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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.
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!
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
You can also listen on other platforms and Enterprise Nation.
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