The Last Word: Dan Parker

Name: Dan Parker

Company: FireText Communications Ltd

Job title: Marketing Director

What did you want to be when you were young? A traffic warden…until I realised what they actually did (I was only six).

What was your first full time job? Packing and shipping SCUBA diving equipment during my school holidays.

What is your best quality? I’m told I can be very polite. Hopefully that is true.

What is your worst quality? I can be pretty restless!

What is your favourite book? James Cracknell & Ben Fogle: Through Hell and High Water. Ever since reading it, I’ve been determined to cross the Atlantic….one day!

What is your favourite film? The Goonies – seen it twice this year already!

What is your favourite restaurant? The Gurkha in Falmouth – many FireText ideas come from that restaurant.

How do you like to relax? By doing something physical with friends. No, I mean…kayaking or playing sport (not very good at any of them though).

If you could build a house anywhere in the world where would it be? Somewhere in the Alps – anywhere with great views and great skiing.

If you could be a superhero, what superpowers would you like to possess? OK, possibly not a real superhero, but would love to have Batman’s gadgets and Bruce Wayne’s lifestyle.

Who was your teenage pin up? Kylie Minogue! However, at university, my house-mates decided to cover my room in Mcfly and Busted posters one day – they stayed up!

Can money buy happiness? Yes of course…but the happiness may not last very long.

Most annoying TV personality? Harry Hill – he killed You’ve Been Framed for me.

What has been the best moment in your career? Winning Young Businessperson of the Year recently – the support was overwhelming.

What has been the worst moment in your career? Splitting my trousers whilst managing an all-female sewing team – highly embarrassing! However, they were fixed within minutes!

If you only had £1 left in the entire world, what would you spend it on? 10 donuts to share!

What’s the best thing about Cornwall? The supportive business community – without them launching a business would be far more difficult. Thank you!

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in life? Be open to all advice – but realise you don’t have to action it all.

What makes you happy? Putting a smile on someone’s face!

What makes you angry? Negativity.

If you could invite any two people for dinner, who would they be and why would you invite them? Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver – I’d get them to show me a thing or two for my next dinner party.

What could you not live without? My iPhone – Matthew Clarke recently challenged me to live a week without it!

Tell me a joke. Where does the general keep his armies….Up his sleevies…!

What’s the greatest invention ever? My Grandfather’s emergency breathing valve (for SCUBA diving). It’s saved so many lives including Simon Le Bon (I found out recently). The business he built from it inspires me!

Describe yourself in three adjectives: Ambitious, adventurous, friendly.

This article first appeared in the July 2011 issue of Business Cornwall magazine