Rick Poore woke up one morning and everyone he saw on the street had screen printed or embroidered clothes. Since he’d been looking for a new career path, he decided to start his own business, Shirts 101, a screen printing and embroidery business with several niche markets including the college Greek market, martial arts and specialty retail items.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Not having real training for running a business. I’m still getting over the fact that I was an English major – and that took me 10 years.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Staying in business for 18 years. My mom said I wouldn’t last three.
Tell us a little about your family.
I’m a typical western Nebraska kid. Married twice. One stuck. Jo and I operate as a life support system and chauffeur service for a 10 year old named Charlie.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
I think it was 1988 when Nebraska beat Kansas (basketball) here in Lincoln. Bo Ried hit a shot from the corner at the buzzer. The place went nuts. I went downtown for a beer. I turned left into the Zoo Bar and met the woman I was to marry a year later. That was a great basketball game. Jo hasn’t been that bad either.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
What the heck is that?
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I really don’t see myself as unique or all that interesting. Maybe it would be the tattoo on my backside that reads “butt”. Since I got that tattoo, I have never lost my butt.
What are you the most proud of?
That I have not yet actually jumped off a cliff regardless of all those that have told me to do just that.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Duck!
What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish?
Write a tell-all book about myself. Boy would I be embarrassed.
How would your friends describe you?
Short. They would say ”Rick? He’s the short guy over there.”
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?
Giving pedicures. That, and being sarcastic.
Which talent would you most like to have?
If I could just have it without having to practice, I guess it would be to play the piano. But I don’t want to have to practice. I just want to do it. Just wake up one morning, sit down to a piano and play like Jelly Roll Morton.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d like to be a little more serious about things sometimes.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
My favorite is The Good Earth by Pearl Buck but Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey is pretty darn good.
What is your favorite movie?
Young Frankenstein
What is your favorite TV show?
I Love Lucy
What is your favorite Lincoln restaurant?
Can’t tell you without making other restaurants mad at me.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Either Mel Brooks or Fred Flintstone. Fred did so much with the quality of writing he had to work with.
What is the best way to reach you?
Email me at Rick@Shirts101.com or visit our online store at http://www.Shirts101.com.