Meet Eric Richards | Doctor, Chief Mission Strategist, Wellness Enthusiast, Quality of Life Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Richards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My first business was selling candy in high school (a far cry from the health and wellness passion that brought me to where I am today)… but then it was detailing cars for successful members of my hometown, followed by t-shirt printing in college, a sales career in financial instruments, followed by chiropractic. I built up 7 offices of mixed success, and 4 crossfit gyms of the same. I rarely pulled a W2 from anyone but myself in my life, so being in control of my destiny was part of my DNA.

But in 2007 when I entered the real estate development world, it ended as just about everybody did in that arena by 2008. Project gone, and money gone. Re-entering the development world was a passion for both Woodstock GA, as well as for New Urbanism. Being an owner of the ancillary businesses that go so well with that passion is a natural progression. Hence opening Collaborate Coworking was almost necessary, as any truly vibrant New Urbanist center that is truly bringing the opportunity for those who take up local residence, to work locally as well. Why drive if you can walk.

So, I guess the long winded answer to the thought process in starting Collaborate, is that there has to be a full solution in order to bring the best life experience. So the risk of opening a business is sometimes insignificant to the overall necessity. And this is one of those cases.

What should our readers know about your business?
HealthSprout Chiropractic in Woodstock became one of the largest wellness clinics in Cherokee County. For years I was seeing 800+ patients a week. I am proud of this because the lives touched for positive growth were significant. I believe we are created, and I am so grateful that we were able to share the miracle of the human body with so many people over those years.

Success really comes down to commitment. Being committed to the mission and vision of a business that has created value for the public, vs. myself is the key. Never easy, I think the success that business owners come by is often easier than they expect, because successful entrepreneurs are willing to go through incredible pain to grow their vision. But it is never easy.

The most valuable lesson learned was during a time when I had 5 offices, and I was being audited by the IRS, and 3 offices were underperforming, and the world seemed to be crumbling around us. I think I was so desperate for more patients to come to our offices that I was nearly begging people to commit to the careplans we were offering. Meanwhile my first real estate development started collapsing (2008). But I came to a point with God, where I had my eyes opened to the idea of truly letting go. Desparation disappeared, and was replaced by pure leadership. I saw my personal office in Woodstock grow from 400 patient visits per week to 800, and I never again felt fearful for what tomorrow might bring.

This lesson has allowed me to now step into real estate development, with Market District Crabapple, Adair Park Woodstock, and nearly a dozen others, with confidence and no fear.

My personal “brand” is to embody a quality of life vision and to lead people to grasp that as part of their mission. If you don’t like what you do, stop it as soon as possible. At Collaborate Coworking, I lead the Founders Club once a month. A workshop where we focus on taking action steps to improve business, and career focus, by bringing them in line with life focus and goals. I love this part of my life, and love the opportunity to empower people to align their work mission with their life mission.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, this is so loaded for a guy who stakes so much value across the top end. We would hit up an Amphitheater concert in downtown Woodstock with some seafood at Roberto’s Deluxe to open up the night. And we would probably hang out at the green behind Reformation brewery before the night was out. We would do a super high end meal at Aberdeen Steakhouse in Crabapple, and hit up Hyde Brewery for a beer before heading home.

An Atlanta United Game has to be in the cards, and though I don’t love the team the way I did back in 2018, 2019… 2020 even, I am always hopeful. Always.

We would head up to North GA to hit some hikes on the AT, and likely have an overnight primitive campout in a hammock and depending on weather maybe jump in a river. We are blessed with the AT in our back yard… must use it.

I would definitely get a night out in Alpharetta, that town has come along incredibly in the last five plus years. I am always amazed at the market, and the opportunities for food and drink. Just an incredible job at bringing all the right elements together.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was 20 years old, working with Prudential Preferred in Amherst NY, outside of Buffalo. Thomas Topper became my mentor (this was 1992). He taught me how to take pressure situations, meetings and phone calls in stride. To be relaxed and authentic in all situations. I went to Tuscany this past May with Tom and his wife, with my wife. It was a great celebration, but it helps to accentuate how important this relationship has been in my life when we are still connecting 30 years later.

Website: www.collaboratewoodstock.com. www,adairparkwoodstock.com, www.healthsprout.com