EP 2: Dr Glen Richards

Welcome to episode 2 of World Class Voices, season 1: The Australian Icons. This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Glen Richards, a renowned entrepreneur and investor, well known for his role on Shark Tank Australia. From his humble beginnings growing up in Western Queensland during the 60s to scaling Greencross and other ventures into market leaders, Glen's story is nothing short of extraordinary.

In this episode, Glen reflects on his journey and shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including how he acquired his first business in Townsville and became an expert in business roll-ups. We explore his thoughts on whether he’d buy or start a business if he had to start over from scratch and we discuss the unique skills required to transition from a startup founder to a scaling executive.

Glen also shares his candid perspective on Australian universities in 2024 and whether they remain relevant for today’s market. We dive into some of the bad business advice circulating online and how to separate good recommendations from bad. He offers his take on what matters more in business: having a great product or mastering its distribution to the market.

We also discuss the importance of networking and whether success is truly about who you know or what you know. Glen weighs in on the AI revolution, shedding light on its practical implications for the business world. On a more personal note, he reveals the habits and rituals that have helped him balance an ambitious career with family life.

This conversation is packed with invaluable lessons, practical advice, and inspiration for seasoned or aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals alike.

Glen Richards and Sam Hope