Deborah Meaden

Deborah MeaDen, 57, is best known for her appearances on TV’s Dragons’ Den and she also took part in Strictly Come Dancing 2013. She lives in Somerset, where she was born, with her husband, Paul, on a restored farm. her net worth is £40 million.

Do what you want to do, not what you think you should do

At the beginning, I had no money — just a naturally entrepreneurial spirit that started in childhood.

My parents split up when I was tiny and there was a time when my mother was on her own before she met my beloved stepfather, so she didn’t have the luxury of thinking deeply about things.

But she is a person who won’t be beaten — she just got on and did it and that must have rubbed off on me.

I started my first business at 19, importing beautiful Italian ceramics. Maybe the innocence and energy of youth helped, but I just jumped in with both feet and learned through my mistakes. even now I’d rather be working with someone who takes risks rather than brilliant people who give me all the reasons why something isn’t going to work. I think: ‘Let’s just give it a try. What’s the worst that can happen?’

I took over the family holiday business and made it such a success that when I sold it I really did have money.

I forged ahead, but it wasn’t really until my 30s that I discovered what made me happy — and what didn’t.

I realised money has very little value in itself. When I first had money I spent it on loads of stuff and then I stopped and thought: ‘that really hasn’t done it for me. It’s just not what I want out of life.’

I decided I wasn’t going to become a different person because I was rich. I realised that if you are not careful, money can stifle you.

With that understanding came a sense of real confidence. It allowed me to see that what really matters is being in control of all aspects of life — never being influenced or behaving in a certain way simply because it’s what others expect.

I learned I could say: ‘I don’t care what you think of me.’ that’s a very powerful thing, especially when people are trying to put you down. even now when I’m asked to do things and think ‘Maybe I should do it’, I stop myself, and say: ‘hold on — do I want to do it?’

‘Should’ and ‘want’ are two very different things. Nowadays, I only do what I want. that can mean working very hard, fighting for a cause I believe in or just relaxing in my garden. But these are all my own choices. And that is the secret to a happy life.