STYLE

‘n man

Ethan Hodson, an Ohio University senior, wants to make his — and your — dreams come true with his media brand.

BY GRACE DEARING | ILLUSTRATION BY ABIGAIL SUMMERS

As a college student, it can be I think it’s important to support local easy to view the world with businesses. Ethan gives a lot of people blinders, focusing only on the opportunity to be creative; he’s not maintaining an acceptable GPA just about growing his own brand, but and nurturing a social life. Ethan Hodson, helping other people grow.” a senior studying marketing, recognizes Hodson’s brand started as an idea in the rut that many Ohio University 2018, but officially launched when he students often fall into and wants to printed his first clothing line in March work toward inspiring others to find their 2019 for High Fest. Since then, RAMBL passion through his brand RAMBL. has continuously gained momentum and

According to RAMBL’s mission Hodson is expanding beyond clothing. statement, “RAMBL is a concept based “I’ve always wanted to start a on the idea that there are no boundaries company, it was just more so what kind that one can place on what we do, where of business is it gonna be?” Hodson says. we go and what we have to look like. We “Eventually, I realized all my passion are encouraging and inspiring others to and inspiration revolves around music, keep going past the limitations life gives clothing and what Tyler the Creator, us and embrace the journey every step ASAP Rocky, Pharrell and Kanye are of the way.” doing ... I started with clothing so that

Casey Calvetta, a senior studying I can pave my way into the music and communications who has modeled entertainment industry.” for RAMBL in the past, is a dedicated In addition to a custom clothing customer and has seen the impact the line, RAMBL offers branding, creative brand is making first-hand. direction, artist management, website

“I think that it’s good to have someone design and development and event inspire creativity in others and give planning. Recently, RAMBL hosted them a small platform to be creative,” a fashion show in OU’s CoLab to she says. “Especially going to school in showcase other brands and artists on Athens, it’s such a small community and campus.

Despite being a solo entrepreneur, Hodson has built a team of close friends that he leans on throughout RAMBL’s many projects. Whether it’s talking through an idea, partnering with a friend in the music industry or reaching out to someone to model RAMBL’s clothing, Athens has given Hodson an invaluable network.

“Ethan is very creative and very driven and he is a very positive person, which is super evident,” Calvetta says.

This passion has allowed Hodson to take RAMBL to the next level by branching out into the music industry. The brand currently represents two artists: Nem6 from Guatemala City and Ned.Beats from Cincinnati.

“It’s a whole new audience that is focused on clothing and branding,” says Ned.Beats. “I feel like[RAMBL] brings in more audience that you don’t have, and it offers more. It brings an identity to you. RAMBL is kind of a representation of you.” In addition to management and merchandise, Ned.Beats says RAMBL offers him countless opportunities to expand his platform and grow his audience. From show opportunities to photoshoots, and even an all-expense paid studio session, Ned.Beats says he has always felt supported by Hodson and RAMBL.

“He really seemed invested in me and my sound,” Ned.Beats says.“He’s a really giving dude and I think he’s just somebody I can rely on and trust in, in an industry that you can’t really trust a lot of people in.” Hodson is working on organizing a tour for Ned.Beats, Nem6 and a variety of additional artists. It is artist management and planning like this where Hodson’s marketing education shines, as he brainstorms ideas to ensure ticket sales are where they need to be, playing around with a plan to bundle tickets and merchandise, creating an incentive for people to buy tickets.

Designing a clothing line, hosting major events and managing artists all while balancing a full course load has been a lot to handle, Hodson admits, but he is optimistic about the future. Founding RAMBL has taught Hodson a lot about not only marketing and management skills, but also about how to tend to personal mental health while taking on a variety of responsibilities. Hodson plans on moving back to his hometown in Philadelphia to work with his friends. The 2 1/2 hour commute to New York City will greatly benefit the brand, he says. His hope is to pursue RAMBL full time after graduation, which he believes will make it much easier to focus on the business once the extra stress of classes are taken out of the picture.

“RAMBL is going to be the rest of my life. Now, it’s just building,” Hodson says. “I want to pave my lane in the entertainment industry and in the multimedia industry to provide these services.” b