Richard Perry, an influencer, conscious entrepreneur, and former lyricist, works with new entrepreneurs and emerging leaders who want to make a difference in the world. His motto is, “Lead by Example Through Excellence.”
From personal struggles to a personal journey of change, and a burning desire for making a difference in the world, Richard will inspire you to realize we all have a point in our lives when we must take that next step. Our interview sheds light on his stepping stones to becoming #1 Best Selling Author, and helping others take massive action to break through barriers, turning dreams and desires into reality!
EB: As an empowerment coach how do you assist your clients to reach their highest potential?
RP: Each person is different. Most of the people who come to me want to step up and become a leader but they just don’t know how or they have some kind of limiting belief that is blocking them from truly realizing their full potential. Before working privately with a person I make sure to take the time to listen and get to know him/her as an individual. Together we identify what is working and what isn’t, along with internal/external blocks. From there we can move forward and start to reprogram the mind.
EB: What inspired you to become an empowerment coach?
RP: I’ve always wanted to help people. In a former life, I served as a children’s therapist working in early childhood development and focusing on kids on the Autism spectrum. The work was rewarding but I knew that it wasn’t my calling in life. After a few years of personal struggles and a series of toxic relationships I entered a dark time in my life and knew that I needed a change in my own life. I began a personal journey of self-realization and growth and enrolled in a few trainings for myself. It was then that I realized that I had a burning desire to step out into the world and truly make my mark.
EB: Your business is Bankroll Your Mind; how did this start and how have you seen it grow?
RP: “Bankroll Your Mind” is a brand of programs, seminars, and will be a book series too. We just debuted our first book, which became an International #1 Best Seller in multiple categories. Bankroll Your Mind is co-founded by Larunce Pipkin. We had been friends for a few years and we are both co-authors in The Change book series. In the fall of 2015 Larunce came to Pennsylvania for a few seminars that I organized and it was then that we realized we had something special. It was our first time presenting together but we worked as though we had been doing it for years. That was the start of everything. In the beginning it was moving slowly because I was in Pennsylvania and Larunce was in Texas and even with technology it had it’s limitations because we refused to be just another “internet coaching team.” Our mission and purpose is much bigger. Now that I’m living in Texas we’re confident that we can take our brand where we want it. We’ve enlisted the help of a powerhouse marketing and publicity team and we’re excited for what the future holds. Since becoming a #1 Best Seller, we’ve attracted a flood of attention for interviews and speaking opportunities.
EB: Who has been the most influence in your life and your success? Why?
RP: I don’t know if I can lock down one single person for this. I’ve been blessed to have a supportive family and truly amazing mentors throughout my life that all contributed in significant and unique ways. However, I think it all started as a kid and being active in Boy Scouts and martial arts studies. Both helped shape the person that I am today by providing valuable leadership skills and showing me what it means to serve others.
EB: As a high achiever, what struggles have you had to overcome and how did you keep moving yourself forward?
RP: I grew up in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania, which was given the unattractive title of “Unhappiest Region in America” in 2014 by researchers from the University of British Columbia and Harvard University. Needless to say, I grew up around a lot of closed-minded and negative people who lacked ambition and frequently torched the dreams of those who thought differently. In order to get to where I am, I had to separate myself from old social circles and toxic relationships that were holding me back from fully growing into the person I wanted to become. I also had to overcome various limiting beliefs and self doubts that had been adopted throughout life.
There’s no big secret to “how” I did it. No magic pill. I did it by doing the work every single day. I chose to be the number one person in my life and do the things that made me better each day and made it a daily practice. Every day was mindset training and reprogramming. I made it a fun game and I reminded myself each day that I was growing into the person that I was meant to be.
EB: One of the cornerstones of success is being authentic. What does this mean to you and how do you stay true to your own vision and sense of authenticity?
RP: For me, being authentic is following my path of purpose regardless of what others may say. That’s not to say that I don’t take advice or suggestions because I certainly do. I’m not perfect and I’m the first to ask for help and outside perspective. However, I’m not going to hold back or change course just to be a people-pleaser. Also, being authentic means allowing others to see the “real” me. There are no masks, stage acts, or public faces. Of course there could be different versions, for instance the “Rich Perry” you hire for a speaking engagement will certainly behave differently than the guy you meet at a concert or sitting on the beach enjoying a piña colada but I’m still the same person. In fact, one of the things audiences seem to enjoy most is the fact that I’m not afraid to let the “real Rich” out, lacing presentations with personality and humor to build rapport and personal connections with attendees. That’s being authentic. Simply being the person that you are. I realize that I’m not for everyone and that’s okay with me. The people who like me tend to love me and the people who don’t really can’t stand me.
EB: How do you celebrate your successes?
RP: My chapter in The Change is called “Transform Pebbles Into Mountains” and talks about taking daily victories, no matter how small, and transforming them into monumental successes. Despite what we see in our social media newsfeed, every day isn’t going to be a gold medal day where we’re standing atop the podium with national anthem playing. It just doesn’t happen that way. However, we can certainly collect victories (big and small) each day and allow them to build into bigger and bigger successes. Follow me on social media because I love posting fun videos sharing personal triumphs as I encourage others to transform pebbles into mountains in their own life.
EB: What would you say is important to know for people who have a passion and the drive to succeed?
RP: When you know your path of purpose in life and you feel it in your heart of hearts then you must do it. Develop your mindset for success and go for it. As we say with our program: gain complete clarity with what you want, achieve laser focus on your one true goal, and act with intention and precision to create meaningful results through mastery. Then you can ultimately take total control of your business and life.
EB: What do you wish you knew “then,” that you know now?
RP: “Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth”
This would have saved me a lot of heartache, second-guessing, sleepless nights, and negative self-talk.
EB: In hindsight, what lessons have you learned that have caused you to gain clarity and have breakthroughs in turning your dreams and visions into reality?
RP: Every day is a learning lesson and chance to gain greater insight of self, business, and life. The fact that I’m still here each day after many friends and authority figures told me to give up, that I wouldn’t be taken seriously, or that I was wasting my time with a silly dream is something I’m extremely proud of. One huge breakthrough came when I stopped listening to the “advice” of others and started following my own heart. Once I stopped listening to the naysaying of others and started to lead by example then I started to really gain momentum.
EB: Please share any words of wisdom that may be of value to those who want to Bankroll their mind as a high achiever.
RP: Bankroll Your Mind is based on 3 key pillars – Clarity, Focus, and Mastery. Determine exactly what you want (be specific!), design a plan to get it, and do it every single day. In other words, practice, practice, and more practice. In our book, we even make light of the fact that we say the word practice with great abundance and frequency from beginning to ending. Mastery is practice. But first you need clarity and focus to make sure you’re practicing the right things. Otherwise, at best you’ll be just spinning your wheels but more than likely you’ll become a master of failure, which is not something we suggest.
EB: What is your favorite quote?
RP: I have two favorites =)
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right” – Henry Ford
“Do or do not, there is no try” – Yoda
Rich Perry is a bestselling author, conscious entrepreneur, and influencer. He is the co-author of International #1 Best Selling book Bankroll Your Mind and was invited by Jim Britt and Jim Lutes to be a co-author in The Change, the fastest growing personal development book series in the world. His gift is in his ability to relate to each person and take the client on a hero’s journey by integrating both conscious and unconscious performance to create a lasting and powerful change. Rich works with business leaders who want to make a difference in the world. His motto is “Lead By Example Through Excellence”
