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Enter The Dragon: How I Transformed My Life And How You Can Too
Theo Paphitis is the outspoken and charismatic star of Dragons' Den who has turned round a string of household names, from Ryman to La Senza, in a high-profile business career that has brought him millions. Now, in his revealing and controverisal memoir, he not only takes the reader behind the scenes on Dragons' Den, he explains how he made his fortune. He also provides a masterclass in business methods that will enable anyone who reads this book to learn so much about how they too can improve their business. In the book, Theo recalls how his family moved to England from Cyprus and how as a poor immigrant, he took whatever jobs he could, starting as a tea boy for Lloyd's. There he began to take the first steps on a career that would net him a fortune. He reveals the methods that took him to the top, and also provides some fascinating insight into the national game from his spell as chairman of Millwall FC. But, above all, this is a book that will provide all readers with the opportunity to learn from one of the nation's most successful businessmen and put his ideas into practice.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
17 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 13, 2018
If youre a business studies student (which I am) or someone who is just interested in business then this is definitely the book for you.
It does take a while to get into but it is still a great book. It discusses business in an honest and down to earth way, even making you laugh like mad sometimes, especially when he gets into trouble with Mrs P!
The only downside, as a palace fan, was some of his comments about palace but still a very awesome book!
It does take a while to get into but it is still a great book. It discusses business in an honest and down to earth way, even making you laugh like mad sometimes, especially when he gets into trouble with Mrs P!
The only downside, as a palace fan, was some of his comments about palace but still a very awesome book!
July 7, 2017
Really enjoyed the book, absolutely terrible cover and title IMO but good content if you're interested in business, I found the bits about buying companies that go into receivership particularly interesting.
April 17, 2015
Good reading, interesting story. Seems like a genuine nice guy with a talent to see potential in badly run business.
There was a bit too much football story for my liking, but it Wass big part of his life so only fair.
The business tips are really just tips, so as long as you are in it for his story and not after a business book you can appreciate it.
Great work Theo, all the best!
There was a bit too much football story for my liking, but it Wass big part of his life so only fair.
The business tips are really just tips, so as long as you are in it for his story and not after a business book you can appreciate it.
Great work Theo, all the best!
September 19, 2016
Inspiring read. Top bloke! #FromRagsToRiches
June 14, 2017
Despite the common perception of him, the sh£t title and the fact that this will never win any literary prizes, I thought it was enjoyable and found I learnt more from it than most books of this type. Pleasantly surprised.
May 17, 2020
Enjoyable read. Motivational!
October 30, 2021
enjoyed the book even though I skipped a few chapters.
May 22, 2012
The story of the football obsessed (and I mean obsessed!) family man and dragon and how he turned his life around. Well, where to begin a review? With other reviews, I think. Some people have slated this book for not being the business book they somehow thought it was. I have to disagree with them completely. Enter the Dragon is not billed as a business book. It’s a book by a very successful businessman who turned his life literally from rags to riches, hence the subtitle, but he never claims he’ll tell you how to be successful in business yourself.
What Mr Paphitis does in this book is describe a quite remarkable life, beginning as a child newly arrived from Cypress and struggling not only with the language barrier but also with dyslexia and having to get through school at a time when those difficulties were very rarely supported. Branded as ‘thick’ he could easily have given up there and then. Of course, we know he’s anything but thick and is not only very quick but also very shrewd.
Enter the Dragon does give some rules for business at the end (which are on Theo’s website too, so we know these are not the purpose of the book) and if you have an ounce of common sense you’ll find yourself agreeing with them. The thing that stands out from this book as the way Theo transformed his life is his attitude. He has the tenacity to keep trying and the determination to succeed. He has the sense to cut his losses and not carry them with him into the next venture. Most of all, he embraces his abilities with the key attitude that he can do anything he puts his mind to. We can all do that (within our physical limitations) but how often do we allow ourselves to believe it?
You might not get direct insight to business plans and how to play every move in the game from this book. If you sit back and read it and exercise a little common sense you can easily interpret the message though. If you give up, you’ll never be anything like Mr Paphitis. If you allow your heart to rule your head in business, you’re setting yourself up for a fall. If you bite off more than you can chew, you’ll choke. If you don’t do your homework, you’ll get caught out. It’s all about having the spirit and the sense to succeed. Theo’s had some near misses but he fought back with a powerful faith in his ability to spot an opportunity.
There’s a lot to be got from this book, whether you’re looking for a sense of direction in business or just want to know more about the dragon we’ve all come to appreciate for not pussy-footing around. If it’s how to you’re after, this is not the book for you. If you can apply a little independent thought to what you read and think about how you can change your attitude and approach, then it’s a very useful read. It’s nice to learn more about Theo the person as well.
Four stars Theo – a bit too much football for me, and yes I know that’s highly relevant to you and both your business and personal life – it just makes very little sense to me so I didn’t take much in for two chapters. Readers, you can still learn that it’s good to have more passions in life than ‘strictly business’ – this man is football crazy and I wouldn’t mind being a tenner behind him!
What Mr Paphitis does in this book is describe a quite remarkable life, beginning as a child newly arrived from Cypress and struggling not only with the language barrier but also with dyslexia and having to get through school at a time when those difficulties were very rarely supported. Branded as ‘thick’ he could easily have given up there and then. Of course, we know he’s anything but thick and is not only very quick but also very shrewd.
Enter the Dragon does give some rules for business at the end (which are on Theo’s website too, so we know these are not the purpose of the book) and if you have an ounce of common sense you’ll find yourself agreeing with them. The thing that stands out from this book as the way Theo transformed his life is his attitude. He has the tenacity to keep trying and the determination to succeed. He has the sense to cut his losses and not carry them with him into the next venture. Most of all, he embraces his abilities with the key attitude that he can do anything he puts his mind to. We can all do that (within our physical limitations) but how often do we allow ourselves to believe it?
You might not get direct insight to business plans and how to play every move in the game from this book. If you sit back and read it and exercise a little common sense you can easily interpret the message though. If you give up, you’ll never be anything like Mr Paphitis. If you allow your heart to rule your head in business, you’re setting yourself up for a fall. If you bite off more than you can chew, you’ll choke. If you don’t do your homework, you’ll get caught out. It’s all about having the spirit and the sense to succeed. Theo’s had some near misses but he fought back with a powerful faith in his ability to spot an opportunity.
There’s a lot to be got from this book, whether you’re looking for a sense of direction in business or just want to know more about the dragon we’ve all come to appreciate for not pussy-footing around. If it’s how to you’re after, this is not the book for you. If you can apply a little independent thought to what you read and think about how you can change your attitude and approach, then it’s a very useful read. It’s nice to learn more about Theo the person as well.
Four stars Theo – a bit too much football for me, and yes I know that’s highly relevant to you and both your business and personal life – it just makes very little sense to me so I didn’t take much in for two chapters. Readers, you can still learn that it’s good to have more passions in life than ‘strictly business’ – this man is football crazy and I wouldn’t mind being a tenner behind him!
December 23, 2011
Pretty nice read. Matches what you'd expect from Paphitis in the dragons den.
Paphitis is very pragmatic, and his writing style is quite basic. However he conveys inspiration as he goes through his successes and failures. As much as his book is not as deep as James Caan's, Paphitis experiences / advice seem much more actionable than Caan's, in the sense that his success was not a function of very particular and unique circumstances.
Paphitis is very pragmatic, and his writing style is quite basic. However he conveys inspiration as he goes through his successes and failures. As much as his book is not as deep as James Caan's, Paphitis experiences / advice seem much more actionable than Caan's, in the sense that his success was not a function of very particular and unique circumstances.
February 16, 2009
Yeah, I read this book in 2 evenings flat. Liked it a lot. The history of his business deals is well explained. Not in extreme detail but well enough. Not so interested in his football history must admit. The business part and his twelve tips at the end are worth it.
I must say I do like these business (auto)biographies.
I must say I do like these business (auto)biographies.
January 7, 2010
Common Sense and plenty of it. A Good Role Model.
October 8, 2011
Great book on the business life of one of Dragons Den Investors
August 6, 2011
I really enjoyed the book and would have loved to have read much more about each of the businesses he has been involved in.
December 1, 2015
Very inspirational, amazing history, a good oral testimony about how family and business can match and grow together.
December 27, 2010
Great book. Balances business advice, and Theo's biography perfectly.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews