Art Richardson started selling Tech Tire Repair in 1968 at 18. He then obtained a degree in marketing with a specialty in advertising from the University of Rhode Island. Additionally, he got an MBA from URI with a concentration in management. In the 70s, Richardson bought his first of five auto parts stores. He was later offered a full-time position teaching Marketing at Bryant University, and his career as a full-time, and later adjunct, professor spanned from 1978 to 2018. Richardson's position also allowed him to work as an independent small business consultant, as well as for the Small Business Development Center. Later on, Richardson became a mobile tool distributor for a flag. He worked with them for 14 years before joining the GEARWRENCH Street Team in 2017.