#293 Faith, Purpose, and Business — Alan Clarke

May 28, 2025

Alan Clarke, dentist and entrepreneur from Belfast, shares his journey of building a lifestyle dental brand with Paste Dental. He discusses overcoming tall-poppy syndrome, the impacts of his early experiences in Northern Ireland, and the unique business cultures he encountered. Alan dives into strategies for empowering staff and enhancing patient experiences through technology. He also highlights his global mastermind initiative, Paste Presents, emphasizing the importance of community and faith in leadership.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Reject The Tall-Poppy Trap

Alan rejects 'tall poppy' limits and focuses on a unique vision rather than copying peers.
He credits family support and travel for cultivating a ceiling-free mindset that fuels risk-taking.

ANECDOTE

From Belfast To Capitol Hill

Alan describes his Washington Ireland Program placement writing memos, attending congressional hearings and meeting CEOs.
The experience taught him speed, decisive action and that big organisations can move fast to get things done.

INSIGHT

Decide Fast And Hire Executors

Alan learned to prioritise decisive action: pick a date, list steps, and execute rather than endless committees.
He hires people who 'get things done' to keep speed and momentum.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this captivating conversation, Payman welcomes Alan Clarke, the innovative founder of Paste Dental in Belfast and creator of Paste Presents.

Alan shares his journey from growing up in Northern Ireland to developing a global mindset through international experiences.

Throughout the episode, he discusses building a lifestyle dental brand, his groundbreaking international dental mastermind events, and his passion for community building within dentistry.

Alan's entrepreneurial spirit, faith-driven purpose, and willingness to take calculated risks showcase a refreshing perspective on leadership that transcends geographical boundaries and traditional dental practice limitations.

In This Episode

00:02:10 - Tall poppy syndrome

00:04:30 - Growing up as an only child with supportive parents

00:08:10 - Life-changing Washington Ireland Program experience

00:14:35 - Behind the scenes of American politics

00:19:20 - Reflections on Northern Ireland and the Troubles

00:22:15 - Bloom where you're planted: returning to Belfast

00:25:25 - Cultural differences between UK, US and European business

00:33:15 - Clinical education at Queen's University Belfast

00:43:40 - Buying and rebranding a dental practice during COVID

00:47:15 - Managing patient expectations during practice transition

00:51:55 - Creating a lifestyle brand in dentistry

00:54:55 - Providing exceptional patient experiences

01:00:05 - Empowering staff to create memorable moments

01:07:30 - Adding value through communication and technology

01:11:10 - Creating Paste Presents: a global dental mastermind

01:17:15 - Building relationships through shared experiences

01:23:50 - Free university events to support dental students

01:29:15 - Faith as a foundation for business and life

01:35:05 - Perspectives on AI in dentistry

01:42:45 - Fantasy dinner party

01:48:45 - Last days and legacy

About Alan Clarke

Alan Clarke is a dentist, entrepreneur and visionary from Belfast, Northern Ireland. As the founder of Paste Dental, he has transformed a traditional practice into a modern lifestyle brand offering high-end dentistry with exceptional patient experiences.

Alan is also the creator of Paste Presents, an exclusive international dental mastermind that brings together influential dentists from around the world for immersive learning experiences in exotic locations.

A graduate of Queen's University Belfast with further education in medical law and ethics at Edinburgh, Alan balances his clinical work with entrepreneurial ventures and a passion for elevating the dental profession.

His international connections, particularly in the US, have helped him develop a unique perspective that combines American entrepreneurial spirit with Northern Irish values.