Who I am
Richard "Ozzy" Osborne
My name is Richard Osborne, an energetic and fun loving Entrepreneur. I enjoy what I do, and like to share that enthusiasm with those who work alongside me. Like most Entrepreneurs I had a rocky start in life, have had some business failures, and make a lot of mistakes. Again, like most Entrepreneurs I have learnt from my past and those mistakes. I don’t know everything, but I approach life with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Add to that a passion to succeed, and I want to share that with those around me.
My two more public business successes are Quick Formations and UK Business Forums. Quick Formations was not my first step into the world of running my own business but after losing my first business in a deal that didn’t go as planned, doing a lot of freelance work and setting up an IT business, Quick Formations was then formed in 2002 and to date I still sit at the helm. It has won 13 business awards, revolutionised the industry in which it sits, and has been a great success story for me after previous failures.
UK Business Forums (UKBF) is another public success story after I purchased a slow online discussion forum from a web designer for £750. I then spent a few years promoting and growing these forums to be the largest and most active online business discussion forums in the UK. I then sold them to a media company in 2007 for a deal worth £250,000. Known as “Ozzy” on many discussion forums I still network online as much as I can, and find them a great medium to share knowledge and help other growing businesses.
In the time whilst growing UKBF and Quick Formations I also grew and sold Quick Telecom and Quick Credit Reports, these sales primarily aimed as stripping out the least profitable ventures to focus on my core activities. The money from these sales added to the UKBF sale has since enabled me to spread out to do more of what I enjoy, and that is helping new business ideas grow. I have had an interest and involvement in a number of other business ventures, such as a private number plate company, another online forum, and more interestingly CallTracks. Despite these other ventures though I still have my core business Quick Formations, and have started a couple more of my own which are Efiling and New Start Data.
I frequently meet with many people who want to run their business ideas past me, some of these coming via the local enterprise agencies. More often than not these people are looking for investment, and through various contacts I help them find the money they are looking for without giving up unnecessary equity in their business. Maybe this is why I may never be a multi-millionaire, I’m not ruthless enough, but then those who know me do know I’m an honest and ethical businessman who will do right by those I work with.
I also volunteer a lot of my time in a combination of charity or “free” work. I am a Northamptonshire Ambassador who helps advise on county development strategy for institutions such as the University of Northamptonshire, as well as playing a very active role for Inward Investment into the county. I am the Chair for the area board and volunteer business advisor for Young Enterprise. I am very active with EMDA for their inward investment program and in particular in relation to China Inward Investment, and have won an award for my involvement in their Business Champions program for volunteer support to University students in Nottingham.
Talking to business studies students at Nottingham University
Some would say I talk a lot, and for that I occasionally do a bit of public speaking. My key topics are business start-up, inspiring younger generations, overcoming personal challenges, and using technology in business. If you would like me to speak at one of your events by all means please get in touch.
My family is very important to me so I make a point of always ensuring that whenever possible I am home by 6pm every working day, and my weekends are family time also. When I do have my own time I make a choice between either enjoying the Northamptonshire country lanes on my R1 motorcycle (was recently stolen, read here), or more often than not now I’m getting on a bit I play golf.
Some comments that others have said about me.
- “I have known Richard for a good few years now and he is one of these guys that once met, you never forget! He is professional, has a wealth of knowledge in many different disciplines and is above all a genuine nice guy! Richard has a heart of gold and is an active member of the Young Enterprise Scheme as well as other volunteer groups. He is a shrewd businessman and always pays his invoices on time!” – Julia Doherty, Ethos Recruitment & Board Member of Young Enterprise
- “Knowing Richard personally, I am aware of the time and money he invested in getting his business set up: a reflection of his personal commitment, belief in what he set out to achieve and his determination to achieve it. Add to that – a personable entrepreneur and a guy who wants to help others to succeed by passing on the lessons he has learned.” – Ian Mason, Mason Bullock Solicitors
- “Richard is a pleasure is work alongside as a client and contact. His enthusiasm knows no bounds as he continually strives to offer superb client satisfaction levels and motivates those around him to new and innovative ways doing business. He is a very interesting public speaker who entertained and inspired everyone present at the launch of the IoD’s Young Directors Forum for the East Midlands region in 2009.” – Sarah Canning, Franklins Solicitors & Regional Secretary for IoD
- “A focused individual and good networker. Imaginative in his approach to business and an Award winner for his work. Good to do business with.” – Nick Clements, Area Director Royal Bank of Scotland
- “Richard is a trustworthy and moral businessman. Being involved in several different businesses, he likes to have detailed knowledge of the business he is in and likes to do things “right”” – Tony Byng, The Company Merchant
