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Interview with UCC Student & Entrepreneur Jack Garvey
Jack is studying Accounting and Finance at UCC while running multiple businesses, including Ace the Leaving Cert and Ace Marketing.
1. Where did the idea for Ace the Leaving Cert come from? Were you already giving grinds yourself before turning it into a full business?
“At the end of the day all a business really is, is a collective of like-minded people who dedicate their time to solving a set of problems.”
Ace the Leaving Cert is really my way of solving three problems at once. The problems I identified are:
- The education systems in Ireland and abroad are built as a one-size-fits-all solution, but education should be personalised.
- Most college-student tutors lack the necessary business connections and skills to make grinds profitable, and are often taken advantage of.
- There isn’t enough focus on the exam itself in most schools or grind schools, leaving students unprepared.
We aim to solve these problems by building systems to match students with the right tutors, supporting tutors with marketing and customer service, and focusing on exam strategies by only taking on H1 tutors.
“Einstein once said you should never judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree — our unique approach ensures every fish is judged fairly.”
I myself haven’t given grinds (apart from helping my sister for her Junior Cert), but I’ve received grinds and seen friends give them. From that combined experience, I saw an opportunity to change the market for the better.
2. You’ve since gone on to launch Ace Marketing too. Did one naturally lead to the other, or were they always separate ideas in your head?
In a way I suppose Ace the Leaving Cert led to Ace Marketing. I am in love with my job and can’t really picture myself doing anything else.
“I work every day non-stop, no breaks or weekends or holidays, because I love what I do.”
I figured if I was going to do this for the rest of my life, a marketing launchpad would come in handy. So I set up Ace Marketing both as a launchpad for my own businesses and for other SMEs to market effectively on social media.
I’m an equal partner with Judah Arun of Judagraphy Photography. He manages daily operations and creative work, while I handle logistics, strategy, sales, and expansion. We’re a great team and I love working on both projects.
3. Mentors can play a big role in shaping a business. Did you have mentors along the way?
Well my two biggest mentors are my Mum and Dad.
“It definitely helps to be tech savvy as an entrepreneur now, and I am in large part solely due to my Dad.”
My Mum owns an accounting firm, and being able to see what she overcame to succeed really inspired me. She’s also why I chose Accounting as my degree.
My Dad has been Head of Software in many companies and has set up businesses himself. He’s brilliant at finding efficient ways to do things with new technology and AI. His advice has been invaluable.
I’ve also learned from SME owners in BNI County and University Chapters — they’ve been so welcoming, which made me feel at ease even as the youngest in the room.
On top of that, I’ve drawn inspiration from Steven Bartlett, Alex Hormozi, and the team behind Marketing Against the Grain.
4. You’re studying Accounting and Finance at UCC while running businesses. How do you actually manage your time?
It’s a lot, but I religiously use Google Calendar. People often say it seems like I have more hours in the day than they do. The secret is planning everything out in advance and just doing it.
“It’s very important to be realistic and to cut out unnecessary tasks.”
I’m addicted to espressos — one a day, sometimes a double shot if it’s busy. But I balance it with exercise, sleep, and passion for what I do. As long as you love what you’re doing, you can achieve anything.
5. Running a business while still in college gives you a different perspective. What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned so far about customers, growth, or just the reality of business?
That it doesn’t matter what you think your product should be — it’s about finding your Ideal Consumer Profile and making them happy.
“Product is everything. Never mind profits or margins before you get an amazing product sorted.”
As long as you’re passionate, the first five-star review makes all the hard work worth it. Happy customers tell their friends, and growth becomes exponential.
6. For other students who might have an idea but aren’t sure how to take the first step, what advice would you give?
Just do it. Simple as that.
Identify a problem, make sure there’s a big enough market with people willing to pay to fix it, and build a solution. I sometimes use ChatGPT to bounce ideas off — it’s helpful when you’ve already asked your parents too many questions!
“Never let anyone destroy your vision. Big dreams are the hardest things to make real, but they are also the most beautiful and fragile.”
Reach out for help, don’t try to do it all alone, and don’t listen to the haters.
7. Finally, looking ahead, do you see yourself focusing on scaling these businesses long-term, or are they a foundation for other ventures?
I definitely see myself scaling these businesses, but the world is changing fast with AI and new innovations. While I’ll stay with my current ventures, they may pivot in direction as the market changes.
“Who can tell what’s going to happen? I’m having a blast now and I hope to be having a blast then as well.”