Boss's rags-to-riches story in print
Self-made businessman Stephen Joynes has written the story of his rags-to-riches success.
Self-made businessman Stephen Joynes has written the story of his rags-to-riches success.
But there could still be some chapters to add as the 74-year-old is not contemplating retirement despite having a £50 million stately home and a famous health spa business to his name.
Mr Joynes, who lives at Hoar Cross Hall in rural Staffordshire, has just celebrated winning his fifth consecutive World Travel Award.
Hoar Cross was named England's Leading Resort at the awards ceremony in Portugal.
The 19th century Grade Two listed building is annexed to the Eden Day Spa which caters for hundreds of guests each week.
Celebrity visitors have included Julie Goodyear, Catherine Zeta Jones and Dannii Minogue.
It's a tale of success that Mr Joynes could only dream of when he was growing up in the terraced back streets of Caldmore, Walsall.
His earliest business venture – a fish and chip van that toured the local area – led to a job with a frozen foods firm, then he bought a tea shop in Sutton Coldfield which he transformed into a thriving cafe selling all day grills.
He sold the tea shop in 1959 for almost double what he paid and then borrowed money to buy a semi-derelict guest house in Walsall and turn it into the 15 bedroom Midland Hotel.
Within 18 months he sold it for twice his outlay. In 1965 he bought the old Highcroft Grammar School in Walsall, converting it into the County Hotel.
He spent £100,000 and sold it in 1973 for £1.2 million. In 1974 he bought the Water Splash nightclub in Walsall Wood and turned it into the popular Barons Court Hotel. He sold it in 1989 for £8.6m. Then he took on his biggest and proudest achievement snapping up Hoar Cross Hall for just £1.1m.
He now reckons the hall is worth a cool £50m.
Mr Joynes' book is called Take Action, and he calls it a "self-made millionaire's pocket guide to happiness, health, personal satisfaction and business success.''
Copies of Take Action are available priced £7. Email marketing@hoarcross.co.uk or phone 01283 575747.
