Being in the C-suite is a stressful job that requires long hours, boardroom responsibilities and intense scrutiny. But what does it feel like to be an executive when you’re off work?
of wealth series, good lifeshows how budding leaders spend their time and money outside of work.
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Today, we meet 36-year-old Taymoor Atighetchi, founder and CEO of popular stationery brand Papier.
Born and raised in London to Iranian parents, Adijiqi grew up surrounded by art, antiques and creativity – his surname literally translates to “art dealer” in Iranian, his father was an art collector and academic, and he grew up immersed in beautiful objects. His instinct for aesthetics and storytelling led him to Portobello Road in Notting Hill, where he started running an antiques stall selling textiles and ceramics.
Atighetchi studied art history at Cambridge University and co-founded The Tab at 19, turning a scrappy student project into one of the UK’s best-known youth media brands before deciding to “try a real job” and heading to Bain & Company. This combination of grassroots hustle and blue-chip training laid the foundation for Papier, which he launched at the age of 26, bringing the stationery industry into the modern era with design-led, infinitely customizable products – 95% of which are personalized and one-of-a-kind.
Nearly a decade later, Papier has sold more than 15 million pieces of stationery – nearly 8 million cards and notecards alone – with diaries (or planners in the US) being its flagship product, with one sold every 25 seconds during the end-of-year peak and around 1,400 school year diaries sold every day during the back-to-school season, as Gen Z customers seek screen-free ways to organize their lives; the business is available in Liberty, Selfridges and John Lewis in the UK and Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom;The photo book, launched just two years ago, sells one copy every 30 seconds.
Managing this pace of growth means his working day often starts before he reaches his desk: from 8am, the backseat of a London taxi doubles as his mobile office. But unlike other ambitious executives, you won’t find him staring at the rise and fall of the stock market on his way to work—the millennial entrepreneur refuses to invest in stocks, preferring to put his money where his mouth is and support business and the arts.
financial condition
What’s the best investment you’ve ever bought?
A linocut (edition of 100) by David Shrigley entitled “Ink on Paper” sold for £1,000. The words overlap each other and at first glance it looks like the word “Papier” so I must have it
The worst part?
Kitchen appliances…pasta maker/yoghurt maker/ice cream maker are all gathering dust in the cupboards right now. I still want a red Burkle ham slicer, though.
If you have children, what are your childcare arrangements like?
I have a two year old boy. My wife and I both work. We have the most amazing nanny who takes care of him during the week.
What is your living arrangement like: a luxury apartment in the city or a sprawling suburb?
We lived in a townhouse in Notting Hill, London. My wife and I are city dwellers! Notting Hill also holds a special place in my heart. This is where I started my career, in a market stall on Portobello Road where my dad (who passed away earlier this year) used to take me to hang out with the antique dealers every Saturday
How do you get to work?
I often take taxis and this is my mobile office that allows me to start calls at 8am
Do you invest in stocks?
No. I know I “should” but honestly, I really don’t want to ride a financial roller coaster that I have no control over. I’d rather invest in building businesses and art hanging on my walls. Even if their value decreases, they still bring you joy every day. This is my investment philosophy
What’s the one subscription you can’t live without?
New York Times Cooking. It has the entire New York Times recipe library. It’s $5 a month and well worth it.
Where does your go-to watch come from?
The Bvlgari CH 35 G Diagono given to me by my father
necessity
How do you start your morning?
No breakfast. Long black coffee from Hagen near my home – the best coffee in London. Always long black. I drink 2-3 cups before 3pm and only decaf after that.
How about eating while walking?
Never eat lunch at my desk. I often have lunch with colleagues or attend external business meetings. If I’m alone, I still try to sit down in a cafe or restaurant bar and enjoy a quiet moment.
Where do you buy groceries?
It’s a mix. Waitrose daily service (delivered); Al-Noor supermarket selling the best Middle Eastern produce (especially Persian cucumbers); Notting Hill Fish Shop selling meat and fish, and Ben’s Grocers in Westbourne Grove selling fruit and vegetables.
How many times a week do you eat out versus cook at home?
Once or twice (maximum). I love cooking, so dinner is a time for me to express my culinary ambitions as a wannabe chef.
Are there any favorite restaurants or takeaways near you?
The Galleria serves Persian takeaway (for when I’m craving “mum’s cooking” but can’t get it); The Cow is our local for the best crab linguine in London, as well as the iconic chicken Kiev. Can’t beat it.
Where do you buy your work wardrobe?
APC, Marketplace, Cos. I think as my career has progressed my style has become more “united”. Fewer logos and few “statements”. Navy is my color (never black).
What is your typical work attire like?
Acne Jeans, Arket white T-shirt, navy artist jacket/coat
hospitality
Are you the proud owner of any futuristic gadgets?
I don’t really like gadgets. I prefer analog life; we all need fewer buttons and lights.
How do you unwind from a high-level job?
Cooking, spending time with family and friends, and playing lots of tennis
What’s the best reward you’ve ever bought yourself?
Enjoy lunch at Bentley’s counter. Flying oysters, Dover sole and a glass of cold Burgundy
Take us on vacation together. What’s next on your vacation list?
The Greek island of Antiparos, where I return every summer. We rented a beautiful little house on a hilltop overlooking the Aegean Sea. Lunch includes Greek salad and tzatziki dressing; and a sunset dinner features local fishermen cooking the morning’s catch.
How many holidays do you get in a year?
We go to Antiparos every summer and to Italy at least once a year. My wife’s family lives in Tuscany and we have a special connection to Florence (where we spent a lot of our “youth”) and Venice (where we got married). I also love going to Marrakech when London gets gloomy and you need a dose of sunshine.
How many days of annual leave do you get in a year?
15-20. My team would say zero…I’m working on it.