I had recently disposed of my company and had enough money to retire from business, but I was bored and could not leave well enough alone.

I was offered an old, tired restaurant that for 40 years had been operated by the great Prue Leith, but was then on its knees.

The banks were not interested, but my wife, Dawn, convinced me to take a risk, so I funded it myself. About £750,000 later we relaunched.

Within 18 months it had paid for itself and five years later I sold it for £6 million.

The moral is, always listen to your wife.

Carlo Spetale has just opened Colony restaurant in Marylebone with Indian chef Atul Kuthcer. He formally owned Notting Hill Brasserie, Taman Gang, Ebury, Waterway and Running Horse.

See also: 20 of the best business decisions examples – We asked business leaders across the UK: What was your best business decision?