Olly Richards is an entrepreneur, publisher, and language specialist from the United Kingdom whose work has transformed the way people around the world approach learning languages and building online businesses. As the founder of a leading language-learning website that reaches millions of readers annually, Olly has built an influential global community of learners eager to connect with new cultures through language.
Olly’s journey began not in a boardroom, but in the classroom. A passionate language learner himself, he spent years studying and teaching languages across the world before realizing that the traditional methods weren’t meeting the needs of most learners. Drawing on his own experiences, he began writing and publishing materials that made language learning fun, story-based, and practical. This approach led to the creation of over 20 books with the renowned publisher Teach Yourself, as well as dozens more titles through his own imprint, Olly Richards Publishing. His best-selling Short Stories series has helped countless students improve their skills naturally through engaging, real-world storytelling.
Creator Smarts
Beyond his success as an author and teacher, Olly has become a mentor and thought leader in the online business world. Through Creator Smarts, he runs mastermind groups, virtual summits, and live conferences where he helps creators and educators build sustainable, scalable digital businesses. His insights into positioning, marketing, and business growth come from years of hands-on experience turning his own ideas into thriving ventures.
In our conversation, Olly shares how he made the leap from teaching languages to building a multifaceted company — and the lessons he’s learned along the way about entrepreneurship, scaling, and creative freedom. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or a business owner looking to grow your brand, Olly’s story is full of inspiration, practical wisdom, and a reminder that with vision, curiosity, and perseverance, you can build something that truly makes a global impact.
Check out this podcast with Jenny Dooley on running a 500-person ELT publishing company
