Gareth Jones, CEO of Welsh Ice in Caerphilly

1. How did you get into your current job?

I saw a job ad saying 'Social Entrepreneur wanted, salary £1, call Mike' and decided to call Mike! Somehow, I knew what it would be before speaking to him (or maybe I didn’t listen and just pressed on with a different idea!). From there, I worked with two incredibly inspirational serial entrepreneurs, William Record and Anthony Record MBE, to build what is now known as Welsh ICE.

2. What’s the best bit?

The incredible people that I get to meet on a regular basis. Some of the ideas are truly inspirational, and it is great to work in a place where people choose to work together, rather than the corporate culture that scared me into a quarter life crisis at 22.

3. What was your first Saturday job?

I started two within about a week of each other at 15, in a tandoori restaurant working from 6pm until 2am for £18, and at a newsagent, both in Llangollen.

4. Describe your ideal job?

I’m quite fortunate in that running Welsh ICE is pretty close to it, getting to work purely on generating, developing, and seeing ideas come to life is unique, and for that I am very fortunate.

5. What motivates you?

Creating more opportunities for lucky chance outcomes.

6. And what irritates you?

Lack of attention to detail.

7. Who do you most admire in business and why?

I don’t really relate to ‘celebrity’ business people, so I generally admire people in the local community more, people like Jeff Smith, from Big Moose, Neil Cocker, of Cardiff Start, and Anthony Record MBE, for his incredible energy levels and ability to work so diligently on such a diverse range of projects.

8. What was the last book you read and what did you think?

I’m currently reading Leviathan, or the Whale by Philip Hoare, which is a nice distraction from business books, but recently finished Affluenza by Oliver James, which I found to be horrendously hyperbolic.

9. What do you do to relax?

I like to wander aimlessly around new cities, I really struggle to switch off…

10. What dreams are you still to fulfil?

I have many, many dreams to fulfil. In particular, I’d like to spend a few years living in New York while I have the energy and patience, but I’m not sure what I’d like to do there yet.

11. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

I never go to the cinema! The last film I saw was Hercules last summer as we had a film ad premiered the same evening, tuxedos and all. It was terrible.

12. Favourite food and place to eat it?

I love a good paella or jambalaya, but my death row meal would be bangers and mash, although preferably in a more comfortable setting.

13. What car do you drive?

A very impractical Mercedes.

14. What’s in your car’s CD player at the moment?

Interestingly, the CD player has never been used since getting the car new, but on Spotify currently I’m listening to Factory Floor.

15. What’s your favourite TV programme?

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia or Arrested Development are my current favourites, and Green Wing from the past. Any off-beat comedy works for me.

16. Do you tweet? If so, how can we follow you?

Yup, @Captain_Gareth and @Welsh_ICE

17. If you were an animal, what would you be?

I think I’d like to be a squid, whale, or shark, and explore the deep, unknowable oceans.

18. Proudest moment?

I think being invited to Buckingham Palace for a reception with the Queen was the first time that my mum realised that I might be doing something meaningful, so probably that.

19. And most embarrassing?

Countless. I love karaoke, start reciting 90s rap after three pints, and foolishly trust my team to write our Christmas nativities for the ICE parties.

20. What advice would you give to someone wanting to be successful in your line of work?

Meet people, get along to events like Venturefest or Ignite, and share your ideas. Become able to answer every difficult question by facing them headfirst, learn from the feedback, and learn how to feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations.