Rick Torrey

Rick Torrey, also known as Richard Torrey, is a retired entrepreneur who owned and led Basin Sports, Out Of Bounds Snowboard Shop, and True Wheels Bike Shop. His love for skiing and mountain biking fueled the creation of these businesses, and over the years, they became well-regarded in their industries. His passion for outdoor activities drove Rick’s journey into entrepreneurship, and he successfully turned that passion into businesses that served the local community for many years.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, he worked in the mid-1970s as a programmer at an insurance company. His skills in programming were well-regarded, but most of his time was spent in technical support, where he contributed to developing more efficient methods for accessing computer systems. These innovations played a significant role in improving systems that were otherwise difficult to manage. Despite his success in tech, he felt a pull towards a different career path, which led him to explore entrepreneurship.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, he moved with his family to Ludlow at a young age. Growing up, he worked various jobs like mowing lawns, babysitting, painting houses, and delivering newspapers. These early experiences shaped his strong work ethic and gave him a deep understanding of the importance of saving, especially as his family faced financial difficulties.

After high school, he continued working while attending school. He enrolled in a technical computer processing school and took evening classes at local colleges. During this period, he worked at Pratt and Whitney and even coached Little League hockey, leading his team to a regional victory. Although his career in the technical field was progressing, he eventually decided to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams.

In 1975, he bought his first home in Windsor, Connecticut, and shifted into a programming role at an insurance company. In 1986, after purchasing a second home, he began planning his transition into entrepreneurship. His first venture came when he lent money to a friend to buy a ski shop, but when that shop went out of business in 1991, he bought it from the bank. Despite having no experience in retail, he dedicated himself to learning the business. Over the next 32 years, he transformed the shop into a leading company, recognized locally and in the industry.