The Small Business Sessions
The Small Business Sessions is a weekly podcast from the Powering Local Businesses programme, created by Enterprise Nation and EDF Small Business in collaboration with Square.
This series explores the practical steps small businesses can take to grow and thrive – from improving energy efficiency and embracing sustainability to creating a lasting impact in their local communities.
The Powering Local Businesses hub supports small businesses, wherever they're based and however they sell, to grow sustainably. Access grants, pop-up shop opportunities, energy-saving guidance, expert workshops and a supportive community.
Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringlocalbusinesses
The Small Business Sessions
Theo Paphitis: Dragons' Den, his dyslexia, the future of the high street and top tips for success | The Small Business Sessions
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
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 converation, Theo discusses his extensive entrepreneurial career with loads of insights and advice. Don't miss this episode!
Topics discussed in the episode include:
- 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 is it 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 imposter syndrome.
- What he thinks about AI.
- His top advice for business success.
----
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.
Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected
Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast
*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN
.png)