Stanford’s “Wear The Word” Celebrates 25 Years of Faith, Family, and Hard Work

Published 2:19 pm Saturday, July 26, 2025

By Christopher Brown

Contributing Writer

What began with a $1,700 life insurance cash-out and a leap of faith has become a 25-year legacy of service, craftsmanship, and community impact. Wear The Word, a screen printing and embroidery business founded by Norb and Colette King in Stanford, continues to thrive thanks to its mission-driven purpose and personalized service.

Norb King, who previously worked in radio sales and management for 14 years, got his start in the printing industry in 1998 when he joined a local business called Ump Attire. Founded by Beulah Hester, Ump Attire specialized in gear for baseball and softball umpires and had recently added embroidery services to support off-season demand. King was brought on to grow the custom embroidery side of the business.

“I was hired to handle the local customers, while she focused on the umpire side of the business,” King recalled. “The goal was for me to grow the custom embroidery portion of the business to the extent that we could purchase a larger embroidery machine.”

By the fall of 1999, Hester decided to scale back embroidery to prioritize her core umpire products, and King was laid off. But he saw potential in the craft. More importantly, he saw an opportunity to build something meaningful.

“I saw the upside of the business and wondered if I added screen printing, we could attract even more business,” said King, who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, and public relations, as well as an associate’s degree in accounting. “My wife and I prayed about it, and I cashed in a life insurance policy. That was our startup capital.”

Thus began Wear The Word, a company with a mission to “print the Word of God on T-shirts and have them worn all over the world.” Within the first few months, the Kings created shirts for a mission team from London, Kentucky, headed to Uganda. Over the years, they’ve served missions on every continent except Antarctica.

More than just a business, Wear The Word has carved out a niche by serving underrepresented groups—small businesses, churches, schools, and nonprofit fundraisers—offering faster turnaround times and more personal service than larger vendors.

“Our goal is to raise the quality standards, service, and turnaround for our customers,” King said. “We would like to eventually see our business passed on to someone who will continue a legacy of service to our customers, community, and to God.”

That legacy includes beloved local projects such as the annual Fly Sam Fly 5K Run/Walk, held in memory of Sam Singleton, a student who passed away before his freshman year of high school. Money raised funds the Sam Singleton Educational Fund, which has helped many students right here in Lincoln County.

“That’s a special one,” King said.

Also included is the Jingle Bell Jog, now in its 18th year. Founded in honor of Major General Robert L. DeZarn, it has raised more than $231,000 for the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

“We’ve done the shirts and swag for the Jingle Bell Jog since the beginning,” King said. “The designs we’ve created over the years are some of our very best work.”

Wear The Word is a true family operation, based in the Kings’ basement. With the help of part-time employees Hannah Graef and Jeremiah Sewell, and design support from local artist Lily Nunemaker, the team prints most of the apparel themselves. Embroidery is contracted through a partner in Lexington.

King estimates they’ve printed more than 365,000 shirts since 2000.

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. The Kings have weathered two recessions, a pandemic, and personal health hardships. One of the toughest setbacks came when Colette, once deeply involved in the business, had to step back due to chronic pain.

“It was much more fun to work the business together,” King said. “I quickly discovered how many things she did for Wear The Word. She continues to offer prayer, encouragement, and advice.”

Still, the business has adapted with flexibility and faith, incorporating financial principles from Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace program and building lasting relationships with customers along the way.

Looking ahead, the Kings continue to pursue new technologies to provide top-tier quality at affordable prices. Retirement isn’t on the immediate horizon for Norb King, who plans to oversee the business as long as his health allows.

“Our niche is fundraising, and our passion is serving churches, mission teams, and civic organizations that are helping so many in our community and around the globe,” he said.

Norb and Colette King have lived in Stanford since 1992 and have raised three children: Dr. Alaina Royalty, an emergency room physician; Caleb King, a certified paramedic; and Ramsey King, a civil engineering student at Western Kentucky University.

“We’re proud to call Stanford and Lincoln County our home,” King said.

To support Wear The Word, contact Norb King at kingnorb@weartheword.com or visit www.weartheword.com.