Alan McKelvey
BSc Economics, (1969)
Alan is Principal of two current businesses. McKelvey Associates provides continuing professional development to solicitors and barristers in Northern Ireland. Clarke & Dawe are clothiers, tailors and shirtmakers, dressing gentlemen, and those who aspire to be gentlemen, from premises on the Lisburn Road, Belfast.
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What made you decide to set up your own business? |
In 1978 I wanted to be my own boss and started my first business in building materials. |
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What has been your biggest challenge so far? |
The 1989 collapse in property values and the 1994 ceasefire in Northern Ireland. |
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What has been your biggest success or triumph so far? |
The current businesses trading successfully for 11 years and are debt-free. |
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How do you feel your time at Queen's prepared you for this venture? |
Part of the Economics course has been useful and the network of contacts I started to put together has been very helpful. |
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What advice would you give someone considering starting a business?
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Make sure they have the opportunity, the staff and the capital. It's like a three legged stool and if all three are not in place the stool is useless. |
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What is your next ambition?
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Sell the businesses and take more holidays. |
20/10/2010
