Theo Paphitis, renowned retail tycoon, initially hesitated when approached to join ‘Dragons’ Den’ due to his aversion to appearing on television. Despite his reservations, he eventually agreed to audition and became a prominent figure on the show for eight years. Paphitis faced challenges during his early seasons, but he persisted and developed a set of criteria for investing in individuals he admired, emphasizing character over exceptional ideas. Inspired by his own entrepreneurial journey, Paphitis launched #SBS Small Business Sunday to support and promote small businesses.