Richard Gould shares his journey from high school dropout to founder of a thriving national painting franchise with over 25 locations. In this candid conversation, Richard opens up about his early beginnings, the power of mentorship, and how a simple painting gig turned into a lifelong passion and scalable business. He discusses the critical importance of financial literacy, what it really takes to grow a franchise, and how he helps painters evolve into business owners. Richard also dives into the psychological and practical challenges of coaching, leadership, failure, and personal growth—and why the fantasy of success often overshadows the reality of consistent hard work.

Key Takeaways:

You don’t need formal education to build an empire: Richard’s story proves success can come from grit, mentorship, and smart decision-making.

Simplicity is a superpower. Complexity kills momentum: Richard teaches his clients to keep their business models and decisions as simple as possible.

Financial mismanagement is the fastest way to fail: Most business owners struggle because they don’t truly understand cash flow, expenses, and profit margins.

Coaching only works when clients want to change: Richard shares that true growth begins with a willingness to fail, learn, and take responsibility.

Failure is the best teacher: The most transformational moments for his clients—and himself—have come from setbacks and mistakes.

Franchise growth demands mindset evolution: Each new level of business requires letting go of control and stepping into new leadership roles.

Bad partnerships cost more than money: Richard learned the hard way why contracts matter and why trusting your gut can save your sanity.

Your business is only as strong as your financial team: Having the right advisors who offer unbiased advice can make or break a company’s growth.

Timeline Summary:

0:00 – Richard’s background and how he got started in painting

2:00 – The role mentorship played in his growth

5:00 – Why financial literacy is non-negotiable

8:00 – Social media illusions and fake success

10:00 – Coaching clients who resist change

13:00 – Why failure is the biggest catalyst for growth

17:00 – Internal transformation and confidence

20:00 – Franchise scaling mindset and leadership

24:00 – Painting skill vs. business acumen

27:00 – Industry comparisons and missed opportunities

33:00 – Richard’s biggest business mistake and lessons learned

37:00 – Final advice for entrepreneurs

Links & Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-gould-b838b157/