Iron Mikayla's creator, Chambala Roach, has been in the Army since 1998 and is currently serving as an active-duty member while pursuing a doctorate in strategic leadership.
While touring a military museum, she had the inspiration to launch a line of fashionable clothing for women. There were a number of women from different time periods on display, but the museum's gift shop was sadly lacking in items aimed squarely at female visitors. With her were two retired women who were similarly disheartened by the results. She began exploring different online resources and military installations and quickly realized that women were grossly underrepresented. The clothing aimed at women often seemed like an afterthought or was designed with a narrow audience in mind. After talking to her friends, she realized this was an issue for many of them.
Her sister, Jacqueline Owens, helped her think of the perfect name for the company while they were visiting Yorktown Beach. Chambala founded the company while she was finishing up her MBA. Deborah Sampson fought in the Revolutionary War less than twenty miles from where Iron Mikayla was founded. Chambala is driven by the vision she has for the company's growth and by her desire to give her Sisters in Arms something of which they can be proud. Iron Mikayla will henceforth be synonymous with a strong, courageous, and unafraid female fighter.