FOUNDER #21. Mega Entrepreneurs £4 Billion Exit:  "Bailiffs Came For Everything" - Richard Harpin

FOUNDER #21. Mega Entrepreneurs £4 Billion Exit: "Bailiffs Came For Everything" - Richard Harpin

Author: Dodge Woodall April 8, 2026 Duration: 1:15:57

If you're a Founder and would like to come on the podcast, then you can apply on the link here 👉 https://dodgewoodall.com/guest


Richard Harpin reflects on the journey of building HomeServe from a struggling startup into a multi-billion-pound business - a story shaped by risk, resilience, and relentless belief. From nearly going bust in the early days to transforming a simple plumbing emergency service into a global home assistance giant, he opens up about the pressure, pivots, and hard-won decisions that defined the ride.

He shares the reality behind scaling a company over three decades - making painful mistakes, giving away equity to survive, almost running out of money more than once, and learning when to back people better than himself. From cracking the UK market to navigating the brutal lessons of France, Australia, and America, Richard reveals what it really takes to build internationally, lead through uncertainty, and keep growing without losing focus.


But this isn’t just a story about money. He speaks honestly about the sacrifices behind success - the family time missed, the emotional weight of leadership, and the lessons that only come from building something the hard way. He also reflects on life after the HomeServe sale, why wealth never became the end goal, and why he’s now focused on backing the next generation of entrepreneurs.

This is an insightful look at what it really takes to build at scale, survive the setbacks, and create lasting success.


This is the eventful life of Richard Harpin.


Find out more about Richard Harpin here: https://www.richardharpin.com/


All Enquiries - Hello@DodgeWoodall.com

Website: DodgeWoodall.com


YouTube: Dodge Woodall

Facebook: Dodge Woodall

Instagram: @Dodge.Woodall

TikTok: @DodgeWoodall

LinkedIn: Dodge Woodall


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Dodge Woodall hosts Eventful Lives, a podcast built on the simple premise that everyone has a remarkable story if you know where to look. Since launching in 2020, he’s sat down with over 350 guests from an incredibly wide spectrum of life, creating a unique blend of conversation that spans business, culture, and true crime. One episode might feature a music legend recounting life on the road, while the next delves into the mindset of a former SAS soldier or the gritty realities shared by someone from the criminal underworld. This variety is the show's signature, offering listeners unexpected connections between the worlds of elite entrepreneurship, high-stakes sports, health, and nightlife promotion. The conversations are less about formal interviews and more about uncovering the pivotal moments-the events, decisions, and turning points-that truly define these fascinating lives. With a global audience tuning in from 187 countries, this podcast has found a dedicated following by consistently delivering raw, human stories you won't hear anywhere else. It’s a place where the drive to build a business empire and the lessons from a life on the edge are given equal weight, all through Dodge’s engaging and curious perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Dodge Woodall Network
Podcast Episodes
FOUNDER #26. Beware of Energy Vampires in Business - Dodge Woodall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:42
What are the things founders get wrong when they're building without outside investment? Founder Dodge Woodall answers your questions on protecting your time and energy, bootstrapping, and why getting people in a room is…
FOUNDER #24. Events & Festivals Are The Future - Dodge Woodall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:08
What kind of founder remortgages their house and signs a ten-year personal guarantee to keep a live event alive? Founder Dodge Woodall gets asked about building a million-ticket festival, why live experiences are beating…
FOUNDER #22. Why Most Businesses Fail - Dodge Woodall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:24
What does it really take to build something from nothing?Founder Dodge Woodall gets asked about entrepreneurship, naivety, curiosity and why that beats any business plan.What it looks and feels like to start something fr…
#337. London Hitman & Enforcer - Mark ‘The Beast’ Epstein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:29
Mark Epstein opens up about a life shaped by chaos, violence, and survival, growing up in the care system and navigating a childhood filled with instability, neglect, and trauma. From spending years in foster homes and b…
#336. Nigel Benn's Manager & Boxings Underworld - Peter Defrietas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:26:01
Peter DeFreitas opens up on a life forged in violence, loyalty, and survival - from the streets of East London to the heart of world championship boxing. Before the spotlight, his reputation was built the hard way, navig…