The owner. The crazy ideas man. And (occasionally) our Chief Distraction Officer. One of Ron’s “crazy ideas” was to build a company that treated staff like family; a company that had a reputation for honesty; a company that was known for providing high quality products and services. And so, in 1984, one year after his brother the late Norman Gottlieb founded Ricky Richards, Ron teamed up with Norman to begin building the Ricky Richards brand and legacy. More than 30 years later, Ron is still inspiring Ricky’s staff to “do the right thing” and make a difference in all our dealings with customers and suppliers.

1- What year did you start at Ricky Richards?

Since 1984

2- In words that potential customers, who know nothing about Ricky will understand, what is your role?

Constantly evolving from somewhere between “still don’t know” and “almost got it”. Chief Distraction Officer still has a ring to it.

3- What are your professional strengths in this role?

I don’t like constraints and the so called ‘normal’ way of doing things. We do it because others won’t do it.

4- Looking back on the year 2020, how has your role changed and how have you adapted to the ‘new normal’?

Letting go of more things as our management team become stronger. Finding where I can be of the most benefit to the company rather than doing things because I have done them for years. I don’t believe that there is a ‘new normal’ there is rather a ‘new way’. Adapting to less people in the office on a daily basis is challenging for a company like ours. We are very much in each other’s lives at work and with more remote work occurring that has disappeared a little.

5- What was one job that you did well in the last 12 months that you know made a big difference to your customer or your team?

Got really focussed on our sales and had more interaction with our customers. That’s not a job baby, that’s simply fun!

6- If you could be a superhero for a day, who would you be?

I reckon if I said Wonder Woman we could gauge how many people read these bios. Truth be known I reckon I was a closet bat because I always wanted a utility belt as a kid. If anybody is reading this, I never did get that utility belt – just saying.

7- Favourite sports team?

The mighty Sydney City Roosters in rugby league and the Carlton Blues in AFL. Go you good things!

8- What is one thing on your ‘bucket list’?

A bucket?

Jill has been with us since 2012, but has worked in the print industry for far longer, so she knows her stuff. She keeps up to date with print media industry trends, ensuring our customers are provided with the best possible media solutions for their printing needs with good quality products, great advice and outstanding service. She’s reliable, organised, dependable and good company!

1- What year did you start at Ricky Richards?

April 2012

2- In words that potential customers, who know nothing about Ricky will understand, what is your role?

My role as a Business Development Manager is to ensure that my customers receive the very best in customer service, technical knowledge, quality product offerings and are kept up to date with industry trends that will help them achieve business growth.

3- What are your professional strengths in this role?

Honesty, Integrity & Reliability

4- Looking back on the year 2020, how has your role changed and how have you adapted to the ‘new normal’?

Video calls, Zoom meetings & longer phone conversations were utilised to take over from the usual Face2Face contact with customers. This did not seem to have a huge impact on dealings with customers, as we were all still able to communicate over these platforms. Making appointments for Face2Face visits now is imperative for a constructive visit.

5- What was one job that you did well in the last 12 months that you know made a big difference to your customer or your team?

Organised consignment stock to be put in place and set up for a customer in a very timely manner, to avoid long freight delays due to the situation with the pandemic. The customer was very impressed with how fast we had this put in place for them so they could continue to provide their customers with exceptional service.

6- If you could be a superhero for a day, who would you be?

The Invisible Women …. Hahaha

7- Favourite sports team?

The Wallabies

8- What is one thing on your ‘bucket list’?

Travel around Australia in our old XW Fairmont Wagon 4x4

Darren brings 30 years of customer-focused furnishing experience to the team. He’s focused on external furnishing products. Loves hearing the relief in a customer’s voice, when they realise that even though they don’t know where to start, he already has the solution.

1- What year did you start at Ricky Richards?

Jan 2017

2- In words that potential customers, who know nothing about Ricky will understand, what is your role?

To offer a Textile Solution and make dealing with Ricky’s a great experience.

3- What are your professional strengths in this role?

Coming up with a solution to a customer’s problem, sometimes things are not perfect, but I always say to my team, let’s find a solution to offer.

4- Looking back on the year 2020, how has your role changed and how have you adapted to the ‘new normal’?

One of the noticeable changes has been technology, probably fast forwarded everyone, Zoom Meetings are the normal, especially in Melbourne, work from home flexibility has increased which saves time in traffic and more family time.

5- What was one job that you did well in the last 12 months that you know made a big difference to your customer or your team?

Keeping everyone positive and having fun in uncertain times.

6- If you could be a superhero for a day, who would you be?

7- Favourite sports team?

Carlton Football Club

8- What is one thing on your ‘bucket list’?

Re-visit New York, went in 2019 and just touched the surface, magic city.