Former Navy SEAL, Elijah Crane, is one directed guy. While still active with the SEAL teams, his younger brother – a Marine helicopter pilot – gave Eli a very cool makeshift gift: a bottle opener made form an inert .50 caliber cartridge. Crane realized the design could be vastly improved and heard his calling.
While transitioning out of active duty he and his wife launched a business out their garage that aimed to mass-produce these tacticool “bottle breachers.” However, it didn’t take them long to realize they’d need a serious cash injection to grow the business and keep up with demand. Mr. and Mrs. Crane pitched the idea to the reality TV show Shark Tank. They were selected as finalists and walked away with a substantial sum of venture capital to invest in the business. In this story, I talk to Eli about his company, how he overcame obstacles in both his business and military careers, and what lies ahead for Bottle Breacher.