Meet the Riveter: Jennifer F
Name: Jennifer F
Year Started at R.Riveter: 2015
Position: Canvas Remote Riveter
Military Affiliation: Army spouse
Current Base: Fort Bragg, NC
1. First, tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am an Elementary School Art Teacher. This is my second career as I was a Human Resources manager for close to 20 years. I learned how to sew in sixth grade home economics and never really used the skills much after that class. I have been married to an Army guy for almost 19 years. He has been in the Army just over 25 years. I have two fantastically handsome sons and that look just like my husband, and even though I don't really like pets, somehow I have ended up with three cats, two dogs, and six sheep that my son shows competitively. I am the quintessential soccer mom for my other son and I feel like I am never at home due to the schedule my family has. My husband is gone all of the time for his job. Always has been. But I think we all just know that is part of the package, right?
2. Why did you join R.Riveter? I have a bag problem, like serious bag problem... came across the bags randomly, when ordering my Doyle, I saw the opportunity for part time work, which I was looking for, applied... and the rest is history!
3. How has being a military spouse (if applicable) affected your journey and your career?
I have had to choose "lesser" than positions within my career field for many years and ultimately changed careers completely due to the area we live in and the lack of opportunity for my career to thrive, as we cannot move. In my new career, I make a third of the money I used to make, so a part time job was inevitable. However, I also needed to be able to take care of my children, by being their personal UBER driver, as my spouse deploys a lot.
4. How has R.Riveter affected your life?
I have been able to take care of things financially that were not an option before such as two sets of braces and plans for a vacation. I have been able to do this all while never leaving my house or jeopardizing being able to support my children and their dreams.
5. What do you love most about what you do?
I love that someone will carry the bag that I have a small part in making and that I can do that while at my house, when I make the time to do so, and that all of that ultimately affects my family in a positive manner.
6. What is one of your most proud moments at R.Riveter?
My proudest moment was when I was asked to make a limited run of bags that were the only ones made for a promotion with Mark Cuban and Amazon. It was a great feeling to be trusted with that responsibility.
7. Favorite part about working at R.Riveter?
I can provide for my family part time outside of my full time job without having to leave them to go to a location after working full time each day. I also really enjoy the pride my son's have in me when they see me working, even after they go to bed, and they tell other people, sometimes strangers, that I make R. Riveter bags.
8. Favorite R.Riveter handbag?
Yikes. I love my Doyle because it is so useful. I love the Patton because I have carried it so long and it still looks and holds up great. I love my Grant as it is one that I made the canvas shell for and has a specific use of a seam from a tent that I placed in a creative manner, and I was so happy it ended up in the scratch and dent section when I had money to buy it for myself!!! I REALLY want an Otto... and yes, I realize I didn't really answer the question.
9. Fun Fact about yourself?
I majored in theatre scene design in my undergraduate studies and worked in NYC for almost five years after doing a National Theatre tour of a version of "Beauty and the Beast.". I did this thinking I would one day be a stage manager on Broadway. That plan obviously didn't stay on course!