'Whatever you put into life is what you will get out of it'

Craig McKelvie, founder and CEO at The BootRoom Collection, on the new public holiday he'd like to invent, and more

What is your best childhood memory?
Singing to The Beach Boys out of the sunroof of my dad's car while travelling in France with my parents and brother.

If you could move anywhere in the world, which place would that be?
I'm really happy and settled, living here in Dubai; it's such a diverse country and has everything. I would like my parents and family to be a bit closer, but it's my choice to live here and you only have one life - you have to live it.

The biggest learning point or experience in your life.
Make mistakes - you only learn from them. I've made a few (maybe more than a few) and it made me into the person I am today and allowed me to create my own values to live and work by.

What is the one skill you'd love to learn, and why?
I wish I'd learned more about accounting, so I could manage the business cash flow better.

What advice would you give your younger self, if you could?
Dream big and don't give up - whatever you put into life is what you will get out of it.

If you could go back to any era in time or witness any major event in history, which one would it be, and why?
I'd like to have seen the Beatles play live.

Your greatest fear.
My greatest fear by far is failing - and, unfortunately, it's such a big part of life!

If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day, who would it be and why?
Liam Gallagher. I would love to know what goes on inside his
head. He's one of the greatest frontmen of all time - and he's from Manchester!

Favourite movie character of all time - and why.
Rudy (from the movie Rudy). He was told he was too small to play American football. Against the odds, he played for Notre Dame. His pure passion and belief got him through. Never give up!

If you were President of your country, what is the first thing you'd do?  
I'd invent a new public holiday called Happiness Day and invite everyone to join in, make new friends and just have some fun, with live bands and free food trucks in every town and city, and ticker tape everywhere!
- Staff reporter