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Dyslexia is my superpower: From struggling student to celebrity stylist

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Sam Bell, who was diagnosed with dyslexia and struggled in school, now runs a successful hair salon in Bristol, England.
  • She found her calling in hairdressing after being hired as an apprentice at 17, discovering her outgoing personality was an asset.
  • Bell now employs apprentices and believes her dyslexia gives her imagination and communication skills, calling it her

Sam Bell, once labeled "too loud, too naughty, too intense" by her teachers and struggling with dyslexia, has transformed her life into a success story. Now 47, she owns a thriving hair salon in Bristol, England, and has styled hair for film, television, and fashion weeks in major global cities. Bell also dedicates time to mentoring apprentices, helping others like her find their path.

I didn't want to be a hairdresser. But my mother was going to kick me out of the house if I didn't get a job.

— Sam BellRecounting her initial reluctance to enter the hairdressing profession.

Her journey into hairdressing began at 17 when she sought work, not out of passion, but necessity. Facing eviction if she didn't find employment, she was hired as an apprentice for a modest weekly wage. To her surprise, she discovered a passion for the job, which involved chatting with clients while washing their hair and sweeping floors. "I loved it, and it was very liberating to finally be told I was good at something," she told the BBC.

I loved it, and it was very liberating to finally be told I was good at something.

— Sam BellDescribing her feelings upon discovering her aptitude for hairdressing.

Bell recounts her school days as a period of struggle, particularly with reading aloud in class, which she found "terrifying." She intentionally misbehaved to get out of lessons, as she knew she couldn't read as well as her peers and feared mockery. "Nobody ever realized I was dyslexic," she said. Today, she views her dyslexia not as a deficit, but as a powerful asset. "I think being dyslexic is my superpower," she expressed. "I have more imagination than other people and I'm very good at communicating."

I was terrified to read aloud in class. I knew I couldn't read as well as the others, and the other children would make fun of me.

— Sam BellRecalling her struggles with reading in school due to dyslexia.

After more than a decade at her first salon, Bell opened her own establishment in 2009. Her career has seen her style the hair of celebrities and actors for television and film, and work on fashion shows in London, Paris, New York, and Milan. She continues to give back by hiring apprentices annually, fostering talent and providing opportunities for individuals who may face similar challenges.

I think being dyslexic is my superpower. I have more imagination than other people and I'm very good at communicating.

— Sam BellExpressing her current positive view of her dyslexia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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