How one woman managed to create a $36 million company, despite her handicap.

With a $2,000 loan from my mother, I have grown my Tempe-based firm, Terri’s Consign & Design Furnishings, into the largest U.S. resale furniture retailer, with 16 stores and $36 million in annual sales. And I’ve done it despite my dyslexia.

I wasn’t always open about my learning disability. Because I was teased in school, I became a master at “faking it until you make it.” In meetings I’d pretend I could read the papers being passed out.

In reality I was hanging onto everyone’s words, hoping to keep up. I was also embarrassed by my handwriting - it’s cursive until I get confused. Then I resort to print. I’d make excuses for not writing things out. “Oh, you couldn’t read my writing anyway - I’ll just tell you!”

But when Terri’s Consign opened its first franchise, I realized that I didn’t have to fake it anymore. I had made it. So I decided to be upfront about my dyslexia and finally began to run my business on my terms.

When we needed a manual for future franchisees, I was totally honest, and said I couldn’t do it. Instead, I hired a writer. To teach my staff the manual’s contents, I got an 11- by 14-inch sketchpad and drew it all out.

All my presentations - even the ones I give to the bank - are done in crayon and pencil. It seems odd, but using color helps me get the full picture and distinguish concepts. With illustrations in hand, I meet with my top four executives to explain the ideas. They in turn pass my thoughts on to their departments - either verbally or in art form. If it’s the latter, my assistant, who is also a graphic designer, turns my drawings into polished posters.