PODCAST

Theo Paphitis: Dragons' Den, dyslexia and the future of the high street | Small Business Sessions (S9E4)

Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

Posted: Wed 5th Nov 2025

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips!

The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Episode four: Theo Paphitis, Dragons' Den investor and entrepreneur

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fourth episode is Theo Paphitis, Dragons' Den investor and entrepreneur.

As one of the UK's most high-profile entrepreneurs, Theo is known as being one of the investors on BBC TV show Dragons' Den. He is also famous for turning around struggling high-street brands like Ryman and Robert Dyas.

Theo does much to support small business owners, including through his #SBS Small Business Sunday community.

In a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation, Theo discusses his extensive entrepreneurial career with loads of insights and advice. Don't miss this episode!

Topics discussed in the episode

His early entrepreneurial experience including running a school tuck shop
The impact of dyslexia on his entrepreneurial career
Transitioning from working as a tea boy to starting his own property finance company at age 23
How he has turned around struggling retail brands like Ryman and Robert Dyas
What it's like running high-street businesses right now and what the government needs to do to support them
Stories from TV's Dragons' Den
Why he started his Small Business Sunday competition in 2010
Why he still gets impostor syndrome
What he thinks about AI
His top advice for business success

Listen to the audio podcast

Where to listen, watch and subscribe

You can also listen on other platforms and Enterprise Nation.

You can watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube.

Want to boost your digital skills?

Join 800,000+ small businesses already benefiting from free expert-led workshops, resources and tools. Sign up to business.connected for free

Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

I'm a freelance content creator and event host who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's news reporter and as the host of the Small Business sessions podcast. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

Get business support right to your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive business tips, learn about new funding programmes, join upcoming events, take e-learning courses, and more.

Start your business journey today

Take the first step to successfully starting and growing your business.

Join for free