Theo Paphitis became a Dragon's Den investor after building the Ryman stationery chain.
Paphitis acquired Ryman, a British stationery retailer, in 1995 when the company was in administration. He expanded and developed the business, making it one of the commercial achievements most closely linked with his public profile.
His retail experience shaped the way he assessed pitches on Dragon's Den. He was particularly well placed to discuss shop locations, customer demand, margins, product presentation and the practical challenges of selling through a retail network.
Ryman is not the same company as Paphitis’s other well-known business interests. His portfolio has included stationery, lingerie and other consumer-focused ventures. The Dragon's Den panel has featured several retail specialists, but Paphitis is the investor most specifically associated with Ryman.