�鶹��Ѱ�����

When �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder Leeds School of Business student (Fin’ 28) lost his restaurant job in 2023, it was abrupt, and disappointing. That feeling however, didn’t last long,

When he needed to cover basic essentials like gas and food, he turned to selling vintage, forgotten apparel. A few flipped pairs of Carhartt pants turned into curated racks of tees. Now, he’s got celebrities like Nikki Glaser showcasing his gear, and a growing network of buyers who look to him for their next standout piece.

That side hustle evolved into a passion, and now a business. sources rare finds and moves product through various platforms including Instagram and Depop. In-person pop-ups and larger events like ThriftCon are now a haven for Ellwood, giving him the freedom to instill life into something previously overlooked.��

In a world built on fast production and constant newness, his business proves that sometimes entrepreneurship begins with what’s already hanging on the rack. For Ellwood, it’s now about taking his momentum and evolving it into a larger-scale venture, and it starts here at CU.

Sharpening the Eye

It started small. A few pairs of Carhartt pants pulled from thrift store racks and resold for a margin. Over time, covering things like gas and food evolved into something more intentional. Ellwood sharpened his eye for quality, shifting from workwear to higher-tier vintage pieces. The more he sourced, the more he understood that it was more than just flipping clothes.

As Aido Vintage took shape, so did his approach. Instagram quickly became his digital storefront, and pop-up events across Boulder and Denver translated his online presence into a real-world community. Now, he had begun thinking more than just someone who was clearing racks.

He was curating them.

He started sourcing more with intention. By paying closer attention to what resonated at pop-ups and online drops, he was able to appeal to his target market more effectively. He’s also taking his personal learnings and incorporating them into his business. As a finance major, he’s constantly applying newfound knowledge into the real life situation that is his business.��

Business-Defining Moments

The evolution of his side hustle into a business didn’t just happen with just time alone. Certain moments enhanced his outlook on Aido Vintage.��

One of the most surreal moments came when a vintage Rockies jersey he had sourced made its way, through a local store, into the hands of comedian and actress Nikki Glaser. It reminded him how far a thrifted find could travel.

“I was able to take an item that was just sitting around, and put it in the hands of Nikki Glaser… and she wore it for a tour show, which is pretty sweet.”

Events like ThriftCon amplified the feeling, bringing even more excitement to his venture. Buyers from as far as Japan flew into events and picked up tees, and he quickly realized: these items were leaving the country. His reflection revealed he had created an actual business.

“It’s pretty incredible… I’m subtly growing an international network of buyers and connections.”

Using & Expanding his Ecosystem

While Aido Vintage was growing outside the classroom, Ellwood was sharpening a different set of tools inside it.��

As a finance major, many of his courses focus on large-scale companies and high-level strategy, but he began pulling what he could into his own operation. Concepts like contribution margin started shaping how he thought about pricing and sourcing, and Excel became an actual tool in his everyday life.

His exposure to CU’s broader ecosystem also expanded his perspective. His first introduction to the Deming Center was meeting at a Fashion Case Club event. The connection introduced a new perspective. He was now paying closer attention to the mentors and professionals �鶹��Ѱ�����brings into the room, broadening and familiarizing his perspective of entrepreneurship as a whole. Everything now felt more tangible than ever.

A Broader Entrepreneurial Perspective

It’s clear that Ellwood is going to continue growing his venture, with no end in sight. He’s got the resources and knowledge to make it happen, and now it’s just a matter of time.

However, his day to day activities are sure to continue. Vending at ThriftCon and other pop-ups is a passion of his. Connecting with others in that space is invaluable to him, and it ensures he will continue to build from the heart.

At the same time, his entrepreneurial curiosity is expanding. Over the past few years, he’s developed a growing interest in nutrition and health, and he’s begun brainstorming ideas in the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods space. And why shouldn’t he?��

“College is such a great time to try new ventures and new ideas, because you’re not in the working world yet. You still have time.”

Through all of this, he’s learned that entrepreneurship is about freedom, and it’s shown through Aido Vintage. The entrepreneurial mindset has allowed him to act on an idea without waiting for permission, and now, that abrupt ending in 2023 became an open door.

And for him, that door is still wide open.