Ranger Up is an American apparel company founded in 2006, specializing in T-shirt designs that often incorporate themes from the armed forces, mixed martial arts, and historical figures. The company is owned and operated by military veterans and has a strong focus on empowering other veterans to share their skills and talents with the private sector.
Nick Palmisciano, a former US Army infantry officer, founded Ranger Up while working on his MBA at Duke University. Initially, he began making T-shirts for ROTC students and selling them to military personnel as a way to stay connected to the community. Palmisciano faced significant challenges in the early days of the company, including financial difficulties that saw his bank account dwindle to just $1,300. However, he persevered, focusing on one task at a time and eventually steering the company to success. Today, he continues to support veterans’ causes and helps fellow entrepreneurs. He has been instrumental in the company’s growth, which saw $750,000 in sales in 2013 driven from social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. [1]
Tim Kennedy, an Army Special Forces veteran, is another key figure in the company. He is a retired mixed martial artist who fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, and other platforms. Kennedy is one of the few fighters to serve in the United States Army and fight professionally simultaneously. He has also been a television host, producer, and entrepreneur. Kennedy joined the Army in 2004 and has served in various capacities, including as a sniper and sniper instructor. He has been deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. [2]
Ranger Up started a website called The Rhino Den, which served as a platform for staff to share stories about their military experiences. However, as of July 2021, the website has been offline.
In 2015, Ranger Up collaborated with another veteran-run apparel company, Article 15 Clothing, to produce a feature-length indie film called Range 15. The movie was crowdfunded and premiered at the GI Film Festival in Washington, D.C.
Ranger Up also owns rugby apparel brand American Sin Bin and Unapologetically American, a brand meant to reach beyond the military veteran demographic.
In 2014, Ranger Up started a “vetrepreneur” program that involved hiring veterans for one year and then backing their start-up venture for another six months.
As of 2016, the company was worth $20 million.
Ranger Up is more than just an apparel company; it’s a platform that empowers veterans and provides them with opportunities to succeed in the private sector. With its range of brands, collaborations, and programs, Ranger Up has established itself as a significant player in both the apparel industry and the veteran community.
We are the Mighty - https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/ranger-up-nick-palmisciano/ ↩︎
Tim Kennedy Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kennedy_(fighter)
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