Surprising Revelation: Writing Children's Books

I could go for a game of mini golf. You just floored me there. He's like, oh, yeah, I want to write children's books. Huh? Yeah, what am I going to be, writing books about law firms? You've got to be kidding me. No, I mean, all your knowledge, because you're also a keynote speaker, right? Yes. So all your knowledge, there's so much. And granted, what you've been doing is helping with the call center. Right. But just your, I guess, your, I don't want to say it's your philosophy on life, but everything that you're doing, everything that you have talked about, could actually help people in other types of business and not just business either. I want to say self-improvement as well. Conversations with Rich Bennett. Beyond Business: Richard Blank on Creating Community by Connections Dive into "Conversations with Rich Bennett," where extraordinary tales unfold. Join Rich as he engages with diverse guests, from trailblazers to survivors, sharing stories that inspire and challenge. Each episode is a journey into the heart of human experience, offering insights, laughter, and moments of profound connection. Whether it's exploring the depths of personal triumph or the intricacies of societal issues, this podcast promises to enlighten and entertain. Join Conversations with Rich Bennett, where compelling stories come to life. Host Rich Bennett, often joined by cohosts, dives into extraordinary tales with guests from all walks of life—trailblazers, survivors, innovators, and more. Together, they explore personal triumphs, societal challenges, and everything in between, delivering episodes filled with insight, laughter, and profound moments of connection. Whether it's an intimate look at a guest’s journey or a broader discussion on pressing issues, each episode is designed to inspire, entertain, and enlighten. In this episode sponsored by Four Seasons Landscape & Construction Services, Rich Bennett engages in a profound conversation with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center. Richard shares his inspirational journey from his roots in Philadelphia to his entrepreneurial success in Costa Rica. He delves into how his passion for vintage jukeboxes and pinball machines isn't just a personal hobby but a cornerstone of his company culture, fostering a unique, engaging, and joyful work environment. Embracing Bold Life Choices Let's see if you can swim with the big boys. Let's go division one, go abroad and see if you can really do this. Now I did when I was a junior in college, I lived in Spain for a year, which was excellent. You do a whole different podcast on that experience, but man, I was prepared. I was ready. I was in my late twenties. I was bold. I was brave and fortune favors the brave. You know that. And so I wanted to slay a dragon to save a princess and become a freaking prince. And I knew that I didn't take this. I would regret it for the rest of my life. Full Circle: Reflecting on Gratitude and Community. I have pride. I love being proud of where I come from and I love being humble and I love letting people know that if it weren't for you kind of things and, um, I don't know. It's just something where the circle becomes complete. I'm not a child anymore, but it gives me a chance as an adult to show homage and to show a certain sort of respect to my grandparents, parents, and community that raised me. And so, yeah, my man, that is something that I do that makes me very happy. Giving Back: Scholarship Initiative at Alma Mater. Speaking of paying it forward, when I read your introduction, there was something in there about scholarships. You offer scholarships? Just for my alma mater. Just for a graduating senior from college, yes. I'll pay for their freshmen. Really? Yeah. Wait a minute, you're talking about University of Arizona? Oh, no, Abington Senior High School. Since I graduated there and I was a Spanish major, I went back and I said, if any kid's willing to learn a second language and really know it, I'm definitely going to pay for their books. And so you got to do that. Hiring Philosophy: Squiring a Knight You see recess and you see someone that loves me, loves you and loves this environment. And so through natural selection, when we're bringing people in, because I'm 150 strong, I don't have to bring in thousands. It's those that like the games. It's someone that can turn a piece of paper over rich and give me that coming of age moment in their lives when they beat up a bully or saved a cat. I'm going to hire them. And I love hiring people without experience because they're a squire to a knight. They have no bad habits. We can mold them. Come on. You know all about those big brother sort of movies. Passion: The Key to Unlocking Success and so I decided to die with my boots on. I knew that if I was going to have a hero's journey and leave a castle, I got to do it on my terms. Because if not, I wouldn't have the leverage nor the advantage because You can have the education. You can have the cash behind you. But if you don't have the passion, the fidelity towards something, you're not going to go the distance. That's not the long play. And so at least at the end of the day, my friend, Rich, I knew I could live with myself if I decided to double, triple and quadruple down on a second language and just see where that would go. Little did I know that key opens so much. https://youtu.be/K3M3Ch595no https://youtube.com/shorts/yR544ZKQUWM?feature=share https://youtube.com/shorts/w9C4OIkORP4?feature=share https://youtube.com/shorts/UV6g_qYbX74?feature=share https://youtube.com/shorts/kO6_-ZnRl44?feature=share https://youtube.com/shorts/TTAvySAANSw?feature=share Richard emphasizes the significance of building genuine connections, not only within his call center but extending into the broader community through educational scholarships and local engagement. He highlights the importance of empathy, effective communication, and maintaining a positive outlook, which are key to his personal and professional philosophy. This episode, supported by the dedicated services of Four Seasons Landscape & Construction Services, showcases how Richard Blank's approach to business goes beyond the conventional, integrating personal passions with a deep commitment to community and employee well-being, setting a vibrant example of leadership in the modern workplace. Major Points of the Episode: Richard's Journey: From Philadelphia to Costa Rica, detailing his initial move and the reasons behind establishing the call center in Costa Rica. Incorporating Passions into Business: How Richard integrates his love for vintage jukeboxes and pinball machines into the workplace to create a unique and engaging environment. Community Engagement: Richard's commitment to the local community, including his efforts in providing educational scholarships and fostering local engagements.