Just mugnificent!
How homeless war hero became a Ferrari- driving millionaire... all thanks to this Jubilee souvenir
HE SERVED his country in the Iraq War – and then, like many other veterans, found life after the military difficult, becoming homeless and penniless.
But just seven years after reaching rock bottom, ex-Royal Navy man Paul Rowlett now drives a Ferrari, has a £1 million home and enjoys holidays on Sir Richard Branson’s private Caribbean island of Necker.
Remarkably, his transformation is all down to the Queen – or more accurately, 500 porcelain mugs that marked her Diamond Jubilee.
Mr Rowlett, 37, who served in the Gulf War that led to the fall of Saddam Hussein, left the Navy in 2004 and, after a series of dead-end jobs, hit the bottom in 2011 when his house was repossessed, forcing him to live with friends and to survive on benefits of just £75 a week.
He said: ‘The Navy was good to me and taught me about myself
‘When I left the Navy it was back to square one’
but when I left, I was back to square one. I had to work for myself – it was the only option.’
He told disbelieving pals that he wanted to be like Branson and create his own business empire from his base in Leicester.
Using a cheap laptop he got free with a new phone, Mr Rowlett launched his own online business selling promotional mugs, rosettes and key rings for companies to spread their brand.
Working from friends’ homes for 20 hours a day, he struggled to find success. Then his life changed in 2012 when Leicester City Council asked him to supply mugs and bunting for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee visit to the city.
The businessman was so delighted to have been given the opportunity that he decided to give away thousands of pounds’ worth of commemorative items, including 500 mugs.
Won over by his generosity, the council rewarded Mr Rowlett by making him the city’s preferred supplier for the Queen’s Jubilee products – and the resultant goodwill and publicity led to a trickle of clients becoming a flood. Once a one-man band, his Leicester-based company, everythingbranded.co.uk, now employs 120 people and boasts an annual turnover of £17 million.
Corporate clients include the AA, Asda, the NHS, Samsung and ITV. His still-growing company will soon open offices in Las Vegas to expand into America, recruiting a further 60 people.
Mr Rowlett recalled: ‘ When Leicester Council placed an order for the Jubilee, I didn’t hesitate – I told them I would do it for free.
‘I have always loved the Royals and it turned out to be the best business decision I ever made.’
He and wife Jennie, who stood by him during the lean years, now live in a four- bedroom house in Leicester with a home cinema, games room and gym, and Mr Rowlett has treated himself to a £185,000 white Ferrari.
In 2015 he booked a l uxury holiday to Necker, the Caribbean island owned by his role model Sir Richard Branson. Mr Rowlett said: ‘I promised myself when I could afford it I’d visit Necker Island and I thought maybe I’d get lucky and meet Richard Branson. He literally greeted us as we got off the boat. We spent five of our seven days in his company.’
Mr Rowlett is a backer of the Make Some Noise charity, which helps projects supporting and promoting youngsters and their families living with illness, disability or lack of opportunity. He said: ‘I know what it’s like to not be given a chance, and my solution is to offer employment to these people.’