Homeless hero’s mugnif icent rise to millions
A NAVY veteran left homeless and penniless is now driving a Ferrari, lives in a £1million home and enjoys holidays on Sir Richard Branson’s private Caribbean island of Necker.
Remarkably, it’s all down to the Queen – or, more accurately, 500 porcelain Diamond Jubilee mugs.
Paul Rowlett, 37, who served in the second Gulf War, left the Navy in 2004 and hit rock bottom in 2011 when his house was repossessed, forcing him to live with friends and survive on benefits.
He said: ‘I had to work for myself, it was the only option’ – and launched an online business selling promotional mugs, rosettes and key rings.
His life changed in 2012 when Leicester City Council asked him to supply mugs and bunting for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee visit to his home town.
The businessman was so delighted at the opportunity that he gave away thousands of pounds worth of items, including 500 mugs.
Won over by his generosity, the council made him the city’s preferred supplier for Jubilee products – and the publicity led to a flood of clients.
Now his company, everythingbranded.co.uk, employs 120 people and boasts an annual turnover of £17 million. Corporate clients include the AA, Asda, the NHS, Samsung and ITV.
Mr Rowlett said: ‘I promised myself when I could afford it I’d visit Necker Island and I thought maybe I’d meet Richard Branson. He literally greeted us as we got off the boat. We spent five of our seven days in his company.’