Discover the power of hard graft, process-driven thinking, and overcoming failure in entrepreneurship.

John Richardson – Serial Entrepreneur, Author, Consultant

Twitter: @johnrichardson

Website: johnrichardson.com (may be inactive)

In this episode, host Max sits down with John Richardson, a renowned entrepreneur who built Ireland’s largest sandwich shop empire by age 28, lost it all before turning 30, and then went on to found several seven-figure businesses. John shares his journey from early ventures in hospitality and retail to becoming a best-selling author and highly respected consultant for coffee shops and small businesses across the UK.

The conversation covers John’s philosophy on market selection, how to use content and expertise to build credibility, and why focusing on financial foundations is essential for entrepreneurs. John also discusses how his passion project in golf became a best-selling book and a film-in-progress, illustrating the importance of process, adaptability, and storytelling in both business and personal development.

Listeners will take away practical strategies for finding profitable niches, scaling expertise, and building resilient businesses that can adapt to fast-changing markets. John’s insights are grounded in real-world experience, offering both inspiration and actionable advice for anyone in business or considering the entrepreneurial path.

Note: This podcast is no longer active and was originally published before 2016. Links and contact details may be out of date, but the conversation still holds valuable insights today.

• John Richardson’s entrepreneurial path: from running 19 businesses across hospitality, retail, and online to building specialized expertise in coffee shops and golf (04:29)
• The critical importance of understanding financials and systems—why focusing on “the money” comes first (15:04)
• How to rebound from total business failure, and why early setbacks can drive long-term success (16:24)
• Process-driven consulting: developing and repeatedly refining business models and frameworks (16:58)
• Identifying profitable niches: why John chose the coffee shop industry and how he validated demand (19:45)
• Authority through content: writing books, public speaking, and leveraging storytelling to build a consulting brand (21:35)
• The difference between genuinely valuable expertise and superficial advice—plus John’s “hundred words for every one you speak” knowledge ethos (32:43)
• John's “Dream On” golf experiment: using research and systems to achieve ambitious goals, and how sporting challenges inform his business philosophy (37:33)
• Productivity and goal achievement: practical routines, time-blocking, and focusing energy where it truly matters (43:06)
• Rethinking “strengths and weaknesses”: why entrepreneurs must address weaknesses and not just double down on passions (64:53)
• Failure and setbacks are often the springboard for future innovation; treat every challenge as a learning opportunity.
• Build authority by combining practical know-how with storytelling—don’t just teach the theory, share real-world experiences.
• To identify a profitable niche, look for markets with demonstrated growth, ongoing demand, and customers willing to pay for substantial results.
• Dream On by John Richardson (Best-selling book about his golf quest)
• The Language of Leaders by Kevin Murray
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek (discussed critically)
• Work by Dan Kennedy (approach to selling information)
• Seve Ballesteros Short Game Video
• Evernote (tool for organization and productivity)

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