Platform Seven

I founded Platform Seven in February 2023 — a new concept company that works closely with young adults and entrepreneurs in order to understand their passions and ambitions, help conquer fears, surmount challenges, and make success both in life and business attainable.

In a relaxed and informal environment, we break down barriers, transform mindsets and offer expert advice, mentoring, coaching, success therapy and business strategy — to inspire and accelerate success. 

We do this through 20 years of personal experience as mentors, mentees, entrepreneurs, and successful business owners.

Based in Los Angeles and with a client base across America & Canada, Platform Seven also offers a unique Client Formula Blueprint course, providing numerous tools and strategies to free people from limiting beliefs, and in doing so turn dreams into realities.

Founder and Director

Valvano Limited

I am the founder of this successful and longstanding private property company. 

Valvano Ltd predominantly purchases commercial retail and office assets throughout the UK.

Founder

Colliers

Having sold my former company Hatton Real Estate to Colliers in January 2016, I then assumed responsibility for running the Colliers London City Fringe office.

Alongside my co-directors of Hatton Real Estate, we directed the office for over four years, specializing in office and investment real estate within Central London

Director of London City Fringe Offices

Hatton Real Estate Limited

My co-founders and I set up Hatton Real Estate in the midst of the financial credit crisis in 2010.

The company focused on commercial office leasing, sales and investment within the Central London office market.

Another focus was the recruitment of young talent who had recently left school or college, and on company mentoring to enable their success.

Over five consecutive years, the agency was statistically recognized as the most active brokerage within the Central London City Fringe market.

Having revolutionized the commercial property industry in London, the business was acquired by Colliers International in January 2016.

Co-Founder

Richard Susskind & Company

Director

Young Enterprise UK

As Schools Business Mentor for this UK national charity, I helped to motivate young people to succeed in the changing world of work, by equipping them with knowledge, skills and self-confidence.

YE works directly with young people, teachers, volunteers, businesses and influencers to build a successful and sustainable future for all young people and society at large.

Through hands-on employability enterprise and financial education programs, resources and teacher training, YE works to significantly reduce youth unemployment, help young people realize their potential beyond education and empower a generation to live and work.

School Business Mentor

Entrepreneur, Mentor, Keynote Speaker. Follow for insights on Entrepreneurship, 'Real-world' Education & my journey. Founder Of Platform Seven

At 16, I dropped out of school, feeling defeated. 
At 17, I found a mentor who introduced me to Central London's real estate scene. 
By 24, I launched my first company, Hatton Real Estate. 
By 30, I sold it to Colliers International.

Now based in LA, I mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and celebrities worldwide. I've helped clients raise millions on TV shows like Shark Tank and Dragon's Den, and advised participants from shows that include Million Dollar Listing and The Apprentice. I've also advised the UK government on entrepreneurship and education. I regularly engage in public speaking, sharing my experiences with businesses, high schools, colleges, and community events across the US & Europe.

In 2023, I founded Platform Seven to bridge the gap between traditional education and the 'real' world. Platform Seven offers practical courses, inspiring events, personalised mentoring and the tools to help members thrive, whether they're just starting out or already established. 

Giving back and paying it forward are core to my mission, ensuring others have the same support and guidance that fueled my success.

Everyone looks for secrets.
Warren Buffett built an empire on simplicity.

No hacks.
No shortcuts.
Just habits most people ignore.

Loved this post from Jen Blandos

Here’s what he teaches without saying much:

1️⃣ Stay calm under pressure
→ Chaos exposes discipline. 
→ The loudest person rarely wins.

2️⃣ Never stop learning
→ The day you stop reading, asking, and observing:
→ you start falling behind.

3️⃣ Surround yourself with better people
→ Environment shapes decisions. 
→ Choose wisely who you spend time with.

4️⃣ Say no often
→ Focus isn’t built by adding more. 
→ It’s built by protecting what matters most.

5️⃣ The boring stuff builds wealth
→ Patience, consistency, and compound effort:
→ that’s the real formula.

Everyone wants excitement.
Few have the courage to be consistent.

That’s why there’s one Buffett and millions chasing trends.

📌 Master the simple things.
→ They’re the ones that last.

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Ricky Blair

Entrepreneur, Coach / Mentor, Keynote Speaker. Follow for insights on Entrepreneurship, ‘Real-world’ Education & my journey. Founder Of Platform Seven

You are easily replaceable at work.

But at home? 
You are irreplaceable.

Remember that.

We spend so much time proving ourselves at the work:
- Chasing promotions
- Meeting deadlines
- Sacrificing rest

Yet no matter how hard you work, someone else can take your place.

But no one can replace the role you play in your family’s life.

So don’t lose sight of what truly matters.

Turn off work once in a while.
Be present with those who depend on you.

Because success at work is temporary:
But love and connection at home last forever.

Credits: Dr. Dupe Burgess

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Everyone talks about being “ahead of schedule.”
But the truth?
Life doesn’t run on deadlines.

You can be:
+ lost at 22,
+ broke at 28,
+ unsure at 31,
+ start over at 35,
+ finally rise at 38,
+ find your purpose at 42,
+ and become truly unstoppable at 47.

That doesn’t make you late.
It makes you real.

Growth is messy.
Progress isn’t a straight line.
And purpose doesn’t come with a timer.

Trust your pace.
You’re not behind.
You’re becoming.

📌 Greatness takes time and it’s never too late to start again.

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Bullies do not disappear when school ends.
Some just learn how to hide inside companies.

They sit in meetings with titles.
They push people down to feel in control.
They damage confidence to feel important.

And the worst part is that many workplaces let it slide because the bully delivers results.

Loved this post from Rob Dance

Here is the real cost:
Teams shut down.
Ideas slow down.
Good people leave quietly.

If you lead, pay attention to this:

• Results should never excuse harmful behavior
• Morale matters as much as performance
• A strong culture requires strong boundaries

A workplace is only healthy when people feel safe to speak, work, and grow.
A bully destroys that in minutes.

Leadership means stepping in, not looking away.

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You can't grow in the wrong environment.
Even a strong seed won’t thrive in poor soil.

Your environment shapes:
- your mindset
- your habits
- your self-belief.

And most of the time, we underestimate just how powerful that influence is.

When you're surrounded by:

↳ People who criticise more than they encourage
↳ Chaos that distracts you from what matters
↳ Energy that drains rather than inspires...

…it becomes very hard to stay motivated, let alone grow.

But when you're in an environment that supports you?

You begin to believe in yourself. 
You show up differently.
You take more chances. 
You become more.

Here’s how to create a growth-friendly environment:

1/ Audit Your Circle.
↳ Spend more time with people who challenge and uplift you.

2/ Curate Your Inputs.
↳ What you watch, read, and listen to matters. 
↳ Feed your mind with what fuels your goals.

3/ Set Physical Boundaries.
↳ Create spaces (online and offline)
↳ That help you focus, recharge, and reflect.

4/ Celebrate Progress, Not Just Results.
↳ Environments that reward effort help you stay consistent and committed.

5/ Ask for Help When Needed.
↳ Growth is a team sport. 
↳ The right support accelerates your journey.

6/ Eliminate Energy Drains.
↳ Whether it’s tasks, people, or mindsets
(Remove what holds you back)

7/ Be That Supportive Energy for Others.
↳ Your environment isn’t just what you take in, it’s also what you put out.

The right environment isn’t a luxury.
It’s a growth strategy.

Image Credit: visualhustles (Instagram)

—

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Believing in yourself sounds simple.
Living it daily feels like a full-time job.

Because confidence isn’t a switch.
It’s a practice.
A habit.
A choice you make again and again - especially on the days you doubt yourself the most.

Here are 7 habits that make self-belief a real skill, not a slogan 👇

1/ Speak to yourself with respect
→ Your self-talk becomes your self-image.
→ Replace criticism with direction, not shame.

2/ Keep the promises you make to yourself
→ Confidence grows when your actions match your intentions.
→ Even small follow-through builds trust in your own capability.

3/ Do hard things on purpose
→ Challenge creates evidence.
→ Evidence creates belief.

4/ Reduce comparison
→ Someone else’s pace has nothing to do with your potential.
→ Focus on improving your own baseline.

5/ Surround yourself with people who stretch you
→ Your environment influences your ambition more than motivation ever will.
→ Stay close to those who see more in you than you see in yourself.

6/ Celebrate your small wins
→ Progress becomes obvious when you notice it.
→ Clarity fuels confidence.

7/ Move even when you feel unready
→ Action quiets self-doubt faster than thinking.
→ You build belief by proving to yourself that you can begin.

Self-belief is work.
Daily work.
But once you build it, everything else becomes easier to reach.

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Transformation rarely comes from big moves.
It comes from daily habits done long enough to create a new version of you.

Here are 7 habits that can reshape you in the next 50 days:

1/ Wake up before 6 AM
Not for hustle culture - but to take control of your morning before the world takes it from you.

2/ Exercise for 30 minutes
A stronger body creates a sharper mind. Both fuel better decisions.

3/ Read 10 pages a day
Ten pages a day becomes a completely different level of thinking over a year.

4/ Spend one hour learning a new skill
Skills are leverage. Leverage is freedom.

5/ Eat with intention
Your energy, focus, and discipline all start with what you put in your body.

6/ Meditate for 10 minutes
Stillness creates clarity. Clarity creates better choices.

7/ Say no to short-term pleasure
If it trades long-term progress for quick relief, leave it.

Small habits build big shifts.
Fifty days is enough to change your pace, your mindset, and your direction.

Start today:
Your future self will thank you for the discipline you choose now.

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A bad manager can ruin your career. 
A good one? They can change your life.

Loved this quote from Tobi Oluwole

Companies talk a lot about mental health at work. 
Mindfulness. Resilience. Boundaries. 

But here’s the truth: your manager has more impact on your well-being than your doctor or therapist.

A good boss:

✅ Helps you grow without burning out.
✅ Has your back when things go wrong.
✅ Sets clear expectations (no guessing games).

A bad boss:

❌ Micromanages every move.
❌ Creates stress, uncertainty, and fear.
❌ Makes Sunday nights feel like a countdown to doom.

If you’ve ever had both, you know the difference.

🔄 Tag a manager who changed your life (for the better).

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The best talent rarely comes gift-wrapped.

I once hired someone with a messy CV. Gaps, short stints, no fancy titles.

But in six months, they outperformed everyone.... 
Why?

Because character doesn't show up in credentials.
And potential rarely looks polished.

We say "don’t judge a book by its cover" - but we do it every day:

▪️ We overlook quiet voices in meetings.
▪️ We assume presence = competence.
▪️ We skip candidates who don’t 'look the part'

But some of the sharpest minds come wrapped in humility.

And the greatest resilience hides behind the softest voices.

Leaders don’t just see what’s obvious.
They look deeper. They listen longer.
They bet on people others overlook.

The truth?
You’ll miss gold if you’re only looking for glitter.

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Since stepping out of the real estate world five years ago, I’ve found myself coaching and mentoring individuals and companies. 

And recently I keep getting asked the same question:
“Who do you actually work with… and how do you help them?”

Here’s the simplest answer:
Individuals who feel stuck or under-fulfilled in their career
 
Sometimes you want to push to the next level.
Sometimes you’re too comfortable.
And sometimes you’re simply tired of doing work that doesn’t excite you anymore.

✅ I help people get clear on what they truly want and build a path to get there. 

2) People who want to bring a business idea to life

Maybe you’ve had an idea sitting in your notes for years.
Maybe you’ve started… but stalled.

✅ I support people with structure, strategy, accountability, and the confidence to actually execute.

3) Founders and business owners

This includes people who:
- Feel stuck in a rut or directionless
- Are growing but want to reach the next level
- Are misaligned or clashing with co-founders
- Need support with leadership, systems, or big-picture strategy
- Are building alone and want accountability
- Are preparing for a future exit and need guidance
 
At its core, my work is about helping people create momentum in their careers, their businesses, and their lives.

If any of this resonates, feel free to reach out.

No pressure and all conversations will remain strictly confidential.

Over 70% of graduates say they feel unprepared for the real world.

 And after working with thousands of students, I can confirm: it’s not a lack of intelligence - it’s a lack of clarity, confidence, and mentorship.

That’s why I built Platform Seven:
+ To help colleges bridge the gap between education and real-life.

In spring 2026, we’re opening up a small number of new college partnerships in the US and UK.

If you’re in student success, career services, student-life, or entrepreneurship… and your students would benefit from:

• real-world mentorship
• career clarity
• founder-led workshops
• online community + ongoing guidance

 …I’d love to connect.

Drop me a message or say “interested” and I’ll share more details.

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