Passaic Today

Emmanuel Ozias, a graduate of Montclair State University, has turned his dorm room ambition into a thriving global sports apparel business. A first-generation student from East Orange, New Jersey, Ozias launched Lock1n, an apparel brand with international reach. His journey began with blank T-shirts in his dorm and has grown to include partnerships with college athletes and custom uniform designs for high schools in New Jersey.

Ozias was driven by the goal of self-employment by graduation. He taught himself about marketing, design, and international sales channels. "I had to learn about marketing, I had to learn about design," he says. His brand's name, Lock1n, reflects his focus and determination.

Starting with sketches and manufacturer negotiations overseas, Ozias built his business from the ground up. "I was talking to almost 100 manufacturers a day," he recalls. Using platforms like TikTok for marketing without paid advertising brought him significant success.

Lock1n is not just a business but also a means for Ozias to give back. He has designed uniforms for East Orange STEM Academy and other school districts in New Jersey. The Cooperman College Scholars Scholarship at Montclair State supported him significantly during this journey.

Rahjaun Gordon from Montclair State acknowledges Ozias' leadership qualities: “As a sophomore...he shared his college experiences.” His contributions have been recognized through awards like the MEGA Impact Scholar Award.

Post-graduation, Ozias aims to expand Lock1n further while taking on creative director roles that blend design with athletics. Daniel Jean of Montclair praises his drive: “Emmanuel’s drive...is unmatched.”

The University will celebrate its graduates at Commencement exercises on May 7-8 at Prudential Center in Newark.