Meet Rick Slark

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rick Slark. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Rick , great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

I learned to take risks by giving myself a simple way to think it through. I’ll ask, will I regret not doing this in ten years? That question helps me step out of the moment and take a broader view of the situation. I also look at the extremes—what’s the worst that could happen, what’s the best, and what’s the likely in-between. Usually, the worst isn’t as bad as it feels at first, and the potential upside makes it worth considering. I also remind myself that other people have faced similar risks and made it work, so why not me? That approach has helped me move past fear and take action when it matters.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a fractional strategist and business advisor. I work with growing companies and communities to bring clarity, tackle challenges, and scale in a way that makes sense for them. What excites me most is seeing the moment a business owner or community leader connects the dots and gains real confidence about where they’re headed. It’s rewarding to know the work we do creates a ripple effect that strengthens teams, customers, and the broader community.

My brand is about being both strategic and practical. I don’t just hand over a plan. I work alongside leaders to make it real and workable for their situation.

Right now, I’m expanding the Academy with workshops and resources to help leaders navigate growth with less stress. I’m also creating more digital tools and content for those who want solid guidance but aren’t yet ready for one-on-one advisory services.

Ultimately, my goal is straightforward. Leave every business and community I work with stronger, clearer, and better prepared for the future.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have shaped my journey.

First, curiosity. I’ve always been interested in understanding how things work—business models, community dynamics, and leadership decisions. That curiosity keeps you learning and asking better questions.

Second, the ability to think strategically but act practically. It’s one thing to have a big idea, but the real impact comes from knowing how to make it work in the real world.

Third, resilience. Growth isn’t a straight line. There are setbacks, and you must stay steady and keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned.

For anyone early in their journey, I’d say nurture your curiosity by reading widely and staying close to people who think differently from you. Learn to pair strategy with action by taking on small projects where you can see the results. And build resilience by treating mistakes as lessons, not failures. If you can develop those habits early, they’ll serve you well for the long haul.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge I’m facing right now is scaling my impact without losing the personal touch that makes my work valuable. I work closely with growing companies and communities, and that one-on-one connection is what creates real results. But as demand increases, I have to find ways to serve more people while keeping the quality and depth intact.

To overcome this, I’m focusing on building out more structured resources through the Academy and creating digital tools that extend my reach without replacing the personal advisory work. I’m also being intentional about partnerships and collaborations so I can multiply my efforts instead of trying to do everything myself. It’s a balancing act, but it’s pushing me to think differently about how I deliver value.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://slarkconsultinggroup.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-slark-5b0bb245