‘My first proper job was Ents Officer at UCD. It was incredible'
Paul Davis has more than three decades of experience in the Irish and international events and entertainment industries. In 2013, he founded Davis Events Agency, which in 2023 was listed in the 2023 Global Eventex Top 100 Event Organisers and Agencies.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I would lean more towards being a spender than a saver. I've been running my business for a long time, and I think I recognise when something is a good investment.
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
My first proper job was Ents Officer at
UCD
. It was incredible. Club culture was just arriving in Ireland and, as well as organising events all over the place, I got to bring amazing acts like the Chemical Brothers, The Shamen, Urban Cookie Collective and David Holmes in for gigs at the university. I was paid a few hundred pounds a month, but it was all about the fantastic experience and memories.
Do you shop around for better value?
I love getting a bargain in music and clothes – you can get amazing value in second-hand vinyl, in particular. Dublin was full of great second-hand and thrift shops in the 1990s before they died away, but it's great to see some coming back now. I was in San Francisco recently and had a brilliant time going around Haight Street and all the vintage stores.
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What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost?
I spent £2,000 on a set of SL1210 decks when I was much younger. It was a massive expense for me at the time. I couldn't really afford them but I got them anyway. They were worth every penny.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
When the Walkman came out, I thought it was the best thing ever invented. I love music so much and being able to access music whenever and wherever I went was a game changer. Likewise, when the iPod came out. It wasn't cheap, but being able to access even more music meant it was totally worth it.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
It's not quite a regret but I wish I didn't have to have a car. I live in the city and ride my bike everywhere so having a car feels counterintuitive. I regularly use DublinBikes and the like in other cities, too. In Nice, for example, you can take a public bike at the airport and cycle into the city!
Do you haggle over prices?
I haggle because I like to get value, although I've been known to embarrass my family at times.
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I have invested in shares. The concept makes sense to me because you're investing and helping to build a business large or small, albeit while hoping to get a return for yourself. Cryptocurrency doesn't feel tangible enough for me, so I haven't invested so far.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
At the moment, retirement doesn't seem to factor into my thinking. I have no plans in that area because I love what I do so much. Enjoying your job is a real gift, so it would be very hard to stop. I have a pension plan, however, which involves a set of funds that I manage myself.
What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?
I recently bought another copy of Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset book, and I'm reading it again. It reminds me of the need to stay positive and to have a positive outlook. I love reading so, for me, a book is always great value.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
It took me about a year to save up for the SL1210 decks.
Have you ever lost money?
Yes, when I was younger. I began organising gigs when I was a teenager. The nature of the business means you lose money more than you make – you've got to love it and figure out how to make a living out of it.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I'm not a gambler but when I was about 12, I made a pound from a bet on the Grand National. That was a big deal! These days, I occasionally take a punt during big racing festivals.
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
I think my best is spending it on the right things. I'm not a big spender in general, but I'm happy to do so to look after family, have a holiday and the like. My worst is probably that I'm not careful enough with it.
How much money do you have on you now?
I keep an emergency €5 note in the back of my phone. That's it!
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
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