Ricky opened his first Sewing Retail Store in Dyersburg, TN in 1976. Thirty-Six years later He and his wife (Kay) left the retail side of the industry and co-founded RNK Distributing. In 2013, Ricky was inducted into The Sewing Hall of Fame for his positive impacts on the industry. He has been deemed a Mentor, Teacher, Motivator and Inventor by Industry Leaders.