Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Abbie Richie

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Abbie Richie. Check out our conversation below.

Abbie, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
What’s most misunderstood about my business is the belief that older adults are not interested in learning technology or that they are not capable of it. That is simply not true.

Older adults are eager to learn, but they want to do it in a way that respects their pace and their goals. They are not trying to use tech like a business executive or a teenager. They want to use it in a way that fits their lives. Whether that means texting a friend, checking a bank balance, or joining a Zoom call, they want to feel confident and independent.

Another big misconception is the idea that an adult child or a high school volunteer can teach them just as well. While those people may mean well, they often lack the training and emotional intelligence needed to make the experience successful. Teaching tech to older adults is not just about knowing the device. It is about listening with patience, building trust, and celebrating small wins. That takes a special kind of skill set that goes beyond technical know-how.

When older adults are supported in a way that feels safe and respectful, they thrive. They are not behind. They are ready. They just need the right guide.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Abbie Richie, the Tech Guru at The Smarter Service. I host Tech Smarter and Tech Talks on CBS Channel 3 and 5, where I share practical advice to help older adults feel confident using technology.

As a keynote speaker, I have had the opportunity to present at events like TEDx, ICAA, AgeTechX Japan, LeadingAge AZ 2024, Evolve, and AZ ALFA.

My work has been featured on The List TV, ABC, FOX, USA Today, AARP, and the Washington Post.

You can find me online at www.thesmarterservice.com and on social media where I regularly share tech tips on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My brother Todd Hartley saw a vision for me long before I could see it clearly myself. Todd is a speaker at Tony Robbins Business Mastery and has always had a gift for spotting potential in others and busting limiting beliefs.

When I first started Senior Savvy in 2017, which was acquired by The Smarter Service in 2024, he said something that stuck with me. He told me, “Ab, no one knows you exist. You’re providing an amazing service that people need. You’ve got to get the message out there and start posting videos on social media. If you don’t, someone else will, and you’ll fall short of the mission God has given you to serve these older adults.”

At the time, I really hated that idea. Posting videos felt boastful, and I had zero experience on camera. But I trusted him. I started with one video a week. Then two. Then three. Then four.

Eventually, people began to see me as an expert in my field. That changed everything. My visibility grew, my confidence grew, and the mission became much bigger than me. Todd saw that future for me before I ever could, and I am deeply grateful he pushed me to step into it.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up. In 2020, when every senior living community closed due to COVID, I was crushed. I couldn’t be there in person to help the people I loved serving. I remember thinking, “I’ll just have to shelf this until after COVID.”

But then something unexpected happened. At Sagewood in Phoenix, Arizona, where I had been teaching in person for three years, the residents encouraged me — actually, they pressured me — to keep going. They told me to start teaching on Zoom.

The wild part is, I didn’t even know how to use Zoom then. But they did. These amazing residents in their 80s had been using Zoom for their community meetings for years because they didn’t have a big enough space to gather in person.

They begged me to give it a try. Honestly, it seemed like a terrible hot mess of an idea. Getting more than 20 older adults on Zoom for a tech class sounded impossible. But they helped me. They taught me.

Once I started teaching on Zoom, I was able to replicate the process in dozens of communities across the country. That moment of almost giving up turned into a major turning point for my mission.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is around aging. That when someone gets older, they stop being curious. They stop having big opinions. They stop wanting adventure, learning, or purpose. That they are content to play bingo and eat oatmeal and just fade quietly into the background.

Let’s be honest. That is ageism. And it shows up everywhere. Not just in how we treat older adults but in how we talk to them. We simplify our language. We raise our voices. We assume they cannot understand or will not be interested. And that is incredibly patronizing.

But it is not just how we talk to them. It is how we talk about aging in general. We say things like I am too old for that or I guess I am just slowing down now as if aging automatically means decline. We internalize those messages early and they shape how we see ourselves and others.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply that most people do not is this. The way we think about teaching older adults technology is completely off. Society assumes they cannot learn or do not want to learn, but that is just lazy thinking.

Older adults are traditional learners. They love to take notes. They love a good manual. They grew up learning with textbooks and qualified teachers who took the time to explain things step by step. They do not want to wing it. They want structure and clarity. And they want to be able to refer back to something later when you are not around.

They are lifelong learners. Just because they are older than you does not mean they are done learning. In fact, many of them are just getting started.

And let me say this clearly. They are one of the best generations we have. They are full of incredible stories, deep wisdom, and powerful insights. But too often, people are so wrapped up in their go go go lives that they completely miss the opportunity to connect.

I encourage you to really see the older adults around you. When you are walking down the street or shopping at the grocery store, notice them. They are not the shiny image of youth that usually gets all the attention. But they are looking for connection. And they will light up when they realize that you actually see them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thesmarterservice.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbie_richie/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbie-richie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbie.h.richie