Cameron Cruse is the COO and co-founder of R. Riveter, a handbag, accessory, and home goods retailer that that has redefined the traditional manufacturing process into a flexible, remote manufacturing network that employs military spouses.

After completing a Masters in Architecture from SCAD, Cruse founded R. Riveter in 2011 with a fellow military spouse. The duo was looking to find flexible, mobile income that was compatible with the frequent relocations that many military families deal with.

The company creates jobs for military spouses “wherever the military takes them.” and upcycles used and surplus military textiles to turn them into must-have handbags. They debuted their first product, the Grant tote bag, at a tradeshow in November 2011.

In 2015, R. Riverter opened its first brick and mortar store in Southern Pines, North Carolina. One year later, Cruse and co-founder Lisa Bradley appeared on a special Shark Tank episode featuring veteran businesses. Shark Tank host Mark Cuban offered Cruse and Bradley $100,000 and a line of credit for new machinery for 20% equity in their company. They used the money on marketing, opening a new production warehouse and hiring more military spouses.

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