Jul 15, 2019
Tyler Merritt, CEO of Nine Line Apparel joins Beav and Alex for episode 12. As an Army Captain, Tyler was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Tyler was a special forces Apache helicopter pilot(yes for real) his unit was deployed more than any other special operations unit to this day. This gave Tyler a unique experience trying to build and keep moral with in his overworked team. Moral shirts were just the beginning as Tyler “fell” into the t-shirt business, and started Nine Line Apparel while still at war in 2012.
The Nine Line Foundation, a Non-Profit organization, was started in 2013 as an effort to give back to Tylers friend and West Point classmate, Captain Edward Klein, who lost three limbs while deployed in Afghanistan. The Foundation built CPT Klein a new home that is wheel chair accessible, as well as helping with the enormous rehabilitation costs. This would take Tyler and Nine Line down a path of passion to help those in need within the Military community.
Based out of Savannah, GA, The Nine Line Foundation has now started a community of 74 tiny homes called the Veterans Village. A place for homeless Vets to transition back into civilian working life. Not only are they given housing, Nine Line provides work training and skill building for the Veterans. All of which is volunteer based, meaning 100% of the donations go straight to those in need.
Among all of this, Tyler is also a father and husband that has struggled to find that elusive Work/Life balance. The guys get into what its like to be a deployed husband and father, VS now being a busy CEO and Non-Profit Founder.
All of this and more, on Episode 12 of the Tactical Baby Gear® Podcast.