Profile of Success: More than Military Might

Even before Sept. 11, U.S. Cavalry Inc. started to move to more law enforcement-related products as the military downsized in the 1990s. “Look at my industry and the place where it is now,” says Acton. “We’ve had to move away from military and on the upside with the law enforcement.” Acton says he recognized the need for change by watching trends. “It’s the old adage of staying in touch. This gave us a clue as to what new things we could sell”—and also what products to drop. For example, he says, “Humorous military mottos on T-shirts that were popular 10 years ago are taken completely differently now.”