“I have been fortunate to have been connected with Richard both personally and professionally for a number of years.
Richard is a clear-thinking entrepreneur who possesses tremendous people skills which means he can add value to almost any endeavour. He is a man of real integrity that I would have the utmost trust in. “
Murray Thom
Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Author & Producer
“Richard is a class act. Richard did a great job for Kea & I would recommend him most highly. He has a great “get on with it’ attitude, is extremely efficient, well-liked by staff / clients & happy easy style…
I would love to work with him again.”
Craig Donaldson
ex-CEO, Kea Global
“New Zealand Mint contracted Richard to assist us with an analysis of our ecommerce web platform from the perspective of the customer. The scope was to sense check our current performance, and to offer recommendations on areas where improvements could be made. Richard provided a comprehensive report at the conclusion of his assignment, and followed through with a review meeting.
As a direct result of the work, NZM has since changed email marketing platform to enable us to access functionality we were unable to previously to improve our customer experience, our ability to measure customer movement, and ultimately to improve our sales.
Richard provided a fast, accurate diagnosis for us, and helped us to establish where the most gains could be made in our web business.”
Brent Hindman & Zoe Leech
Head of Sales & Marketing & Senior Marketing Co-Ordinator, NZ Mint
“Both Richard and Geoff’s experience brought so much structure to our projects and truly elevated our business proposition. We have got so much value out of using this service and are very lucky to have had them in our corner.”
Esther Cronin & Dom Bowden
Wellbeings
“I cannot recommend Richard highly enough. Richard has kept me honest when it comes to looking after my own wellbeing, and not only that has been invaluable when it comes to having a sounding board as to where to head next when it comes to our operational and business needs.
Thank you for everything you have taught me over the hardest few months of my career.”
Kirsty Lloyd
GM, Haka Accommodation Group
“Working with Richard and the Co-Pilot team has had a hugely positive, transformative effect on my business and wellbeing. Their insightful advice provides the cut-through required when you are often too busy to look yourself. Richard’s experience in all aspects of business has been invaluable. Thanks to all, keen to keep flying with you.”
Rocky Haddon
Owner, Clear Site Demolition
“Richard empathetically guided me with self-management, coping tools and a forward plan for our business. Richard is a patient listener, knowledgeable and very thorough and quick with follow-up and action notes. Working with Richard was enjoyable and very beneficial to me personally and for our business at a time of extreme stress.”
Jeremy Shanahan
Owner, YOU Travel & Island Holidays
“Richard helped me with contingency planning during the Covid lockdown. He has a proven track record, he really listens and understands and then gives you practical, relevant advice that works. Can’t recommend him highly enough.”
Dr Sam Dunn
Owner/Medical Director, Palm Clinic
“Richard was a pleasure to work with & definitely inspired me to instigate a number of actions that made absolute sense in order to help progress my business. He is a great listener & so able to break down what is being communicated into actionable options. Thanks.”
Bruce Hopkins
Founder/Owner, Action Actors
“Richard assisted us through a very tough time when COVID-19 hit. He really took the time to consider all parties involved and was extremely empathetic. His advice and guidance to re-focus to allow us to make informed bigger strategic decisions alongside documenting both a short and long term plan was very valuable. We have continued to work with Richard and will hopefully do so in the future. He is excellent and I would 100% encourage you to work with him.”
Mark Quinn
Owner, Auckland Physiotherapy & The Collective
“Rich is blessed with the rare combination of a big picture thinker who has the ability to execute. Rich is great to work with, he has a real tenacity for finding and pursuing opportunities.
Action orientated, he identified and serviced a niche and with focus, hard work and loyalty he built GrownUps to be a targeted platform in the publishing space.
Rich is a smart strategic operator and someone I will continue to work with and can easily recommend.”
Olivia Worthington
Senior Marketing Strategist
“Richard was an amazing mentor to me and a huge help! With business strategy and mental health advice also. Through tough times he guided me with techniques and help to become a better business owner and better family time. Highly recommend Richard to anyone, especially business owners!”
Jason Goodson
Founder/Owner, Backyard Roadies Travel company
“I was introduced to Richard by Wendy from ATEED and was impressed immediately with his genuine interest in my world and empathy for what I was facing as Lockdown started and NZ faced a headwind in the economy.
As a financial adviser, I had multitudes coming for me to help but who could I get in my corner to help me steer through turbulent waters? We started on a process to assist with Finance & Cashflow Management; Business Continuity Planning; HR, Employment Relations & Legal; Health & Wellbeing; Marketing Strategy and Digital Enablement Strategy.
Richard quickly became a trusted ally and wise sage working rapidly through key areas, highlighting valuable changes and helping make them happen. I am very fortunate to have been introduced.
If you’re looking for a business coach, he’s the one you need.”
“I’ve found working with Richard to be extremely beneficial both from a business and personal perspective.
He’s very knowledgeable about business which is important , but also takes a holistic view as well with the work/life balance which is also a crucial component to the overall success of the business.
I’m writing this during the Corona Virus disaster which for me with a tourism venture, has been devastating. Richard was the first to reach out with personal support but also followed up with an action plan, which now has become extremely important to get me out the other side.
Richard also hooked me up with some great contacts within his network. They have now become even more invaluable moving forward through the current crisis. I can see a glimmer of light at the other end of the tunnel and am extremely grateful for Richard’s help and persistence.“
Nick White
Owner, Luxury Trail Company & Tiger Hill Lodge, Otago
“I’ve known Richard since May 2019 and in October 2019 we started working together.
If I had to use two words to describe him, they would be: genuine and passionate.
What makes Richard rise above other business coaches that I have come across in the past is not only how knowledgeable he is in business strategies (as he has previously ran successful businesses in the past himself) but also his approach and ability to dissect a complex problem into simplified and manageable bits. He can give you a fresh new customer orientated perspective on how to structure a better approach to your challenge – which, in my opinion, is invaluable.
What I also found extremely useful is that he not only has the ability to guide you through any challenge strategically, but he is fantastic in giving extra support mentally and emotionally. He shares his wealth of life experiences with you, as being a business owner in this day and age can be a grueling and lonely journey.
With Richard’s help and his extensive network of contacts, we were able to move our e-commerce site to a more customer-focused platform to allow us to develop and work on a robust marketing strategy plan to expand and grow our niche. I look forward to continuing to work with him to take our business to the next level.”
Chris Leung
Owner, EastMED Pharmacy & CPAP/Sleep Apnoea
“Working with Richard has been transformational. I have become more efficient, confident and assertive resulting in a steady 25.8% increase in profit on last year.
He’s the type of coach who is not afraid to muck in, helping out where needed as well as giving thoughtful and relevant advice. The network and contacts that Richard has is extensive and fruitful. He knows a lot of people and they trust him. His referrals have resulted in new and large clientele – a big contributor to the bottom line. I’ve really enjoyed working with Richard and look forward to our sessions, and even though our project is coming to an end, I will be working with him again in the future.
Above all of this, he’s just a great guy. If you are looking at taking your business to the next level, Richard won’t disappoint.”
Kelly B
Owner, iCandy & iServe Private Investigator & Process Server
“Richard was referred to me as a business coach/mentor and I have found his advice extremely useful.
He has helped me to clarify my thoughts and bring focus to the priorities I need to action that in turn have enabled me to put into place strategies and tactics to really make the progress I want to make in my business.”
Wendy Hampton
Principal Lawyer, Takapuna
"Working with Richard was both a challenge and a great pleasure. Richard cut to the chase immediately and help me clarify my service offering, my brand, my niche and my ideal clients. This gave me the confidence I needed to approach potential clients who have since become clients. His ongoing support and advice throughout my business development journey has been the push I needed. I would recommend Richard to anyone wanting the same."
Helen Zink
Positive Growth Consulting
"Richard had been working with me prior to Covid 19 to assist in pain points in my business. Suddenly we were walking through whole different minefield. His support and advice has been invaluable."
Leanne Freeman
Owner, Sign FX
“I did 3 months of Coaching with Richard during a time where I was going through a lot of change in my business and really needed support, advice and guidance on the new direction that I had chosen. Richard helped by providing a lot more structure in the overall strategic planning and gave some valuable insights on some of the ideas that I had. I would recommend working with Richard. He is a great listener who really takes the time to understand what you are trying to accomplish.”
Jason
Owner, FRANK Stationery
“Richard’s professional and personable approach to working with our Startup, The Career Development Company, meant I could readily understand his recommendations and translate them into actions for growing our business.”
Dr Val O’Reilly
Executive Director, The Career Development Company
“Richard was very helpful, offering practical business advice that helped to get our marketing plan working effectively.”
Emma Hirst
Owner, The Hand Therapy Group
“Richard, was straightforward to work with. He provided both a comprehensive and a tailored checklist on actions to be addressed. Followup was timely and useful.”
Sonya Oyston
Owner, Main Course CookZone
“Personally, I am glad I reached out to you for advice. Your response is always prompt. With our project where you provided strong analysis and advice on our potential start up idea… I especially appreciate you taking time to listen and understand why we are excited about our idea, your honesty in sharing your knowledge and opinion (what worked and what may not..) and the thoughtfulness which was evident in the flow of contents in the document.
Hope to have the opportunity to work with you again!”