Theo Paphitis acquired Ryman in 1995, helping build his retail business career before Dragon's Den.
Ryman is a British stationery retailer. Paphitis bought the chain during the 1990s and expanded his involvement in retail through later acquisitions and business interests. The deal became a prominent part of the business career that eventually led to his role as an investor on Dragon's Den.
Ryman should not be confused with WHSmith, Staples or Paperchase. All are associated with stationery or office supplies, but they are separate businesses with different ownership histories. Paphitis's later retail portfolio also included other recognised British brands.
His Dragon's Den appearances drew on this practical retail experience. He often examined distribution, margins, branding and the route from a promising product to a scalable shop or online business.