From Stutter to StrategyFrom Stutter to Strategy

From Stutter to Strategy: The Making of a Maori Tech Founder is a raw, honest, and deeply human story of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Born with a speech stutter and raised far from boardrooms and balance sheets, Jay Skipworth grew up learning how to listen before he could speak. That early struggle, once a source of fear and self-doubt, became the foundation of a lifelong strength, empathy, observation, and strategic thinking. This book traces a journey shaped not by straight lines, but by tides. From a childhood grounded in Māori values of whakapapa (identity), whānau (family), and connection to place, through three decades in global telecommunications, to launching tech ventures later in life, Jay shows that success is not about speed or perfection, but persistence. At its heart, From Stutter to Strategy is for: founders who don't fit the stereotype; leaders who've struggled in silence; late starters, career switchers, and quiet thinkers, and anyone who's ever felt underestimated--or unheard. More than a business book, this is a reminder that your voice matters, even if it shakes. That strategy can be born from struggle. And that it's never too late to turn lived experience into meaningful impact. If you've ever felt the future calling softly rather than shouting, this book is for you.