February 25, 2025

EP182 | Resilience, Rosie the Riveter, and Military Spouses with Lisa Bradley

47 minutes

“I don’t think military spouses want charity. I think they just want the opportunity to provide for their families or stay connected to something consistent.” – Lisa Bradley

When Lisa Bradley and her co-founder Cameron Cruse, both military spouses, started R.Riveter in 2011, it wasn’t just about making handbags—it was about creating opportunity, community, and a way to honor the resilience of military families. Inspired by Rosie the Riveter’s legacy, they built a distributed manufacturing model that empowers military spouses to work from home, wherever the military takes them. In this episode, Lisa joins me to talk about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship—from Shark Tank highs to navigating a marketing scam—while staying true to a mission bigger than themselves. We dig into why storytelling matters, how a handbag can carry a legacy, and what it means to love your country without getting political.

I’m fascinated by how R.Riveter turns a name into a movement, supporting military spouses not with handouts but with real work. Lisa’s grit, her roll-up-the-sleeves spirit, and the way they’ve refused to play victim—it’s all here in a conversation that feels like sitting down with a friend who’s been through it and come out stronger.

We explore:

The origin of R.Riveter and its roots in military spouse resilience

Surviving Shark Tank, scams, and the unglamorous side of entrepreneurship

Why storytelling is the heartbeat of their business (and why I think it’s worth the time)

Building a remote company before it was cool

How a handbag becomes more than just a bag—it’s a story you carry

Chapters

00:00 – Lisa on military spouses and R.Riveter’s mission

01:10 – Why I Love Podcasts: Picking up Lisa’s story where others left off

02:41 – Shark Tank, Scams, and Chapter 11: The real rollercoaster of entrepreneurship

06:36 – More Than a Bag: The deeper meaning behind R.Riveter

08:17 – Rosie the Riveter’s legacy

11:32 – Bridging generations and communities

19:54 – The Loneliness Epidemic: Finding purpose when your spouse is overseas

24:03 – Remote Work Realities: Schedules, balance, and staying human

28:02 – Shark Tank Prep: Mock tanks, tough love, and last-minute pivots

34:50 – Why We Podcast: The ROI of sharing stories (even without data)

39:24 – Heirloom Handbags: Turning military uniforms into living legacies

40:11 – Moving 14 Times: Resilience, self-confidence, and starting over

46:36 – Where to Find R.Riveter: Online and in-store

About R.Riveter:

rriveter.com – Check out their handbags and the stories behind them

R.Riveter on Instagram | Facebook

Southern Pines Store: Visit them in Southern Pines, NC

About Lisa Bradley:

Lisa Bradley is the co-founder of R.Riveter, a handbag company that empowers military spouses with mobile, flexible work. Growing up in rural Montana, she brought a resourceful, sleeves-up mentality to her MBA and her life as an Army spouse. Alongside Cameron Cruse, she launched R.Riveter from an attic in 2011, turning it into a national network that’s as much about community as it is about commerce. She’s navigated Shark Tank, legal battles, and a company overhaul—all while staying rooted in a love for country and family. Lisa lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband Jason and their kids, and she’s still dreaming up ways to make a difference.

A Personal Note from Eric:

Lisa’s story hit me hard—not just as an entrepreneur but as someone who loves a good tale of grit and heart. When R.Riveter sent my wife a bag before the episode, I knew this was more than a business; it’s a movement. She wears it, people ask about it, and suddenly we’re talking about military spouses, Rosie the Riveter, and what it means to build something real. That’s the kind of ripple effect I live for on this show.

Related content to Resilience, Rosie the Riveter, and Military Spouses with Lisa Bradley:

EP133 | Army Combat Veteran Talks Decision-Making | Lance Collins

EP089 | Perspectives on Overcoming Adversity with Frank Van Buren, Former U.S. Army Black Hawk Pilot

EP 179 | Going to the Canvas with Jodie King

Entrepreneur Perspectives is part of the KazSource family. We’re building a modern media network through QuietLoud Studios, SportsEpreneur, and KazCM.

Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:

X: x.com/eric_kaz

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erickasimov/

Credits:

Music by Jess & Ricky: https://soundcloud.com/user-774649902/sets/jess-ricky

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By Eric Kasimov | QuietLoud Studios

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