Rich Abandon Ship

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He isn't a "nice guy". There is a reason he has virtually no mates anymore, he screwed some of them over so badly. He also isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, which is why he thinks begging on IG stories for a job is a prudent career move.
 
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Yes, I work in the industry he claims to be some sort of expert in. He, and his wife, are the quintessential examples of the influencer generation. You're not "working" with a brand if they're giving you a free bathroom in return for an Ad. That's a tax-deductible promotion for them, not an admission of a creative partnership or employment. I'd be shocked if either of them could work to a brief or pitch to a client about anything other than their own cliche'd aesthetics. Working in the creative field means putting aside your own ego and helping a client fulfill a vision you both have together. Not nipping into their studio space with a sharpie and writing "good vibes" and "we don't deserve dogs" on the wall with illustrations which were last on trend in 2012.

I could spend hours ripping apart all of his "experience" in the industry but the main issues with his begging for work are what's already been outlined. Someone who has any form of actual agency experience would have built up a portfolio of work that can be shown to potential clients. This would be demonstratable work and outcomes which benefit the brand, right through to completed projects. Show the work, name the clients, demonstate where you have added value to their brand.

The irony is I have helped to art direct campaigns for worldwide brands and I'd not have the arrogance to act like I was some form of svengali who knew it all. Anything that is remotely important in this sphere is a hugely collaborative project and they'd not let someone like Richard near it with his current level of experience. I've literally employed all the professions he claims to be able to work in; Stylists / photographers / brand developers / illustrators / designers / interior architects and art directors. These are all different jobs where folk spend YEARS working hard to get work in the industry, not something you slap on your instagram bio in an afternoon because you've ripped off some artists from pinterest.

I don't know Richard well and I have no idea if he's a "nice guy" or not so this is no attack on his personality but I can comment on what I know. His startling idea of his own self-worth and abilities would be impressive if it wasn't so misplaced. I don't have an issue with the Instagram / TikTok grift - it's not aimed at me and I don't need to see it. I take issue when he paints himself to be an expert in a field where my colleagues and I have spent years working on our craft and constantly upgrading our skill sets.

There's a term in the industry - "fake it 'til you make it" which I think he's been running with for the last decade and a bit. Unfortunately, that only works for so long before you actually need to do the work.

My advice (and, unlike Richard, I do get paid to give this on occasion) would be; Work out what you're good at, what you want to do and work out how you can get clients to pay you to do that. Start off small and pay attention to the pitch, the brief and the exectuion. Take that work and slowly build on it until you have a decidcated, demonstratable body of work you can take to a bigger client / agency and then rinse and repeat.
You could transfer a lot of what you said across to my own industry too. The pair of them are throwing lots of different roles and specialisms at the wall and hoping something sticks, whereas like what you said, they should choose one and strive to become an authority on the subject.

On a side note, they both look so dated. This is why I’m glad I never committed to any bold out-there fashion choices or body modifications. Basic witch Till I Die! The pastel unicorn look hasn’t been popular in years, ditto tattooed emo Ed Hardy, which is probably why their fashion influencer ‘jobs’ have never taken off. And this isn’t anything against alt fashion, but if you want to set yourselves apart on social media, they need to be doing something a bit different. We can slag off Betty all we want, but at least she had the foresight to focus her attention on her influencer career and create a niche and seems to be having some success as a result.
 
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We can slag off Betty all we want, but at least she had the foresight to focus her attention on her influencer career and create a niche and seems to be having some success as a result.
not to derail but imagine ur USP to pitch to brands being adhd and the colour orange
 
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He isn't a "nice guy". There is a reason he has virtually no mates anymore, he screwed some of them over so badly. He also isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, which is why he thinks begging on IG stories for a job is a prudent career move.
absolutely shafted his mates!
 
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Who were his friends and how/when did he shaft them? I don’t know much about that.
It was a good few year ago now but to do with ASA/the shop in Princes Square. I know a few people who went to work for him there from another place I used to work... which is where I think I know @ilovetrashtv from. (Does 714 mean anything to you).
 
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It was a good few year ago now but to do with ASA/the shop in Princes Square. I know a few people who went to work for him there from another place I used to work... which is where I think I know @ilovetrashtv from. (Does 714 mean anything to you).
I forgot about the midnight flit, just before Christmas! That was bad! Did people actually fall out with him about it? I know a couple of people who worked there but they’re all still following each other. Not sure if he’s still friends with Colin, Duncan or Robbie. That’s going back quite a bit.
 
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My cousins girlfriend worked for him in the London shop and got absolutely shafted too.
 
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Aside from the grossly misplaced self confidence and imagined expertise in 450 different creative fields, his other huge issue is HIS REPUTATION PRECEDES HIM! And not in a good way.

A quick google search of Rich’s name, or one of his brand names, shows any potential employer exactly who they’d be hiring… a companies house page littered with failed businesses, entanglements with other shady businesses, working practices at his one of his places so bad a union had to step in, this thread… the list goes on. Does he think no one does due diligence any more? Or is he so arrogant he thinks that his overdone art, inflated skill set and winning personality is so in demand that people will overlook all that?

What a cockwomble.
 
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Who were his friends and how/when did he shaft them? I don’t know much about that.
I've asked this before and I'm sure like my question, yours will go unanswered as well. They either don't want to out themselves or they're talking shite. maybe both, I don't know. People reference that he owed suppliers money before liquidating, which is really really REALLY tit: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/award-winning-fashion-boss-accused-7201438

Businesses, unfortunately, do it all the time and it's wild that it is totally legal . even worse when small businesses do it to other small businesses.
 
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I remember the hard grind guy posting on insta about the house they rented from him had been left in such a bad state & the garden etc were wrecked. He didn't mention them by name but it was obvious it was them. It was something along the lines of thanking the people that had helped with the work to fix it all up again.
 
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I remember the hard grind guy posting on insta about the house they rented from him had been left in such a bad state & the garden etc were wrecked. He didn't mention them by name but it was obvious it was them. It was something along the lines of thanking the people that had helped with the work to fix it all up again.


Assume it's this one... yikes!
 
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Re him screwing over pals - can’t speak to specifics but I do know a few folk in that “scene” who are ages with him call him a wank. One told me years ago to stop supporting AS, its well known among people. Appreciate that doesn’t help massively tho.
 
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I am not going to mention his specific friends, that not fair on them, but there were a few left shafted.
 
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Fair play. I was wondering if the friends were other influencer types who we could discuss. I understand not wanting to discuss normies like us though.
 
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Why is every one of these plebs in Margate anyway? Whats the pull? They can jump a ferry to France to escape the next time or something ?

Heavy Early Learning Centre vibes from their homes too 😂
 
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