From £0 to £4 Billion: How Richard Harpin Built & Sold HomeServe

In this episode, Richard Harpin discusses his remarkable journey as the founder of HomeServe, a multi-billion-pound international business. He reflects on his early entrepreneurial experiences, starting at the age of six, and how those formative years shaped his understanding of business dynamics. Harpin believes that success in business is largely attributed to three core values: courage, persistence, and integrity. Courage is necessary to pursue ideas despite adversity; persistence is crucial in overcoming challenges; and integrity involves facing hard truths and addressing issues head-on.

He also highlights the need for calculated risk-taking, stating that during his early ventures, he had little to no financial backing or connections. Harpin’s philosophy includes learning from failures and continuously looking for ways to improve and adapt business models. He embraces mentorship, sharing his experiences with other entrepreneurs, particularly in helping scale mid-sized businesses into larger companies. Harpin stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance while remaining committed to one's passions.

Throughout the episode, Harpin shares personal insights on his fitness journey, his perspective on investments, and how to recognize the right time for business growth and capital acquisition. He concludes by emphasizing the need for collaboration and learning from peers in business, as well as the importance of leaving a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial community.