josh has leveraged his ability to see the bigger picture and approach challenges with creativity to foster innovation across all aspects of his business.
His deep empathy has allowed him to truly grasp and address his customers' needs, while his strong sense of social justice has driven him to use his skills for meaningful change. Josh's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those with dyslexia, demonstrating that perceived challenges can be transformed into powerful assets in the pursuit of success and positive impact.
