Case Study

Andrew’s journey into entrepreneurship began long before his first official venture. After graduating in 1986 with a degree in civil engineering, he spent years in the industry, always keeping one eye open for a business opportunity. That entrepreneurial spark finally ignited thanks to a bit of serendipity and a family connection.

While visiting, Andrew’s in-laws noticed a surprising lack of food options when travelling to Antrim. This ignited an idea for Andrew and in 1994, he launched his first business from Antrim Enterprise, Club Sandwich, a pre-packed sandwich supplier, having completed a “Start Your Own Business” course, marking this the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.

It was a pioneering idea at the time, entering a market with very few competitors. The business enjoyed 15 years of success, but with more entrants arriving and staffing challenges mounting, the recession dealt the final blow. Andrew made the difficult decision to sell the business as a going concern.

Following the sale of Club Sandwich, Andrew returned to employment temporarily, taking roles as a section manager at ASDA Antrim and later as a manager at Moy Park. But his entrepreneurial instinct never left him. With a lifelong passion for cars and mechanics, Andrew was soon inspired by a colleague at Moy Park to start refurbishing alloy wheels, leading to another venture, Wheel Nuts.

Andrew started Drumanaway Campervans because of a personal dream. He and his wife, Karen, had always wanted a campervan, but the price was too high. Then Andrew discovered that buying vehicles from Japan could be much cheaper. He imported a Nissan Elgrand, got it converted, and realised the process was slow, and that he could have handled a lot of it on his own. Drumanaway Campervans, was officially launched in 2020, specialising in Nissan Elgrand conversions.

Their campervans are popular with outdoor enthusiasts, surfers, older adults travelling with grandchildren, and people with disabilities.

Andrew’s business model thrives on low overheads he has no premises, no staff, and a streamlined import-to-conversion process.

Drumanaway Campervans caters to a diverse yet focused audience, active travellers in their late 20s to mid-50s, nature lovers, and budget-conscious adventurers. Andrew also adapts conversions to suit specific customer needs, such as a custom build for a surfer from outside London who needed space for a surfboard.

He attributes counselling with equipping him with meaningful strategies to handle stress. “The best advice I received was to do something selfish every day,” he reflects. For Andrew, that indulgence takes the form of wild camping with his dog—a cherished routine that offers peace and restoration.

Looking ahead, Andrew is content to maintain the business at its current scale. He hopes for fewer complications under the Windsor Framework, which continues to present bureaucratic challenges.

Reflecting on his journey, Andrew offers this advice to aspiring entrepreneurs,

“Tailor your business to suit your life. Do your research. Find a niche that isn’t overcrowded. Keep your overheads and staffing low. And most importantly, look after your health.”

In a world of high pressure and competition, Andrew’s business model, value-driven, niche-focused, and wellbeing-conscious, offers a refreshing and sustainable blueprint for self-employment.