Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Harper.
Hi Steve, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Steve Harper’s story begins humbly in the world of copier sales, where Steve was the youngest Xerox Agent in the country. He was starting his first company in Austin, Texas, where he learned early on that relationships, not quotas, were the real drivers of success. Through cold calls, early morning appointments, and the ups and downs of a high-pressure sales environment, Steve developed a curiosity about people that would eventually shape his life’s mission.
After launching and leading two successful office equipment businesses, Steve realized his true passion wasn’t in selling office equipment but something much bigger. His desire to inspire others to connect more authentically led to the creation of The Ripple Effect, a philosophy and movement rooted in intentional connection and selfless action.
That spark turned into a published book—The Ripple Effect: Maximizing the Power of Relationships for Your Life and Business—which has since sold tens of thousands of copies across the globe and become a staple in business circles, classrooms, including at Belmont University, Ohio State, and others, and corporate boardrooms of companies of all sizes. In its third edition, the book has solidified Steve’s reputation as a best-selling author and thought leader in relationship strategy.
As his message caught fire, so did his platform. Steve became a sought-after keynote speaker, taking the Ripple message to Fortune 500 companies, startups, nonprofits, and educational institutions. His talks challenge the conventional wisdom of networking, championing authenticity over business cards and impact over impressions.
Today, as the Chief Rippler, Steve leads a relationship strategy firm called The Ripple Effect and runs ripplecentral.com, a hub for those looking to change the world one interaction and one connection at a time. From his Pond Community to his 8 Minute Ripple events, and through his coaching, blog, and podcast, Steve continues to help individuals and organizations build stronger, more meaningful connections.
What started with a single people cast into the pond of possibilities has turned into a global movement. And through it all, Steve remains focused on one simple, powerful truth: meaningful relationships create Ripples that cand and will change the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve suffered from impostor syndrome my entire life. As a naturally shy and introverted individual, I always felt like I was starting far behind the rest of the world, assuming everyone but me had already figured it out. Turns out, I was so wrong. So many of us feel this way, and that’s why I love coaching so much. I can relate to those fears, the lack of self-confidence, and the desire for more, but the uncertainty of how to get it.
I have had many bumps along the way, but wouldn’t trade the experiences for anything. They have made me who I am today. Do I still struggle with self-doubt, only every other minute, but I’ve developed coping strategies and a stronger approach to living my life with purpose and intention. This personal fortitude makes me highly equipped to help others who struggle with their own demons.
I’d say there are too many struggles to count to even share one decent example. But as I look back on all that I have been through, no one situation stands out as being more or less difficult than the others. But what I do feel when I revisit those bumps along the road to where I am now is a sense of pride and accomplishment. No I’m not living on easy street – each day is a test to see just how bad I want it. But the bad times I’ve had along the way have taught me a lot, especially how to enjoy the good times that will eventually come to drown out any of the negative that may have come before it.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Ripple Effect. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
What I Do Through The Ripple Effect
At the heart of The Ripple Effect is a simple but powerful belief: every interaction holds the potential to create a meaningful, lasting impact. Through Ripple, I help people and organizations unlock that potential by shifting their thoughts about relationships, connection, and influence.
I teach people how to connect with intention.
Whether it’s a Fortune 500 executive or a first-time entrepreneur, I show individuals how to go beyond surface-level networking to build real, authentic relationships that matter. I do this through:
Keynotes and workshops that inspire and energize
Coaching and strategy sessions for leaders and teams
8 Minute Ripple events that create instant, meaningful connections
I help companies build a culture of connection.
Through customized training, consulting, and Ripple-inspired frameworks, I work with organizations to foster trust, collaboration, and purpose-driven engagement among their teams. The result? A stronger culture, greater retention, and more impactful leadership.
I lead a growing movement of Ripplers.
Through RippleCentral.com and the Pond Community, I’ve cultivated a space where people come to grow personally and professionally. We share ideas, challenge norms, and support each other in creating ripples of positive change in business and in life.
I write, speak, and coach to ignite transformation.
My book, The Ripple Effect, now in its third edition, continues to reach new audiences worldwide. I use it as a launching pad to teach principles like selfless connection, Ripple opportunities, and the ROI of relationships, inspiring people to be more present, generous, and intentional in how they show up for others.
At the end of the day, what I do through The Ripple Effect is help people see that their smallest actions can lead to the biggest changes.
Because when you choose to Ripple, you don’t just grow your network—you transform your life, business, and world.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a big fan of Tim Ferriss’s books and podcast. I also love listening to Kevin Rose’s podcast. I am a huge Malcolm Gladwell fan and love tapping into my creative genius with a little help from Austin Kleon.
I am a constant consumer of books. On average, I read about 40-60 books per year for work and about 10-20 for pleasure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ripplecentral.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rippleon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rippleon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ripple/
- Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/rippleon/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SteveHarperrippleon
Image Credits
Korey Howell Photography
