Theo Paphitis

Theo Paphitis (born September 24, 1959, in Limassol, Cyprus) is a British-Cypriot entrepreneur and retail magnate renowned for his appearances on the BBC business program Dragons' Den. After moving to the UK at age six, he faced challenges due to dyslexia but overcame them to become a self-made millionaire. Paphitis began his career in retail at 18 and later revitalized several brands, including Ryman, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue, and La Senza. He also served as chairman of Millwall Football Club from 1997 to 2006, leading them to the FA Cup Final in 2004. Famous Entrepreneurs+102025/2026 Mabumbe+10+10Bookey+11+11Theo Paphitis Retail Group+11

In 2018, Paphitis was appointed Chancellor of Solent University, reflecting his commitment to education and entrepreneurship. He is also the founder of the Theo Paphitis Charitable Trust, which supports various causes, particularly children's charities. Through his #SBS (Small Business Sunday) initiative, he has helped thousands of small businesses gain exposure and grow. +1Theo Paphitis Retail Group+1+2Spring Fair 2025+2

Notable Quotes by Theo Paphitis:

“Making the first million is hard; making the next 100 million is easy.” BrainyQuote

“The thing I preach constantly is do your research; build your knowledge base. Don't just go into business on a whim or a prayer.” A-Z Quotes+2+2

“You can have a worldwide shop from your bedroom. You can do things that weren't even dreamed of when I started off in business. It's why technology is the most wonderful thing for small businesses.” A-Z Quotes+1

Paphitis' journey from humble beginnings to business success underscores the value of perseverance, strategic thinking, and a commitment to supporting others in their entrepreneurial endeavors.TheDacian