Ever wonder what happens when a Marine's discipline meets entrepreneurial fire...and then crashes into economic reality? Richard Walsh's story is the ultimate entrepreneurial rollercoaster.
From swinging a pickaxe for $5 an hour to building an internationally recognized custom water feature and steel sculpture business, Richard's journey took an unexpected turn when the 2008 economic crash wiped out half a million dollars in a single day. The devastating loss of his business and home forced him to confront a profound truth about success: his six children didn't care about his business achievements—they just wanted their father present.
This wake-up call transformed Richard's approach to entrepreneurship. "More is caught than taught with kids," he explains, highlighting how our actions shape our children's futures more than our words ever could. His rebuilding process centered on a revolutionary idea: creating a business that served his life rather than consuming it.
Now as CEO of Sharpen the Spear Coaching and a bestselling author, Richard helps business owners recover profits they didn't know they were missing through strategic planning and proper exit strategies. His approach challenges entrepreneurs to ask themselves two critical questions before launching any venture: "How long do I want to do this?" and "How much do I want when I exit?" This simple framework forces business owners to reverse-engineer success rather than blindly pursuing growth.
Richard's candid reflections on ego management might be his most valuable offering. "Put your ego in a box and lock it away," he advises, recounting how pride prevented him from heeding wealthy mentors' advice and led to costly financial decisions. His parting wisdom? "Do hard things." Business only moves forward or backward—there is no maintaining—and pushing beyond your comfort zone is the only path to exponential growth.
Connect with Richard and explore his coaching programs at SharpenTheSpearCoaching.com to discover how you can create profit, freedom, and impact in your business journey.
