The RebelRebel Podcast is a regular dive into the hearts and minds of creative rebels and entrepreneurs from around the globe, it's a love letter to those mad fools who think audaciously and act courageously in service to making the world a better and more interesting place.

“You shouldn’t use words to burn. They should be for light and for warmth.”

Richard has spent the last 19 years running a near-shore bilingual contact center that thrives on empathy, communication, and human connection in an era dominated by automation.

In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center. Richard has spent the last 19 years running a near-shore bilingual contact center that thrives on empathy, communication, and human connection in an era dominated by automation .

Richard’s story begins in Philadelphia, where childhood trips to Mexico sparked his love of Spanish and culture. After studying Spanish in college, he took what was supposed to be a short trip to Costa Rica to teach English at a friend’s center. Instead, he fell in love—with the country, with the culture, and with the woman who would become his wife. That leap of faith became a lifelong adventure, culminating in the creation of Costa Rica’s Call Center .

He explains why call centers aren’t just about dialing lists—they’re about rhetoric, persuasion, and the art of speech. For Richard, the real skill lies in listening, building rapport, and finding those rare “positive escalations” where a customer compliments an representative to their supervisor. He compares communication to fire: it can burn, but it can also light and warm, and the best representatives know how to use it for encouragement and clarity .

The conversation ranges widely, from his love of 1970s electromechanical pinball machines and jukebox rescues in the Costa Rican mountains, to his passion for movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Maltese Falcon. Richard also shares the daily joys of Costa Rican life—warm rain in a convertible, fresh seafood at the market, and the surreal beauty of the rainforest .

At the heart of it all is his philosophy: rebels in waiting should remove unnecessary weight, play the long game, and find balance. Business doesn’t require shortcuts or being number one—it requires integrity, patience, and compassion. His advice is simple: plan ahead, stay curious, and make space for yourself so your best ideas can surface.

Quoteable Quotes

“It’s a luxury trade—where else can you speak to hundreds of people a day?” — Richard Blank

“You shouldn’t use words to burn. They should be for light and for warmth.” — Richard Blank

“If you can’t find ways to decompress, you’ll never last as an entrepreneur.” — Richard Blank

“They need more compassion—it starts with simply acknowledging existence.” — Richard Blank

“You’re Canadian, that’s fun.” — Richard Blank

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Join Dr. John Torrens, an award-winning professor and entrepreneur, as he guides high-performing entrepreneurs, founders, and executives on a journey to redefine success. In The Total Entrepreneur: Mind, Body, Spirit, you'll learn how to balance business success with a fulfilling, healthy lifestyle. Each episode blends cutting-edge academic research with real-life insights from entrepreneurs, health experts, and researchers. Discover evidence-based strategies to prevent burnout, improve well-being, and create a life where purpose, productivity, and wellness thrive together.

He Built a Multi Million Dollar Call Center Empire in Costa Rica

In this episode of The Total Entrepreneur, host John M. Torrens sits down with Richard Blank, the CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center, to reveal the secrets behind mastering communication, cold calling psychology, and building a successful business from scratch.

https://youtu.be/FdUkGfBPGFE

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Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ

Richard Blank Call Center commercial with Rapper GblackDaBest and Freestyle break-dancer Yeik Lawson Rodríguez.

https://youtu.be/GQvGZYcX71s?si=3I6N3p-LVxwTvnh2

#DrJohnTorrens #TheTotalEntrepreneurPodcast #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO

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Welcome to the Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, the go-to show for high-performing business owners, executives, and professionals who aspire to elevate their personal, professional, and financial lives. Hosted by Michael Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan, each episode dives deep into the inspiring stories and invaluable insights of top industry

Welcome to the Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, the go-to show for high-performing business owners, executives, and professionals who aspire to elevate their personal, professional, and financial lives. Hosted by Michael Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan, each episode dives deep into the inspiring stories and invaluable insights of top industry leaders who have navigated the complex landscape of success with drive and determination.

From leadership strategies and innovative business tactics to personal growth and financial acumen, our guests share their unscripted journeys to success, offering listeners practical advice and motivation to reach new heights.

Join us on Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, where we celebrate the relentless pursuit of excellence and empower you to achieve greatness in every facet of your life. Subscribe now and get ready to be inspired, challenged, and driven to succeed!

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, hosts Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan sit down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center. From Philadelphia roots to building a thriving business in Central America, Richard’s story is about resilience, authenticity, and the courage to take the “tortoise approach” in life and business.

Richard shares why self-analysis is the key to self-awareness and how leaders can use reflection, empathy, and authenticity to build stronger teams. He opens up about:

How studying Spanish shaped his career and led him to Costa Rica

Why hiring for attitude beats hiring for skill

How pinball machines and arcade games became a secret weapon for reducing turnover

The importance of asking the right questions in interviews to uncover real character

How self-analysis, empathy, and authenticity drive both personal and professional growth

This week’s guest is Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center. Richard’s story takes us from Philadelphia to Costa Rica, where he built a company grounded in resilience, empathy, and authenticity.

In our conversation, he shares why self-analysis drives self-awareness, why he hires for attitude before skill, and how pinball machines and arcade games have become part of his unique workplace culture.

It’s an inspiring episode you won’t want to miss!

https://youtu.be/PVQNxb_aKIY?si=5ZH8CSntnKVPLW5a

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https://youtube.com/shorts/RbWy2leJlvY

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.