R. Riveter, Cofounded by University of Mary Alumna, Announces Tremendous Growth in Episode of ABC’s Shark Tank
BISMARCK, ND — R. Riveter, in partnership with Mark Cuban Companies, is proud to announce they will be featured on a new episode of Mark Burnett’s hit ABC television show, Shark Tank, at 8 p.m. (CT), 9 p.m. (ET), on February 10, 2017. This new episode will share an exclusive update on R. Riveter’s massive growth since debuting their American handmade bags on the show one year ago.
You may recall, Shark Tank viewers responded to cofounders’ Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse’s call for support in 2016, as they voiced employment struggles of military spouses to the show’s investors. Their solution to employ military spouses across the country with flexible, mobile income inspired three of Shark Tank’s business tycoons to make offers and invest in the company. Bradley and Cruse accepted an offer of partnership and investment from Mark Cuban, and their new adventure began.
The upcoming Shark Tank episode will give viewers a look behind-the-scenes at R. Riveter’s growth, an impressive 600% increase in company size since the debut episode in 2016. This growth has allowed the company to continue their mission of providing military spouses with mobile and flexible income.
All this success has come thanks to the financial investment and moral support of Cuban, the hard work and determination of military families across the country, and the perseverance and ingenuity of Bradley and Cruse working hundreds of miles apart in Minneapolis, MN, and Southern Pines, NC, respectively.
This made-in-the-USA company is a testament to the grit and resourcefulness of military spouses and veterans across the country. Bradley, a 2006 graduate of the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, and native of Columbus, MT, is married to a veteran Ranger instructor and has two children. She helps manage personnel and the business side of the company from her home in Minneapolis.
“As I grew up in Montana where there is very little military presence, I didn’t know much about being a military family,” said Bradley. “When I met my husband, and eventually married him and the Army, it was a big change in lifestyle. I’ve always been driven and looked forward to having a career of my own. When that became difficult as a military spouse, I set out on a path to change the circumstance. One of the reasons R. Riveter is so unique is the ability to be flexible for working mothers. I have been fortunate to keep both my kids home here in Minneapolis so it’s not uncommon for us to have conference calls with kids laughing in the background.”
Cruse, a 2010 and 2011 Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) graduate and native of Tucker, GA, is married to a special operations soldier and also has two children. She oversees the detail and design of each handcrafted garment bag at its operations headquarters in Southern Pines.
“Our products are inspired by the strength and fortitude of the military spouse community – the utilitarian and modest details are an ode to those who have come before us,” said Cruse. “Uncertainty plagues the military community so I am proud to help offer a bit of control and identity back to the spouses and families of service members. As R. Riveter grows, so does our mission.”
The R. Riveter family invites you to watch their new Shark Tank episode, airing on ABC February 10, 2017, at 8 p.m. (CT), 9 p.m. (ET), as they unveil exciting company updates. The American handmade bags are available for purchase at http://www.rriveter.com/.
ABOUT R. RIVETER: R. Riveter is a military spouse owned company that began in a small attic with one sewing machine + a bit of canvas. Now, employing military spouses across the country to produce quality handbags and purses, R. Riveter has grown into a bold and achievable mission shared by many: to inspire, engage and empower.