Exclusive Boss Q&A: Rick Forman, Forman Mills

Get the inside scoop from Rick Forman himself on his undercover journey.
What drove you to start your own business?
I was born that way. I was always searching for new ideas and was entrepreneurial at birth. I watched old reruns of “The Little Rascals”. They always started businesses. As a kid I would charge kids to go through a tunnel in our laundry room and told them a “Horror Story” – like a haunted house ride. I've never worked for anyone.
How important is it to you to be involved in the company you started?
It’s very important to be involved in the company I started –It’s in my DNA – I can’t shake it – it’s not about money. It’s a living, breathing organism. Also, “there’s always next year – How can we improve? We’re never actually there.....
Which employee's story touched you the most?
Probably Mshinda’s – multiple jobs. She lives in a tough Chicago area, single mother – but proud – that’s America.
Did you ever worry that your inability to focus on the tasks the employees were teaching you would result in you blowing your cover?
Not at that time. Now I would say that could have blown my cover but “Brad Bandini” was unfocused like a lot of people
What was the most difficult part about working the forklift?
Everything – I think it was rigged. I need to get back on and practice, that hurt my ego.
What was your first reaction to Nikia revealing that the employees were told not to greet customers in order to save time on the sale?
That was terrible. I should have closed the store down and revealed myself.
How did you feel when Kurtis said he thought the company didn't care about its employees?
It felt bad when Kurtis said he thought the company didn’t care. That’s everything – we need to change. I need to change.
How has instituting the community outreach & employee incentive programs impacted the company so far?
When the employee got their check just in time for the holidays – it was a blessing. I received a lot of cards and emails thanking us.
We’ve always been a charitable organization but now we have to have focused initiatives – this is a “work in progress.”