He Moved to Costa Rica at 27 and Built a 150-Person Company - FoundersOutlook (1

Founders Outlook Podcast. Episode 25. Richard Blank Moved to Costa Rica at 27 and Built a 150-Person Company Welcome to Founders Outlook where entrepreneurial dreams meet real stories! Discover inspiring founder interviews and startup journeys as successful business owners share how they built their companies from the ground up. From origin stories to business strategy insights, the unfiltered truth about entrepreneurship. Founder origin stories & startup journeys Solo episodes with actionable business advice Expert collaborations & industry insights Real lessons from successful entrepreneurs Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, small business owners, side hustlers, and anyone with a business idea ready to launch. What happens when you leave everything familiar behind to build a life and business on your own terms? In this episode of FoundersOutlook, Juliet Ochu sits down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, for a conversation about bold decisions, reinvention, and the courage to follow an unconventional path. At 27, Richard left Philadelphia for Costa Rica with nothing but a vision. Today, he leads a 150-person company, has trained more than 10,000 telemarketers, and has spent nearly 25 years building a business centered on culture, human connection, and excellence. But this conversation goes far beyond entrepreneurship Richard shares the mindset that helped him overcome family expectations, societal pressure, and the fear that comes with choosing a different path. He opens up about building a thriving company in a foreign country, creating a workplace people are proud to be part of, and what founders often misunderstand about leadership, culture, and AI. We also explore the personal side of his journey, from his passion for restoring American pinball machines and antique jukeboxes, to funding scholarships for language students, to the unforgettable story of producing a rock video with INXS bassist Garry Gary Beers.