3 Things To Know About Torch Warrior Wear From Shark Tank
Those serving our country deserve just as much comfort as they do respect. Women in the military have traditionally not been granted the same level of esteem as their male counterparts, all the way down to their clothing. But one lifestyle brand is looking to change this mindset for the better.
Torch Warrior Wear is an apparel and lifestyle brand made especially for military women from all walks of life. The company's variety of bodysuits, scrunchies, caps, and more are not only durable and stylish but are also extremely comfortable. Buyers can opt into a subscription service that will allow them to receive items regularly.
Aiming to make the world a better and more equal place is what drives Torch Warrior Wear to continue pushing the boundaries. Soon, the brand will have its time to spotlight its mission when it appears on this Friday's Season 15 episode of "Shark Tank." Can Torch Warrior Wear bring the heat?
The company's founder has had a varied career
With the tagline, "For and by modern-day women warriors," one would expect the leading force of Torch Warrior Wear to be a strong-minded individual. It's safe to say that classifying Haley Marie McClain Hill as such would be an understatement.
McClain Hill has had an esteemed military career. The Pennsylvania native's roles in the United States Air Force included working as an ROTC recruiter, a fitness officer, and a maintenance section commander. For the latter, McClain Hill was thrown into the nerve-wracking situation of being second in command to a 300-personnel squadron despite her lack of experience in leadership positions.
Before her time in the military, McClain Hill had a wealth of experience in cheerleading. Her time at Penn State saw her advance to become an assistant coach, which led to an NFL career cheerleading for teams such as the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers. Along with Torch, she also runs a company called Seek and Set Free which organizes retreats and events for cheerleading teams.
While in the Air Force, McClain Hill was inspired to create Torch after getting sick of wearing uncomfortable clothes primarily tailored for men. Speaking with Military Families, she explained, "I just saw the need for an item of clothing that made women feel more like women in their uniform, and not just, you know, throwing something baggy on every single day, and just going out the door that just doesn't really inspire you." She shared the concept that would become Torch on TikTok and got an immediate response from military women worldwide, indicating the universal need for such a solution.
McClain Hill plans to use Torch as an educational tool for women in business
Creating stylish and comfortable clothing for military women is already an admirable effort. But Haley Marie McClain Hill eventually hopes to use her expertise in the world of business to help women succeed in and out of the military.
Along with introducing new items and testing out different marketplace systems, one of McClain Hill's biggest future endeavors with Torch Warrior Wear is getting other military women started on the road of entrepreneurship and financial freedom. "I think teaching about their finances, how to start a business, how to be more aware of just their money situation — even if even if they are in the military and it seems very secure — how to even make more money, I find that very important," she said in an interview with Military Families.
According to the 2022 Annual Business Survey, although veteran-owned businesses accounted for 5.2% of U.S. businesses, they brought in an estimated $922.2 billion in sales. McClain recognizes this economic and personal potential and sees this service as a natural extension of Torch's goal, continuing with Military Families, "I want to kind of start having Torch become more community-based, education-based, as well as fashion and clothing. I believe every woman truly is a warrior."
This is not her first go around with Shark Tank...sort of
Torch Warrior Wear has a long road ahead in its mission to inspire and empower women to take on the world and be comfortable while doing so. The company's "Shark Tank" appearance is sure to give it a boost, as the unprecedented exposure from the show often results in a vast increase in business, a sensation known as the "Shark Tank" effect. But founder Haley Marie McClain Hill is already ahead of the curve, entering the tank with her own successful experience in pitching her brand.
In 2022, McClain Hill presented Torch Warrior Wear at the Veteran Shark Tank. The event allows veterans to pitch their ideas to a panel of experienced businesspeople, with five finalists competing for a $50,000 grand prize. While not associated with ABC or "Shark Tank," it's nevertheless a celebrated annual occurence, having gone on for over a decade now and almost always selling out. McClain took home the prize in 2022 and was even invited back the following year to be a judge.
As if this wasn't a promising enough sign, a preview clip from her "Shark Tank" episode sees McClain Hill exiting the tank crying happily and calling on the phone, indicating that she made a deal. Sure, it may give away the outcome of McClain Hill's segment, but with a successful businessperson and a meaningful brand, it would have been hard to predict otherwise.