#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.

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ANECDOTE

Building A Dental Mastermind

Paste Presents is Alan's bespoke dental mastermind that brought influential dentists to Morocco for shared learning and networking.
He admits the first run lost money but created deep connections and business collaborations between attendees.

ADVICE

Design Events For Impact, Not Profit First

When launching high‑end events, budget for an initial loss and prioritise delivering an unforgettable experience.
Use sponsorships and community impact to add value and validate the event beyond ticket revenue.

INSIGHT

Top‑End Events And Free Student Outreach

Alan balances premium paid events with free university talks to seed community and talent pipelines.
He uses free student work to inspire graduates and create future networks for dentistry.

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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.