Penn State graduate and former U.S. Air Force Lt. Haley McClain Hill appeared on Shark Tank (Season 15, Episode 12) and received $150,000 in funding to help move the brand forward.
During her appearance on Shark Tank, the former lieutenant presented a line of body suits made with “breathable” fabric. The Pentagon-approved body suits come in various colors that accommodate each military branch. TORCH Warriorwear is McClain Hill’s labor of love. The veteran said she wanted to create a line of undergarments that met U.S. military standards and was a comfortable fit for women’s bodies.
“This is my opportunity to give women in the military to wear not uncomfortable uniform t-shirts catered towards men, but the opportunity to have both comfort and fashion without sacrificing functionality.”
McClain Hill said she plans to expand the company by marketing the undergarments to police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and healthcare workers.
Some panelists expressed concerns about competition from larger brands and the small business’s ability to meet high customer demands. However, veteran shark Lori Greiner saw potential in the company. Greiner initially offered $150K in exchange for 25% of the business. The women eventually negotiated a deal for $150K in funding, with Greiner holding a 22.5% stake in the company.
During her pitch, the 28-year-old entrepreneur shared her inspiration to join the military—her grandmother, Sheila Kehoe, a 20-year Air Force veteran.
The episode ended with McClain Hill calling Kehoe to tell her she landed the $150K deal.
“It was an incredible experience representing the women in the military and honoring their service,” McClain Hill said in an interview with the Olean Times Herald.
McClain Hill joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) while she was a student at Pennsylvania State University. While stationed in Atlanta, the commissioned officer moonlighted as an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader. She later joined the San Francisco 49ers’ cheerleading team while stationed at Beale Air Force Base in California.
After ending her nine-year military career in 2021, the Penn State graduate founded the TORCH Warriorwear brand.
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