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At just 27, Richard Blank took a leap that would shape the rest of his life — relocating to Costa Rica to train over 5,000 employees at one of San Jose’s largest call centers. That bold move sparked a journey filled with unexpected turns, cultural challenges, and remarkable growth.

Today, Richard is the CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC), a company he founded in 2008. With a background in communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona — and a language proficiency certificate from the University of Sevilla — Richard combines motivational leadership with tactical communication strategies to empower his team. Over the years, he’s personally trained more than 10,000 bilingual telemarketers.

Beyond the headset and call metrics, Richard brings a unique twist to company culture: gamification. CCC boasts the largest private collection of restored American pinball machines and Rock-Ola jukeboxes in Central America — a reflection of his belief that fun, connection, and shared experiences are key to building strong teams.

A passionate mentor and educator, Richard is also a keynote speaker and scholarship donor at his alma mater, Abington Senior High School, where he supports students pursuing world languages at the university level.

This episode is packed with insight on leadership, resilience, and how culture can transform performance.

You can learn more about Richard and his Costa Rican call center on their website: https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/costa-ricas-call-center-2/. While you’re there, check out the Gallery and images of the Arcade with some of Richard’s antique pinball machines and jukeboxes.

You can also connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaricascallcenter/

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