Richard Parker is all about business, but also a very fun person to get to know. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few months ago and he had me in stitches for most of the day. Jeez, he’s a funny guy. What I like about him most is that he enjoys helping and inspiring others to live their dreams. For the last 18 years, he’s been able to do that through his company, Diomo Corporation. Find out why Richard loves what he does!

What’s Your main service/product?

The “How To Buy A Good Business At A Great Price” series which includes guides on numerous industry specific sectors.

What does your business do?

We create and publish comprehensive guides on buying businesses and provide ongoing consulting services.

Any interesting fact(s) you can share about your industry?

When you combine the entire umbrella industry of entrepreneurship between work at home businesses, franchises, start-ups, business opportunities, and buying existing businesses, it may very well be the largest business category in the world.

Most popular problem you help people solve?

Dealing with all of the challenges – personal, financial, concrete, abstract, and psychological – that one faces with the decision to leave their life as an employee, and become an employer.

What year did you kiss Corporate America goodbye and why do you hope to never go back?

1990. I am not “hoping” to not go back; I can tell you categorically that I will never go back. I have bought ten businesses in my life, some were dog, but most turned out to be incredibly rewarding, both financially and personally. But, even the worst ones, with their onslaught of problems and pressure, were infinitely better than anything I ever experienced working for someone else. I would rather own an average business than have a decent job any day, because I can make always make the average business great, but you can never make a decent job wonderful.
How do you stay motivated? What drives you?

I absolutely love what I do. I get to help people around the world change their lives for the better. Our products are now sold in over 80 countries. It is incredibly empowering. I am driven by making a difference in peoples’ lives and building Diomo everyday to be bigger and better. This is especially true with operating an online entity where the only thing you can predict is the unpredictability. To me, it is an endless and exhilarating challenge.

What’s a bold move you took that turned your business around?

Deciding to self-publish and market directly to the consumer via the Internet instead of through traditional big name publishers, wholesalers and retail channels.


What’s a unique talent that you have that might surprise us?

Sorry, can’t help you there. My kids would tell you it’s my ability to talk like Donald Duck, but regrettably, nothing more exciting than that. Or maybe it’s my ability to be reading five to ten different books at the same time and jump between all of them and yet still complete them at lightening speed.

It’s sadly time for your last meal on earth … what would it be?

Easy – A New York Strip from Morton’s; fresh, cold raspberries; a 3 Musketeers bar; and a Segafredo brand double espresso.

Have you used Social Networking to gain new contacts/business? If so, what have been any results?

Actually the results have been excellent. I have found that commenting on blogs and posting some educational videos has led to quite a few orders for us.
If you could do it all over again, what is the biggest mistake you’d avoid next time around?

Not relocating early in my career to Hong Kong when it was exploding in the 1980s. I had an opportunity to move there and didn’t. It would have been a great experience and probably cut years off the time it has taken me to reach my present-day financial situation.

Most exciting moment when you got your time to shine?

Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year nominee and being the keynote speaker at a major industry conference this year.

Reach out to Richard here! www.diomo.com