I've got my own businesses I run every day and I like to think I'm a nurturer rather than a firer, but the reality is, if somebody continues not to succeed and do the right thing for the business they lose the job because they are affecting the livelihoods of others.

Peter Jones

So I went and got my first job at 28, trying to think what I am going to do, I've never worked for anybody, so I decided to go and write and send my CV off to everyone.

Peter Jones

i-am never job think

The first thing I think, I was building computers, I started to build a computer when I was 17 or 18 at home, an IBM compatible computer, and then I started to sell computers, and when I sold a computer to a company called Ligo I think, and they were selling systems which became blockbuster.

Peter Jones

computers think building home

My kids certainly aren't going to have the money. They don't need it.

Peter Jones

going need money kids

We've all seen those spoiled little brats that end up being given everything and on their 17th birthday get a Ferrari. That whole thing I just can't bear it.

Peter Jones

end everything being birthday

Business is about making money but it is also about having fun, so get your character across.

Peter Jones

money business fun character

If someone comes onto 'Dragons' Den' and annoys me, I'm going to tell them exactly what I think.

Peter Jones

someone tell think me

I'm not a guy who plays political games, and I believe absolutely in one method, which is directness.

Peter Jones

i-believe political games believe

Being an entrepreneur is probably the most lonely thing you can do.

Peter Jones

being you entrepreneur lonely

I always substitute the word 'feedback' for 'failure.'

Peter Jones

word always feedback failure

When people pitch me their ideas in a T-shirt and jeans it shows they can't be bothered.

Peter Jones

t-shirt me people ideas

I never thought I'd be a TV entrepreneur.

Peter Jones

tv never thought entrepreneur

One of the biggest reasons entrepreneurs don't succeed is because they have too many chiefs. You've got to bring in the right people to make the right decisions.

Peter Jones

decisions you succeed people

When you do make losses, or you have businesses that don't succeed, it's about knowing when to stop and do something else.

Peter Jones

stop something you succeed

One of the things that slightly annoys me in business is that we use words like innovation. Young people often think innovation is about doing something new, but actually it's not. It's about doing something better than your competition.

Peter Jones

me innovation business people

There are lots of people who say you are born an entrepreneur - you either have that gene or not. I really disagree with that.

Peter Jones

you entrepreneur born people

I've certainly learnt there's nothing more important than cash - cash flow issues are one of the biggest causes of company failures.

Peter Jones

more nothing company important

I lost my computer business when I was 29 because I gave credit to firms I didn't investigate. I lost my house and had to move back in with my parents and then I lived in an office for six months.

Peter Jones

parents back business house

My father was an air conditioning engineer and we lived in a three-bedroom terraced house in Langley before moving to a four-bedroom house in Maidenhead, where my parents still live.

Peter Jones

live parents father moving

I have seen celebrities whose friends change as they become more successful, but my friends haven't changed over 30 years. I've still got some of the friends I had when I was 14 and I see them regularly with their families.

Peter Jones

some see friends change

I want my kids to be polite and respectful, stand on their own two feet.

Peter Jones

stand own feet want