Power of Empathy on The Jamilia Grier Show. #business #telemarketing #c...

The Jamilia Grier Show. Richard Blank: Building a Business Abroad & Leading with Empathy In this powerful episode of The Jamilia Grier Show, I sit down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, to explore how he turned leading with empathy into building a business abroad. We unpack the real journey behind building a business overseas, overcoming self-doubt, leading with empathy, and mastering human connection in an AI-driven world. 00:00 – Intro: Meet Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center 01:30 – Why he left the U.S. to start over at 27 03:00 – Teaching English abroad: the unexpected door to entrepreneurship 05:10 – Overcoming pushback: Why the boldest choices are often misunderstood 07:00 – Breaking language barriers: From Philly to fluent Spanish 09:30 – Learning by immersion: How Richard mastered the call center world 11:45 – Building with empathy: Why dignity is your best employee retention strategy 13:10 – What we’ve lost in a post-COVID, remote-first world 15:00 – The power of vulnerability and showing up with heart 16:30 – How to lead 10,000+ people without losing the personal touch 19:15 – Sales redefined: Why it's really about relationship building 21:45 – Human connection vs automation: Will AI replace real empathy? 23:15 – Communicating with intention, even over text 25:10 – Entrepreneurs + sales = the mindset shift you need 28:10 – Building communication confidence (even if you're shy) 30:00 – Real leadership is hands-on (and sometimes includes pinball) 32:45 – The hiring secret: Why your coming-of-age story matters more than your résumé 34:10 – Culture building through authenticity and connection 36:00 – Why teens can be your best team members 37:45 – Surviving the hard days: Entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous, it’s earned 40:00 – The mindset to keep going when you want to quit 42:50 – Social media vs real life: Stop comparing, start building 44:50 – What real success looks like (hint: it’s not just Lamborghinis) 47:30 – A message to those stuck in unfulfilling jobs 49:12 – Final thoughts + Connect with Richard At 27 years old, Richard Blank left behind the familiar streets of Philadelphia to follow an unlikely calling — training call center workers in Costa Rica. What started as a teaching job turned into a lifelong entrepreneurial journey, building Costa Rica’s Call Center into a thriving business tht trained over 10,000 employees. In this episode, Richard shares the heartfelt risk that changed his life, why empathy is a superpower in leadership, and how learning a second language opened doors to global success. We talk about the real challenges of building a business abroad, lessons from leading with humanity, and how staying true to your values can spark an empire. The Heartfelt Risk Behind Richard Blank’s Global Success https://youtu.be/jyfEmDsHRlc?si=qb_K77XnGGUIn1xz https://youtu.be/GfP6-EFLoV0 https://youtube.com/shorts/dXWRNGRlMv0 https://youtube.com/shorts/MIYRJYs8j6A Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Jamilia Grier Show, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center If you're dreaming of a bigger life beyond your comfort zone, this conversation is your blueprint. Why Richard chose to move abroad — and how it changed everything How learning Spanish built more than just language skills Empathy as a leadership strategy, not a buzzword Overcoming doubts, setbacks, and self-doubt abroad Practical advice for building a people-centered business from scratch How staying true to your heart can lead to global success I'm Jamilia Grier — a Dubai-based mom of four, tech lawyer, and founder helping ambitious families design freedom-filled lives across borders. -Expat family life in Dubai 🇦 -Cost of living breakdowns & housing tours -Moving abroad with kids — what to know -Luxury travel & digital nomad parenting tips -Business & lifestyle strategies for global entrepreneurs -Real stories of reinvention, motherhood & modern wealth If you're exploring how to move to Dubai, start a business abroad, or raise a family with more freedom and culture — you’re in the right place. As a tech-savvy legal executive with over 15 years of global experience, I specialize in navigating complex regulatory, policy, and ethical landscapes at the intersection of law, innovation, and cross-border growth. From leading data privacy and compliance for multinationals in Asia to founding my own advisory firm focused on Web3 and AI, I bring a unique mix of legal precision, cultural fluency, and entrepreneurial vision. My work spans AI governance, blockchain regulation, digital assets, and fintech compliance—always with a strong foundation in ethics, trust, and responsible innovation. I’ve advised startups, global institutions, and government-linked entities across the U.S., China, Singapore, and the UAE. Whether I’m shaping emerging tech policy, designing ethical frameworks for AI, or guiding companies through complex international compliance, I focus on enabling innovation that is principled, scalable, and future-ready. Areas of focus: -AI Ethics, Policy & Governance -Blockchain & Digital Asset Compliance -Global Data Privacy & Cross-Border Regulation -Fintech Licensing & Risk Strategy -Tech Law in Emerging Markets -Mandarin-English Legal Negotiation & Stakeholder Alignment Let’s connect if you’re building ambitious technology with a global footprint—and want to do it with strategy, trust, and long-term impact. Author of Building a Business Abroad Host of The Jamilia Grier Show — where real journeys meet real success Entrepreneur empowering global business leaders and storytellers If you're building something bigger than yourself — a business, a brand, or a life abroad — let's connect. Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level. Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies. We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ #JamiliaGrierShow #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest The Emotional Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship You know, Richard, I have a tough question for you now. Now that we've talked about the journey, now here comes the tough stuff. So one thing you and I both know is that entrepreneurship is really tough, right? So I can tell you, you know, being just totally honest, just yesterday, two days ago, wasn't a good day. It wasn't a good day. And we go through these cycles of like mountains and lows and mountains and lows, and it changes you. I mean, I can't say that today I'm the same person that I was four years ago. I'm definitely not. What happened in your journey? Was there any sort of pivotal moment where it really shook you to your core and really changed you? Disappointment over anger. I had certain expectations individuals that did not follow through. And so they might not have been as committed as I was or things happen in life that are outside the office that I can't control. But the fact that I thought that my first employer would be with me for 20 years to get the watch and grow with the company, I'm foolish. Facing Tough Cycles and Pivotal Mistakes in Entrepreneurship Now that we've talked about the journey, now here comes the tough stuff. So one thing you and I both know is that entrepreneurship is really tough, right? So I can tell you, you know, being just totally honest, just yesterday, two days ago, wasn't a good day. It wasn't a good day. And we go through these cycles of like mountains and lows and mountains and lows, and it changes you. I mean, I can't say that today I'm the same person that I was four years ago. I'm definitely not. What happened in your journey? Was there any sort of pivotal moment where it really shook you to your core and really changed you? Disappointment over anger. I had certain expectations individuals that did not follow through. And so they might not have been as committed as I was or things happen in life that are outside the office that I can't control. But the fact that I thought that my first employer would be with me for 20 years to get the watch and grow with the company, I'm foolish. I made some mistakes by bringing outside supervisors when I should have. back in the day promoted more from within because of the people that had the respect for them. And so I made certain mistakes in regards to individuals where it was the right bus, just the wrong seat. Why Empathy and Dignity Matter in Call Centers it was very easy coming here because I just didn't start a bar or do something at the beach where I just took over something. When I was at my friend's center, I was there for four years. So Jamili, I learned the business from the inside out, not at sea level. And the call center industry is, you know, it's unique, but there's many different departments. And every time I learned retention and onboarding, human resources, SEO, you name it. It was like a graduate school. So instead of getting a job that might pay me a little bit more that had me stuck, I earned simple money in Costa Rica just working my friend's center. But the experience I had, as you say, you took it with you. I learned something very unique. I never knew what a call center was. But I learned the number one lesson. People felt expendable. And I heard the gripes. And I realized that when you're in a cubicle making phone calls, it's like a soldier. You really have to extend empathy. And then I made a promise to myself, if I ever get the chance of one in a million shot to start a company, the number one rule I would have is to give people their dignity. The Hard Truth: It's Not Easy But It's Worth It I think it's so important for people to hear us talking about the difficult times, right? Like a lot of people get on like, oh yeah, you know, done this, you know, moved to Dubai and, you know, did this and, you know, 10,000 weeks. Okay, okay, okay. But what did it take? Like, what did it cost? How did that feel? How many times did you have to get back up? Because I never want anyone to listen to me or read a book or anything and say, oh, it's easy. If anything, I'm telling you, it's not easy. I'm telling you it's not easy. I'm telling you it's worth it, but I'm telling you it's not easy. And you're saying it's not easy, but it's worth it. And I think what you're saying, I mean, what really resonates with me is this idea of the journey and how it makes you and how that's what life is. Like we're not, I mean, yeah, we like yachts, right? Okay. We like champagne, but we're not doing it just for that. We're doing it because it is the exercise. It's the routine. And that's where you build yourself.

Learning Spanish the Old Way on The Jamilia Grier Show. #business #telem...

The Jamilia Grier Show. Richard Blank: Building a Business Abroad & Leading with Empathy In this powerful episode of The Jamilia Grier Show, I sit down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, to explore how he turned leading with empathy into building a business abroad. We unpack the real journey behind building a business overseas, overcoming self-doubt, leading with empathy, and mastering human connection in an AI-driven world. 00:00 – Intro: Meet Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center 01:30 – Why he left the U.S. to start over at 27 03:00 – Teaching English abroad: the unexpected door to entrepreneurship 05:10 – Overcoming pushback: Why the boldest choices are often misunderstood 07:00 – Breaking language barriers: From Philly to fluent Spanish 09:30 – Learning by immersion: How Richard mastered the call center world 11:45 – Building with empathy: Why dignity is your best employee retention strategy 13:10 – What we’ve lost in a post-COVID, remote-first world 15:00 – The power of vulnerability and showing up with heart 16:30 – How to lead 10,000+ people without losing the personal touch 19:15 – Sales redefined: Why it's really about relationship building 21:45 – Human connection vs automation: Will AI replace real empathy? 23:15 – Communicating with intention, even over text 25:10 – Entrepreneurs + sales = the mindset shift you need 28:10 – Building communication confidence (even if you're shy) 30:00 – Real leadership is hands-on (and sometimes includes pinball) 32:45 – The hiring secret: Why your coming-of-age story matters more than your résumé 34:10 – Culture building through authenticity and connection 36:00 – Why teens can be your best team members 37:45 – Surviving the hard days: Entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous, it’s earned 40:00 – The mindset to keep going when you want to quit 42:50 – Social media vs real life: Stop comparing, start building 44:50 – What real success looks like (hint: it’s not just Lamborghinis) 47:30 – A message to those stuck in unfulfilling jobs 49:12 – Final thoughts + Connect with Richard At 27 years old, Richard Blank left behind the familiar streets of Philadelphia to follow an unlikely calling — training call center workers in Costa Rica. What started as a teaching job turned into a lifelong entrepreneurial journey, building Costa Rica’s Call Center into a thriving business tht trained over 10,000 employees. In this episode, Richard shares the heartfelt risk that changed his life, why empathy is a superpower in leadership, and how learning a second language opened doors to global success. We talk about the real challenges of building a business abroad, lessons from leading with humanity, and how staying true to your values can spark an empire. The Heartfelt Risk Behind Richard Blank’s Global Success https://youtu.be/jyfEmDsHRlc?si=qb_K77XnGGUIn1xz https://youtu.be/GfP6-EFLoV0 https://youtube.com/shorts/dXWRNGRlMv0 Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Jamilia Grier Show, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center If you're dreaming of a bigger life beyond your comfort zone, this conversation is your blueprint. Why Richard chose to move abroad — and how it changed everything How learning Spanish built more than just language skills Empathy as a leadership strategy, not a buzzword Overcoming doubts, setbacks, and self-doubt abroad Practical advice for building a people-centered business from scratch How staying true to your heart can lead to global success I'm Jamilia Grier — a Dubai-based mom of four, tech lawyer, and founder helping ambitious families design freedom-filled lives across borders. -Expat family life in Dubai 🇦 -Cost of living breakdowns & housing tours -Moving abroad with kids — what to know -Luxury travel & digital nomad parenting tips -Business & lifestyle strategies for global entrepreneurs -Real stories of reinvention, motherhood & modern wealth If you're exploring how to move to Dubai, start a business abroad, or raise a family with more freedom and culture — you’re in the right place. As a tech-savvy legal executive with over 15 years of global experience, I specialize in navigating complex regulatory, policy, and ethical landscapes at the intersection of law, innovation, and cross-border growth. From leading data privacy and compliance for multinationals in Asia to founding my own advisory firm focused on Web3 and AI, I bring a unique mix of legal precision, cultural fluency, and entrepreneurial vision. My work spans AI governance, blockchain regulation, digital assets, and fintech compliance—always with a strong foundation in ethics, trust, and responsible innovation. I’ve advised startups, global institutions, and government-linked entities across the U.S., China, Singapore, and the UAE. Whether I’m shaping emerging tech policy, designing ethical frameworks for AI, or guiding companies through complex international compliance, I focus on enabling innovation that is principled, scalable, and future-ready. Areas of focus: -AI Ethics, Policy & Governance -Blockchain & Digital Asset Compliance -Global Data Privacy & Cross-Border Regulation -Fintech Licensing & Risk Strategy -Tech Law in Emerging Markets -Mandarin-English Legal Negotiation & Stakeholder Alignment Let’s connect if you’re building ambitious technology with a global footprint—and want to do it with strategy, trust, and long-term impact. Author of Building a Business Abroad Host of The Jamilia Grier Show — where real journeys meet real success Entrepreneur empowering global business leaders and storytellers If you're building something bigger than yourself — a business, a brand, or a life abroad — let's connect. Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level. Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies. We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ #JamiliaGrierShow #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest The Emotional Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship You know, Richard, I have a tough question for you now. Now that we've talked about the journey, now here comes the tough stuff. So one thing you and I both know is that entrepreneurship is really tough, right? So I can tell you, you know, being just totally honest, just yesterday, two days ago, wasn't a good day. It wasn't a good day. And we go through these cycles of like mountains and lows and mountains and lows, and it changes you. I mean, I can't say that today I'm the same person that I was four years ago. I'm definitely not. What happened in your journey? Was there any sort of pivotal moment where it really shook you to your core and really changed you? Disappointment over anger. I had certain expectations individuals that did not follow through. And so they might not have been as committed as I was or things happen in life that are outside the office that I can't control. But the fact that I thought that my first employer would be with me for 20 years to get the watch and grow with the company, I'm foolish. Facing Tough Cycles and Pivotal Mistakes in Entrepreneurship Now that we've talked about the journey, now here comes the tough stuff. So one thing you and I both know is that entrepreneurship is really tough, right? So I can tell you, you know, being just totally honest, just yesterday, two days ago, wasn't a good day. It wasn't a good day. And we go through these cycles of like mountains and lows and mountains and lows, and it changes you. I mean, I can't say that today I'm the same person that I was four years ago. I'm definitely not. What happened in your journey? Was there any sort of pivotal moment where it really shook you to your core and really changed you? Disappointment over anger. I had certain expectations individuals that did not follow through. And so they might not have been as committed as I was or things happen in life that are outside the office that I can't control. But the fact that I thought that my first employer would be with me for 20 years to get the watch and grow with the company, I'm foolish. I made some mistakes by bringing outside supervisors when I should have. back in the day promoted more from within because of the people that had the respect for them. And so I made certain mistakes in regards to individuals where it was the right bus, just the wrong seat. Why Empathy and Dignity Matter in Call Centers it was very easy coming here because I just didn't start a bar or do something at the beach where I just took over something. When I was at my friend's center, I was there for four years. So Jamili, I learned the business from the inside out, not at sea level. And the call center industry is, you know, it's unique, but there's many different departments. And every time I learned retention and onboarding, human resources, SEO, you name it. It was like a graduate school. So instead of getting a job that might pay me a little bit more that had me stuck, I earned simple money in Costa Rica just working my friend's center. But the experience I had, as you say, you took it with you. I learned something very unique. I never knew what a call center was. But I learned the number one lesson. People felt expendable. And I heard the gripes. And I realized that when you're in a cubicle making phone calls, it's like a soldier. You really have to extend empathy. And then I made a promise to myself, if I ever get the chance of one in a million shot to start a company, the number one rule I would have is to give people their dignity. The Hard Truth: It's Not Easy But It's Worth It I think it's so important for people to hear us talking about the difficult times, right? Like a lot of people get on like, oh yeah, you know, done this, you know, moved to Dubai and, you know, did this and, you know, 10,000 weeks. Okay, okay, okay. But what did it take? Like, what did it cost? How did that feel? How many times did you have to get back up? Because I never want anyone to listen to me or read a book or anything and say, oh, it's easy. If anything, I'm telling you, it's not easy. I'm telling you it's not easy. I'm telling you it's worth it, but I'm telling you it's not easy. And you're saying it's not easy, but it's worth it. And I think what you're saying, I mean, what really resonates with me is this idea of the journey and how it makes you and how that's what life is. Like we're not, I mean, yeah, we like yachts, right? Okay. We like champagne, but we're not doing it just for that. We're doing it because it is the exercise. It's the routine. And that's where you build yourself.

The Jamilia Grier Show teaser. The Heartfelt Risk Behind Richard Blank’s...

The Jamilia Grier Show. Richard Blank: Building a Business Abroad & Leading with Empathy In this powerful episode of The Jamilia Grier Show, I sit down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, to explore how he turned leading with empathy into building a business abroad. We unpack the real journey behind building a business overseas, overcoming self-doubt, leading with empathy, and mastering human connection in an AI-driven world. 00:00 – Intro: Meet Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center 01:30 – Why he left the U.S. to start over at 27 03:00 – Teaching English abroad: the unexpected door to entrepreneurship 05:10 – Overcoming pushback: Why the boldest choices are often misunderstood 07:00 – Breaking language barriers: From Philly to fluent Spanish 09:30 – Learning by immersion: How Richard mastered the call center world 11:45 – Building with empathy: Why dignity is your best employee retention strategy 13:10 – What we’ve lost in a post-COVID, remote-first world 15:00 – The power of vulnerability and showing up with heart 16:30 – How to lead 10,000+ people without losing the personal touch 19:15 – Sales redefined: Why it's really about relationship building 21:45 – Human connection vs automation: Will AI replace real empathy? 23:15 – Communicating with intention, even over text 25:10 – Entrepreneurs + sales = the mindset shift you need 28:10 – Building communication confidence (even if you're shy) 30:00 – Real leadership is hands-on (and sometimes includes pinball) 32:45 – The hiring secret: Why your coming-of-age story matters more than your résumé 34:10 – Culture building through authenticity and connection 36:00 – Why teens can be your best team members 37:45 – Surviving the hard days: Entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous, it’s earned 40:00 – The mindset to keep going when you want to quit 42:50 – Social media vs real life: Stop comparing, start building 44:50 – What real success looks like (hint: it’s not just Lamborghinis) 47:30 – A message to those stuck in unfulfilling jobs 49:12 – Final thoughts + Connect with Richard At 27 years old, Richard Blank left behind the familiar streets of Philadelphia to follow an unlikely calling — training call center workers in Costa Rica. What started as a teaching job turned into a lifelong entrepreneurial journey, building Costa Rica’s Call Center into a thriving business tht trained over 10,000 employees. In this episode, Richard shares the heartfelt risk that changed his life, why empathy is a superpower in leadership, and how learning a second language opened doors to global success. We talk about the real challenges of building a business abroad, lessons from leading with humanity, and how staying true to your values can spark an empire. The Heartfelt Risk Behind Richard Blank’s Global Success https://youtu.be/jyfEmDsHRlc?si=qb_K77XnGGUIn1xz https://youtu.be/GfP6-EFLoV0 Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Jamilia Grier Show, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center If you're dreaming of a bigger life beyond your comfort zone, this conversation is your blueprint. Why Richard chose to move abroad — and how it changed everything How learning Spanish built more than just language skills Empathy as a leadership strategy, not a buzzword Overcoming doubts, setbacks, and self-doubt abroad Practical advice for building a people-centered business from scratch How staying true to your heart can lead to global success I'm Jamilia Grier — a Dubai-based mom of four, tech lawyer, and founder helping ambitious families design freedom-filled lives across borders. -Expat family life in Dubai 🇦 -Cost of living breakdowns & housing tours -Moving abroad with kids — what to know -Luxury travel & digital nomad parenting tips -Business & lifestyle strategies for global entrepreneurs -Real stories of reinvention, motherhood & modern wealth If you're exploring how to move to Dubai, start a business abroad, or raise a family with more freedom and culture — you’re in the right place. As a tech-savvy legal executive with over 15 years of global experience, I specialize in navigating complex regulatory, policy, and ethical landscapes at the intersection of law, innovation, and cross-border growth. From leading data privacy and compliance for multinationals in Asia to founding my own advisory firm focused on Web3 and AI, I bring a unique mix of legal precision, cultural fluency, and entrepreneurial vision. My work spans AI governance, blockchain regulation, digital assets, and fintech compliance—always with a strong foundation in ethics, trust, and responsible innovation. I’ve advised startups, global institutions, and government-linked entities across the U.S., China, Singapore, and the UAE. Whether I’m shaping emerging tech policy, designing ethical frameworks for AI, or guiding companies through complex international compliance, I focus on enabling innovation that is principled, scalable, and future-ready. Areas of focus: -AI Ethics, Policy & Governance -Blockchain & Digital Asset Compliance -Global Data Privacy & Cross-Border Regulation -Fintech Licensing & Risk Strategy -Tech Law in Emerging Markets -Mandarin-English Legal Negotiation & Stakeholder Alignment Let’s connect if you’re building ambitious technology with a global footprint—and want to do it with strategy, trust, and long-term impact. Author of Building a Business Abroad Host of The Jamilia Grier Show — where real journeys meet real success Entrepreneur empowering global business leaders and storytellers If you're building something bigger than yourself — a business, a brand, or a life abroad — let's connect. Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Jamilia Grier Show, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level. Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies. We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ #JamiliaGrierShow #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest

The Jamilia Grier Show. Richard Blank: Building a Business Abroad & Lead...

The Jamilia Grier Show. Richard Blank: Building a Business Abroad & Leading with Empathy In this powerful episode of The Jamilia Grier Show, I sit down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, to explore how he turned leading with empathy into building a business abroad. We unpack the real journey behind building a business overseas, overcoming self-doubt, leading with empathy, and mastering human connection in an AI-driven world. 00:00 – Intro: Meet Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center 01:30 – Why he left the U.S. to start over at 27 03:00 – Teaching English abroad: the unexpected door to entrepreneurship 05:10 – Overcoming pushback: Why the boldest choices are often misunderstood 07:00 – Breaking language barriers: From Philly to fluent Spanish 09:30 – Learning by immersion: How Richard mastered the call center world 11:45 – Building with empathy: Why dignity is your best employee retention strategy 13:10 – What we’ve lost in a post-COVID, remote-first world 15:00 – The power of vulnerability and showing up with heart 16:30 – How to lead 10,000+ people without losing the personal touch 19:15 – Sales redefined: Why it's really about relationship building 21:45 – Human connection vs automation: Will AI replace real empathy? 23:15 – Communicating with intention, even over text 25:10 – Entrepreneurs + sales = the mindset shift you need 28:10 – Building communication confidence (even if you're shy) 30:00 – Real leadership is hands-on (and sometimes includes pinball) 32:45 – The hiring secret: Why your coming-of-age story matters more than your résumé 34:10 – Culture building through authenticity and connection 36:00 – Why teens can be your best team members 37:45 – Surviving the hard days: Entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous, it’s earned 40:00 – The mindset to keep going when you want to quit 42:50 – Social media vs real life: Stop comparing, start building 44:50 – What real success looks like (hint: it’s not just Lamborghinis) 47:30 – A message to those stuck in unfulfilling jobs 49:12 – Final thoughts + Connect with Richard At 27 years old, Richard Blank left behind the familiar streets of Philadelphia to follow an unlikely calling — training call center workers in Costa Rica. What started as a teaching job turned into a lifelong entrepreneurial journey, building Costa Rica’s Call Center into a thriving business tht trained over 10,000 employees. In this episode, Richard shares the heartfelt risk that changed his life, why empathy is a superpower in leadership, and how learning a second language opened doors to global success. We talk about the real challenges of building a business abroad, lessons from leading with humanity, and how staying true to your values can spark an empire. The Heartfelt Risk Behind Richard Blank’s Global Success https://youtu.be/jyfEmDsHRlc?si=qb_K77XnGGUIn1xz Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Jamilia Grier Show, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center If you're dreaming of a bigger life beyond your comfort zone, this conversation is your blueprint. Why Richard chose to move abroad — and how it changed everything How learning Spanish built more than just language skills Empathy as a leadership strategy, not a buzzword Overcoming doubts, setbacks, and self-doubt abroad Practical advice for building a people-centered business from scratch How staying true to your heart can lead to global success I'm Jamilia Grier — a Dubai-based mom of four, tech lawyer, and founder helping ambitious families design freedom-filled lives across borders. -Expat family life in Dubai 🇦 -Cost of living breakdowns & housing tours -Moving abroad with kids — what to know -Luxury travel & digital nomad parenting tips -Business & lifestyle strategies for global entrepreneurs -Real stories of reinvention, motherhood & modern wealth If you're exploring how to move to Dubai, start a business abroad, or raise a family with more freedom and culture — you’re in the right place. As a tech-savvy legal executive with over 15 years of global experience, I specialize in navigating complex regulatory, policy, and ethical landscapes at the intersection of law, innovation, and cross-border growth. From leading data privacy and compliance for multinationals in Asia to founding my own advisory firm focused on Web3 and AI, I bring a unique mix of legal precision, cultural fluency, and entrepreneurial vision. My work spans AI governance, blockchain regulation, digital assets, and fintech compliance—always with a strong foundation in ethics, trust, and responsible innovation. I’ve advised startups, global institutions, and government-linked entities across the U.S., China, Singapore, and the UAE. Whether I’m shaping emerging tech policy, designing ethical frameworks for AI, or guiding companies through complex international compliance, I focus on enabling innovation that is principled, scalable, and future-ready. Areas of focus: -AI Ethics, Policy & Governance -Blockchain & Digital Asset Compliance -Global Data Privacy & Cross-Border Regulation -Fintech Licensing & Risk Strategy -Tech Law in Emerging Markets -Mandarin-English Legal Negotiation & Stakeholder Alignment Let’s connect if you’re building ambitious technology with a global footprint—and want to do it with strategy, trust, and long-term impact. Author of Building a Business Abroad Host of The Jamilia Grier Show — where real journeys meet real success Entrepreneur empowering global business leaders and storytellers If you're building something bigger than yourself — a business, a brand, or a life abroad — let's connect. Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Jamilia Grier Show, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level. Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies. We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ #JamiliaGrierShow #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest

Life with Richard Blank

Happy Juneteenth Day!!! Welcome to the Life with Joey Calvo Podcast YouTube live stream!!! If you have any questions for the guest, please post them in the comments now Today, I am chatting with Richard Blank, a former Philadelphian who started a company from scratch in Costa Rica and has been CEO for Costa Rica's Call Center since 2008. If you love smooth jazz like I do, you really have to check out Eric Essix. He has a new CD out as well as a photo gallery exhibit!!!! Music: www.ericessix.net Photography: www.ericessixphotogaphy.com Check out Model & Actress Carol Alt. She has awesome health & beauty tips as well as healthy recipes that look so good!!!! Go to www.carolalt.com If you love Wonder Woman, you really have to check out American Fox & DFW Wonder Woman. They are truly beautiful, truly sexy and would be the best friend to turn to with their wisdom, their kindness & their generosity.

Defining Innovation: Vision, Dreams, and Metaphysical Inspiration.#busin...

The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast hosted by Dr. Eulanda Sanders. Special guest interview Richard Blank The iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eulanda Sanders, welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: exploring the multifaceted realm of innovation. The insightful Dr. Eulanda Sanders hosts the iNNOVATION Insights podcast, which welcomes a mosaic of voices from different backgrounds, industries, and expertise, converging on a singular goal: to explore the multifaceted realm of innovation. Eulanda deftly navigates conversations that unearth the macro and micro nuances of what it truly means to innovate, from entrepreneurs to researchers to thinkers to creators. But this is not just a podcast. It is a challenge. It is a challenge to ignite a flame of curiosity in every listener and to inspire them to look at the world through the lens of possibility. At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services. Eulanda Sanders the founder of INNOVATION Insights Some podcast guests leave a lasting impression not only for their insights, but for the energy they bring into a room—even virtually. Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center and self-described linguist, motivator, and arcade enthusiast, is one of those rare people. We connected through PodPage, and from our very first interaction, I knew this would be more than an interview—it would be a deep dive into leadership, communication, and innovation through a Gen X lens. Our shared cultural touchstones, from The Breakfast Club to old-school landlines, set the tone for a rich, inspiring conversation about building businesses with integrity, heart, and humanity. Breaking Out: Choosing a Different Path from Family Expectations But to see the first downs compared to the touchdowns and see the progress. It's a beautiful thing. And so for me, it was a lot of expectations. My grandfather went to Harvard Law. My father was in Columbia Business School. My older brother went to Washington and Lee University. What? When I was thinking about that. I realized that I could have potentially forced myself in it, but I would have been stretched thin. It's like that very small cage for that beautiful bird with large wings. And I could picture myself Pink Floyd the wall being a brick, walking into that meat grinding machine, any sort of imaginary thing you could see of being pushed into a Japanese subway car or one of the nameless individuals walking down the New York sidewalks in a suit like they do in those imagery. I couldn't see that. I'm not saying that I'm special, but my goodness gracious, I wanted to step out of that current in the river and get out of that for a second. And just to look left and right before the next 50 years would go by. And so, as a young man, I had to make exceptionally big decisions as a boy. But I knew this. Confidence and Courage: Training for Real Communication Well, that's an excellent question, Yolanda. First, let me just finish off on an idea. Most people today are communicating through non-voice. They'll do text and email and chatting. That's fine. It's convenient, but it leaves room for misinterpretation. And you don't really get that sort of sense of someone's feel at the moment. So what sort of training do I do? Well, first it's confidence. Most people would rather do anything else, but stand up and do public speaking or telemarketing. Well, just like Indiana Jones, if you're afraid to go in the cave and he does, then he gets all the riches and all the gold. It's about being, it's a hero's journey, being bold and brave. Look at the education you and your younger sister have. In the beginning, you thought it was just a mountain you couldn't climb and people have tried and quit. And, you know, there's a lot of weight that people can put on you. And if you can eliminate that weight, chances are you can go further. And so something now that we're older, we look back on seemed impossible. It's just part of the process. And if you don't hit the gym, you don't get stronger. And for me, I saw it as dedicated practice. Creating Something Out of Nothing: The Magic of Innovation I think I can make this into... Inferno, something huge. Either grow big or blow up. But guess what I created? Something out of nothing. Like a magician that does a red herring, a sleight of hand. But in this case, it wasn't a sleight of hand. It was literally a feeling that turned into a focus, that turned into an idea that came out of me into something that was physical so I could see it. But then all of a sudden turned into that. Defining Innovation: Vision, Dreams, and Metaphysical Inspiration Innovation is image streaming. Innovation is having vision. Like the flex capacitor when Doc Brown hit his head and he saw it. Sometimes people have these visions or these dreams. I mean, if you want to talk about innovation, you can think of the industrial revolution and putting things together, the widget or the people in the science lab with the big whiteboard and all the numbers and charts and designs. My, my innovation is the connection from nothing to something. And it had to have come from somewhere. And it's the metaphysics that we will never be able to truly explain that somehow puts you where the stars are aligned and everything seems right, where your mind and body are at the right place for you to have this idea that pops into your head and then you put it into action. https://youtu.be/h5Ylk-QnjL0 https://youtube.com/shorts/QfpKyLIushE https://youtu.be/pM8S8-giwNY https://youtube.com/shorts/EF05zP-w0Zs https://youtube.com/shorts/H6yiDAc9co4 https://youtube.com/shorts/axddQgA4_lc https://youtube.com/shorts/k3RR96xMeik https://youtube.com/shorts/k-D_B8ybnfs https://youtu.be/jzF35L7dipU https://youtu.be/mWm6S7b5amc https://youtu.be/CTsz7Sr4jP8 Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, Eulanda Sanders, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center From Philadelphia to Costa Rica: A Linguist's Journey to Leadership Richard’s journey from Northeast Philadelphia to founding a call center in Costa Rica was anything but linear. After graduating from Abington High School, he chose to major in Spanish at the University of Arizona—against conventional advice and expectations. His early professional experiences with Corona and Telemundo sharpened his communication skills, but it was a bold decision at age 27 to teach English at a friend’s call center in Costa Rica that sparked his entrepreneurial fire. Over time, he learned the call center industry from the inside out, eventually launching Costa Rica’s Call Center with his wife. Eighteen years later, their business stands as a testament to slow growth, strategic planning, and deep respect for culture. Soft Skills as Innovation: The Art of the Phone Call Richard sees call centers not simply as job sites, but as arenas for mastering “the art of speech.” In an era dominated by non-voice communication—texts, emails, emojis—he emphasizes the irreplaceable power of voice-to-voice connection. “You can say something that someone will remember for fifty years,” he told me. His training philosophy includes removing ego-challenging language (“help” becomes “assist,” “sorry” becomes “for clarification”), and embracing discomfort as growth. His call center is a training ground where diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and real-time storytelling are constantly honed. Building a Business with Integrity and Arcade Games In our conversation, Richard emphasized that innovation is not about scaling rapidly or chasing investors. Instead, he champions “acting your wage,” ethical decision-making, and pacing growth with sustainability in mind. He started small—renting space, building rows one at a time, investing in technology—and only purchased his building when it made financial sense. But it is not all spreadsheets and strategy. Richard created a workplace culture that includes retro arcade games, pinball machines, and communal break spaces designed to foster fun and decompress stress. Why? Because people do their best work when they feel valued and balanced. As he said, “Recess was the best part of the day anyway.” The Hero’s Journey and the Gen X Work Ethic One of the most poignant parts of our conversation was Richard’s take on the hero’s journey—how stepping off the conventional path gave him the clarity and courage to create his own future. As Gen Xers, many of us grew up having to earn connection through direct communication—calling friends on landlines, knocking on doors, riding bikes around the neighborhood. Richard channels that same resourcefulness and hustle into everything he does. He reminded us that the best leaders are not always in the corner office. Sometimes they are jumping on calls, mentoring staff, or simply being present with their teams. His brand of leadership is humble, human, and deeply grounded in relationship-building. Innovation as Energy, Emotion, and Action When asked to define innovation, Richard gave a beautiful and layered answer: “Innovation is image streaming... a feeling that turns into a focus, that turns into an idea.” His most personal example? The moment he envisioned his company’s logo in a dream—an art deco-style image with CCC glowing in neon—and brought it to life with clay the next day. Innovation, to Richard, is not reserved for the lab or boardroom. It happens in everyday moments, creative sparks, and courageous decisions. It can be a new approach to customer service, a softer way of speaking, or a business built around caring for employees instead of squeezing profit margins. Final Thoughts: Leadership Lessons from a Pinball-Wielding CEO If there is one takeaway from this episode, it is that innovation starts with authenticity. Whether you are a Gen Xer tired of corporate life or a millennial founder launching your first venture, Richard’s story is a reminder to lean into your uniqueness, slow your pace when needed, and never underestimate the power of a well-placed compliment or a well-timed risk. OUR FOUNDER I founded iNNOVATION Insights, LLC with the mission to offer a window into the minds of today's thought leaders, industry disruptors, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds to inspire our community. We challenge you to be moved, to explore, reimagine, and innovate within your spheres of influence. Let's be the catalysts of change and the harbingers of progress. - Eulanda A. Sanders Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose. Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level. Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies. We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ #iNNOVATIONInsightsPodcast #EulandaSanders #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest