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.

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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

https://youtu.be/bJ8Rw9J-2xs

https://youtu.be/1HonTCNW41o

https://youtu.be/7cXkjRXISeE

https://youtu.be/p3lWdy-3jwU

https://youtu.be/GTjeL9y5lWI

https://youtu.be/0wBmSX8uIDI

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

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.

At just 27, Richard left everything behind to follow a calling—and ended up building not just a successful company, but a life deeply aligned with his values. This powerful conversation dives into bilingual leadership, the courage to start over, and the mindset shifts required for authentic success.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a leader in transition, or someone seeking a life with more meaning—this episode is for you.

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

https://youtu.be/Q8Oh9kv-0Sk

https://youtu.be/k0sV0b7UsHU

https://youtu.be/9WBxUfoR7AI

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,

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

Empowerment Extend is a dynamic podcast hosted by Carinder, dedicated to amplifying voices, exploring diverse perspectives, and fostering conversations that inspire personal growth and community impact. The podcast serves as a platform to discuss topics ranging from leadership, inclusion, and mental health to innovation and advocacy. Through engaging interviews with thought leaders, change-makers, and passionate individuals, Empowerment Extend aims to motivate listeners to embrace their potential, overcome challenges, and create meaningful change in their lives and the world around them.

We’re so excited to introduce our new project: the Empowerment Extend Podcast, where we explore disability, inclusion, and empowerment for all. At Empowerment Extend, we believe that every voice deserves to be heard. Our mission is to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Together, Carinder & Sarah bring real, honest conversations about what true inclusion really means — in workplaces, communities, and everyday life. We share inspiring stories, practical tips, and powerful insights to help us build a more inclusive world. Whether you’re a disability advocate, an ally, or simply passionate about creating a society where everyone can thrive, this podcast is for you.

Join us as we explore the essential techniques for effective communication*. Discover how to express your ideas clearly, listen actively, and build meaningful connections. This episode is packed with *practical tips and insights to help you communicate with confidence and impact.

Key Takeaways:

The importance of active listening

Strategies for clear and concise expression

How to build rapport and engage your audience

Overcoming common communication barriers

https://youtu.be/UAhEuk3Fxhg

https://youtube.com/shorts/CkmNb-D7FPs

https://youtube.com/shorts/z85LPtAqd6U

https://youtube.com/shorts/JZfa_Psu_0Y

https://youtube.com/shorts/z_lBFR1y-_Q

https://youtube.com/shorts/G1dK07FR580

Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.

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

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