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.

Welcome to Inside Marketing with MarketSurge — your front-row seat to the boldest business insights, marketing breakthroughs, and entrepreneurial real talk. Hosted by Reed Hansen, Chief Growth Officer at MarketSurge and a digital marketing veteran who's helped scale everything from scrappy startups to Fortune 500 giants, this podcast dives deep into what’s really moving the needle in today’s marketing world. Find us at Marketsurge.io Each week, we’ll break down the latest marketing and business news (minus the fluff), explore tech trends you actually need to know, and feature unfiltered conversations with the most interesting minds in entrepreneurship and marketing.

Welcome to MarketSurge!

Are you a small business owner, marketing professional, or entrepreneur looking to elevate your marketing game? You're in the right place. At MarketSurge, we simplify and demonstrate the value of marketing automation, making it accessible and actionable for businesses of all sizes.

Stay Ahead in Marketing: Get the latest automation strategies tailored for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Step-by-Step Tutorials: Our practical, easy-to-follow guides and real use-cases help you implement automation strategies effortlessly.

Community Insights: Join a thriving community of like-minded professionals sharing insights, tips, and success stories.

Latest Tech Updates: Stay up-to-date with the newest advancements in marketing technology.

Join us at MarketSurge and revolutionize the way you approach marketing. Subscribe now to never miss an upda

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Blank, founder and CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center.

From Northeast Philly to San José, Richard shares his journey of betting on himself, moving abroad, and building a thriving nearshore BPO from a one-seat operation to a company that now powers:

Inbound customer support

Lead generation

Appointment setting

Sales training & coaching

He’s trained over 10,000 bilingual telemarketers, launched a telemarketing school, and even infused gamification into company culture with retro arcade pinball, jukeboxes, and air hockey. His story is one of grit, creativity, and a relentless belief in the art of communication.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to scale a business without outside investment, how to build culture in unexpected industries, or how traditional call centers adapt in the era of AI — this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Richard left Philadelphia at age 27 to pursue a short-term gig that turned into a 19-year business journey.

How he grew Costa Rica’s Call Center without outside investors, staying lean and resourceful.

The unique coaching and training methods he’s developed after analyzing 10,000+ calls.

Why empathy, soft skills, and gamification are still critical in the call center industry.

How human connection outperforms AI when it comes to building trust and saving clients.

https://youtu.be/K76hk_ikwNA

https://youtu.be/8H_yWh1hHFg

https://youtu.be/A9pe8y4lEf8

https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/episodes/telemarketing-reinvented-richard-blank-s-journey-to-building-costa-rica-s-call-center

https://youtu.be/J7t9cZT4HSk

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https://youtu.be/0wBmSX8uIDI

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

What Happens When You Ditch the American Dream for a Real One?

Rosabel Unscripted Podcast

Welcome to Rosabel Unscripted podcast where meaningful conversations unfold. Join Rosabel Zohfeld, nurse practitioner, writer, and mom, as she explores personal growth, health insights, literature, and impactful life stories. Featuring guests who share their unique perspectives, Rosabel dives into the unscripted moments that shape our lives. Tune in for inspiring, authentic, and educational discussions on the beauty and complexity of life.

What does it really take to start over in a new country—and build a *business* from the ground up? In this episode of Rosabel Unscripted, host Rosabel Zohfeld sits down with Richard Blank, *CEO* of Costa Rica’s Call Center, to explore his incredible journey from Philadelphia to Costa Rica.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Richard left Philadelphia to chase purpose in Costa Rica

• The power of being bilingual in global business

• How courage and self-trust lead to authentic success

• The difference between building for ego vs. building for values

• Insights into creating a positive work culture

• What it takes to reinvent your life—at any age

Chapters / Timestamps:

00:00 The Weight of Wisdom

01:00 Richard’s journey from Philadelphia to Costa Rica and the challenges he faced

05:30 The importance of being bilingual and how it opened doors for Richard

12:45 Building a business aligned with personal values rather than societal expectations

15:00 💬 “Life is all about starting and reinventing ourselves.”

20:15 The role of courage and self-trust in personal and professional growth

22:20 Human Connection in Healthcare

25:12 Cultural Perspectives on Care

25:45 💬 “If you think it’s plug and play and it’s easy like they show in Hollywood, you’re out of your mind.”

27:54 The Call Center Experience

30:00 Insights into Richard’s leadership style and the culture at Costa Rica’s Call Center

30:41 Nostalgia and Childhood Memories

33:31 The Evolution of Technology and Play

39:45 Childhood Mischief and Apologies

42:19 Growing Up in the 80s: A Nostalgic Reflection

43:35 Teaching Children Appreciation for What They Have

45:42 The Value of Imagination in Play

48:32 Handmade Gifts vs. Store-Bought: The Personal Touch

50:21 Exploring Human History and the Impact of Technology

51:43 Personal Stories of Growth and Learning from Mistakes

58:37 Childhood Adventures and Mischief

01:00:56 Parenting Reflections and Generational Insights

01:03:40 Community and Generosity

01:05:34 Adopting a Child: A New Perspective

01:06:46 Inspiration and Creativity

01:14:21 Embracing Authenticity and Uniqueness

https://youtu.be/zO7bPzXo9Sg

https://youtu.be/C9d0E09hhCs

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https://youtu.be/b3mVS4ucH-8

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

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

Richard Blank produced a Rap Breakdancing video commercial

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

Rosabel Unscripted Podcast, Rosabel Zohfeld , Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing, BPO, Nearshore, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business,Podcast,Gamification,Leadership,Marketing, Radio, Guest, Money, education, trainer,

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