Paul Duplock's Transformative Journey: From Setbacks to Strength, Growth and New Opportunity

Paul Duplock’s story is one of resilience, ambition and renewed confidence. Since joining For Entrepreneurs Only (FEO) in 2021, both Paul and his business have gone from strength to strength, with the company expanding its services, securing long-term premises and opening the door to a brand-new venture.

One of the clearest signs of that progress is the recent completion on a commercial property near Preston, close to Saltend. After 21 years of renting across three different sites, Paul now has the financial security to run the business from a single 7,000 sq ft base, giving it the space and stability to grow with confidence. The site also includes outside space, which has created an exciting new opportunity for a self-storage business. What began as an idea to rent out part of the site has, “on a whim,” developed into plans for an entirely new arm of the business.

This growth has also been personal. Paul says: “I probably would not have taken on a building like this or backed myself in the same way had I not joined FEO. The support, confidence, contacts and renewed vigour I’ve found through the network have helped me to see new possibilities for the future. The FEO 360 programme in particular, was catalyst in that journey, giving me both clarity and momentum.”

There is also pride in seeing the business develop as a family story. Paul’s son, Oscar, has now joined the company as an apprentice electrician. At 18, Oscar is beginning his own career journey alongside his dad, adding a new dimension to the business and to family life. Outside work, the pair are best mates, sharing interests including music festivals and the historic Silverstone Circuit for, the Formula 1 British Grand Prix.

Behind all of that progress is a much harder chapter that tested Paul deeply and ultimately reshaped both his outlook and his business.

Early Challenges and a Perfect Storm

Paul’s troubles began in 2017 and 2018, a period he now describes as his “mid-life crisis”. A chronic people-pleaser, he was juggling young children, a demanding business and a 20-year friendship that had become toxic. His close friend and work partner had grown jealous of Paul’s happy family life, strong reputation and steady success, gradually eroding the relationship despite their shared history and customers.

The situation worsened when Paul’s accountant, a family connection through marriage and someone he had trusted for a decade, mismanaged the books. In 2019, a new accountant uncovered serious discrepancies: submitted turnover did not match reality, and the result was a hefty tax bill. After 12 to 13 years in business, Paul realised he had been naïve about profit extraction at a time when overheads were steadily rising.

Then came COVID. With his wife working NHS shifts, Paul stayed at home with too much time to think. Income dried up, but fixed costs, including van leases, remained. One key worker left after a divorce, choosing government support over wages to avoid childcare costs. Another stole materials to resell. As one friend bluntly told him, “The people you’ve helped the most are the ones not helping you.” It was a painful moment that exposed how Paul’s generosity had too often left him vulnerable.

That summer in 2020, Paul drifted. He drank more, lost direction and pretended to be working while his children were being homeschooled. Therapy before lockdown had offered some relief, but the uncertainty and pressure pushed him further into despair. Looking back, he says one of the most important things FEO later gave him was the reassurance that these struggles were not unique. He realised the problems in his business were not simply personal failings, but challenges many business owners face.

Lockdown Pivot and a Lifeline

Paul did not opt for a quick-fix Bounce Back Loan. With overheads at the level they were, he knew the business needed more meaningful support, so he pursued Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) funding. It took months to come through, but after emailing MP Graham Stuart, the bank approval followed swiftly. Coincidence or not, Paul remains grateful. That funding became the lifeline that carried the business to reopening in September.

Even during that period, there were glimpses of the community spirit that would later help restore Paul’s belief in people. He helped fundraise for a defibrillator in Winestead, working with HEY Smile Foundation to navigate the village group’s early barriers, including the need for a formal committee and bank account. In the end, those obstacles were overcome with matched funding from the Lions and the parish council.

At the unveiling, Graham Stuart joined for coffee, and Paul took the chance to tell him directly what the CBILS support had meant. Without it, he says, the business would not still exist. Those moments, small but significant, helped restore his faith in networks and support at a time when he felt isolated.

FEO: The Game-Changer for Mind and Business

Joining FEO in 2021 marked a turning point. Through the FEO 360 programme, Paul realised that “everyone has the same problems” and that he was not carrying some private failure that other business owners had somehow escaped. That change in perspective was powerful.

He describes FEO as the point at which life began to improve in a lasting way. His wife, who is not involved in the business, would wait eagerly for his updates after each session. He says it is no coincidence that things changed for the better after taking part in FEO 360.

FEO also gave him something harder to quantify but just as important: a trusted circle of people who understood the pressures of business ownership. Honest conversations became a form of therapy, helping him spot toxic influences, reflect more clearly and begin to rebuild with healthier boundaries. Paul now attends every event he can, combining personal development with practical business growth.

Speakers such as Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, Alex Partridge and Nisha Katona have each left him with useful nuggets he could apply in real life and in the business. More importantly, FEO has helped him feel part of the right room. The admiration he once felt for mentors from a distance has become genuine connection, confidence and day-to-day relationships.

Business Evolution: From Electrical Firm to Multi-Service Operation

Today, Paul’s business is in a very different place. Revenue is significantly higher, the company owns its vehicles, and the move into a substantial commercial base signals a new stage of maturity and long-term stability.

The business has expanded beyond electrical work into plumbing and heating, and now delivers fuller turnkey solutions. Paul manages projects that bring together subcontractors for plastering, joinery and decorating, allowing customers to rely on one trusted contact to organise everything. That approach may sometimes reduce short-term margin, but it strengthens long-term trust, referrals and reputation.

His commercial instinct is rooted in years of practical experience. Fourteen or fifteen years ago, he was already refurbishing auction repossessions with a friend: buying, renovating, renting, refinancing and eventually selling after the pandemic for a clear profit after years of income. He has also transformed his own homes, even doubling the size of one while living in a caravan with toddlers among floorboards and building materials. That hands-on willingness to back himself has always been there. What has changed is the confidence to think bigger and act on it.

The new building near Preston is the strongest example yet of that shift. It is not just a premises move; it represents security, ambition and a platform for what comes next.

Mental Health Renewal and a Better Life

Paul now describes himself as a “miles better human”. Life feels lighter, more balanced and more enjoyable. He walks daily, listens to music, loves cooking and makes time for life outside work.

He has also protected space for family and enjoyment, often keeping Fridays free so he can travel to gigs and concerts around the UK with his family. Those moments matter because they represent something bigger than time off: they show a man who is no longer consumed by pressure in the way he once was.

He is more open now, too, about both mental health and finances. Confidence has replaced some of the fear and shame that once sat underneath the surface. The business is healthier, but so is the person behind it.

Lessons for Entrepreneurs

Paul’s journey shows what can happen when difficult experiences are met with the right support, the right circle and the willingness to keep going. Betrayal taught him the importance of boundaries. Isolation taught him the value of talking. FEO gave him a network, fresh perspective and the confidence to take bigger steps.

Today, the business is flourishing, a new venture is emerging, and a new generation of the family has joined the team. But perhaps the most important shift is personal. Paul is no longer simply surviving the pressures of work and life. He is enjoying them, shaping them and looking forward to what comes next.

As he puts it, he is excited about the next 20 years because life is amazing.