Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Ritchey
Hi Robert, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in a small town in central Pennsylvania, where employment opportunities for young adults were limited. After high school, I moved to North Carolina to live with some family and worked in various industries, though none of them felt fulfilling. One day, my uncle advised me to consider a career in the Air Force. Taking his advice to heart, I joined, and 21 years later, I retired from the United States Air Force.
It wasn’t until my second move to Utah due to a military assignment that I discovered Pickleball. I immediately fell in love with the sport. I began playing whenever I could, and about five months in, I became curious about the apparel available for Pickleball players. I was surprised to find that most of the designs were either low quality, unoriginal, or just plain cheesy. Given my background in design and art, I thought, why not create my own?
I started by designing a few shirts and shared them with family and friends. To my surprise, they loved them. That’s when I realized I might be onto something. After doing some research into starting a business, I took the plunge – and the rest has been an amazing journey ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting my own business was a huge leap, especially with zero experience in owning or operating one, and no one in my network who could offer advice. So, I turned to YouTube University. It became an invaluable resource, teaching me the basics of business operations, bookkeeping, marketing, and more.
In the beginning, my biggest challenge was figuring out how to allocate my money wisely. I made some missteps, spending money on sponsorships, events, and merchandise that ultimately didn’t pan out. I was trying to scale too quickly, focusing on big-ticket investments rather than starting small, localized, and building a community base first. Without a strong foundation in marketing and business operations, it felt like an uphill battle.
However, through trial and error, I started making smarter decisions. I leaned on the resources available for veterans and small businesses in Utah, which made a huge difference. It’s been a tough journey, but I’ve learned a lot, and I’m continuing to grow stronger as a business owner.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I spent 21 years in the United States Air Force working on some of our nation’s most critical systems – the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), or weapons of mass destruction. My journey began as a technician, and my first assignment at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota was a major culture shock. But, it helped me grow through the challenges of young adulthood, to say the least.
In addition to working on nuclear weapon systems, I had the opportunity to collaborate with major companies like Boeing, ULA, NASA, DARPA, and others to launch a variety of satellites into orbit, including experimental, weather, communication, and classified missions. One example of this was working at the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska.
As I progressed in rank and took on more responsibility, I was shaped by my experiences and learned what it truly takes to be a responsible, honest, and hardworking adult. Throughout my career, I discovered that leading a team and helping young Airmen exceed their own expectations was my true calling. There’s nothing more fulfilling than watching someone grow, pushing past their emotional and physical limits, and guiding them toward self-improvement as they flourish.
As the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), it was my greatest honor to help build a culture of responsibility, honesty, self-improvement, humility, and camaraderie within the same shop where I started my Air Force career.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Throughout my life, I’ve never had just one mentor. Instead, I’ve gathered qualities from various people I admired and used those qualities to guide and shape who I am. Playing Pickleball has been an incredible catalyst in this journey. It’s introduced me to so many amazing people, and the community I’ve built because of it is something many people spend a lifetime searching for.
I try to live by values like kindness, helpfulness, encouragement, honesty, and humility in every interaction. It’s been these qualities that have helped me get to where I am today, and I continue to lean on them as I move forward.
Pricing:
- Unisex T-Shirts $25
- Hoodies $50
- Unisex Performance Shirts $30
- Pickleball Paddles $60
- Women’s Raceback Tanks $25-30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://casualdinkerpickleball.com
- Instagram: @casualdinkerpickleball
- Facebook: Casual Dinker Pickleball Co.
