Meet the Riveter: Leslie B
Name: Leslie B
Year Started at R.Riveter: 2016
Position: Graphic Designer
Military Affiliation: Army spouse
Current Base: Fort Bragg, NC
1. First, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, I married my husband right after graduating with a Master of Architecture degree from Texas A&M University. Not a career conducive to military life, I had to tweak my skills to make myself employable anywhere we’ve been stationed. Since getting married in 2009, we’ve live in New Orleans, Germany, and now Southern Pines, NC.
2. Why did you join R.Riveter?
I have always loved the company, the mission, the people, and of course, the bags. I got to know the women behind the company pretty well. So when I saw their need for a graphic designer, I jumped at a chance to work with the brand.
3. How has being a military spouse affected your journey and your career?
I think my Empowered Women Empower blog summed it up pretty well, so here's just how I answered it there: Being a military spouse has forced me to be creative and define an unconventional professional path. While all of my close non-military spouse friends are pursuing amazing careers that correlated with what they got their degrees in, it just wasn’t in the cards for me. I knew I had to do something different.
4. How has R.Riveter affected your life?
Being a freelance graphic designer means you often don’t have a steady, reliable source of income. You don’t always know where the next job is coming from. Working with R.Riveter has allowed for income to always be there in some manner. It creates stability in an unstable life.
5. What do you love most about what you do?
I get to use my skills to support an already amazing product and mission.
6. What is one of your most proud moments at R.Riveter?
I LOVE walking into the stores and seeing the white hang tags on the bags. I can’t sew to save my life, so it’s the only way I can contribute to the story that is each bag. Designing those tags was such a fun project, and its something that really highlights the unique R.Riveter story and mission in a concise, beautiful way.
7. Favorite part about working at R.Riveter?
Definitely the people I work with. I am challenged creatively in every project, and I love that.
8. Favorite R.Riveter handbag?
My Otto made from my husband’s Class A uniform. It truly is the “do everything” bag. I actually accidentally dropped an entire travel cup of coffee on it once and it not only protected everything inside, but it honestly held up beautifully and still looks perfect. Talk about resilience!
9. Fun Fact about yourself?
I live on a 1/4 acre urban homestead where we grow peaches, blueberries, and have a flock of four chickens.