At the beginning of the year, Cedarville University junior Ethan Wallis received his first shipment of motorcycle gloves — that he designed himself.
The accounting major from Cedarville, Ohio, started his business, Rider Aspect, in 2023 to offer quality and affordable protective gear for motorcyclists. And he started with riding gloves.
As most motorcyclists go through several pairs of gloves in a year, Wallis recognized the importance of providing an affordable option that boasts all the necessary safety features of a well-designed glove.
“After a few months of developing a relationship with a manufacturer, designing a glove and testing prototypes, I was really happy with the product and decided to just go for it,” said Wallis, who spent countless hours researching manufacturers and developing prototypes before finalizing the design.
Wallis’ entrepreneurial mindset was cultivated when he was not competing on Cedarville’s cross country and track teams. During these “down” times, he would work on his business ideas. With assistance from Cooper Peterson, a 2023 environmental science graduate and current M.A. in Innovation student — who launched the RunGLUBZ business in 2022 — Wallis made his business idea a reality.
“I’m very thankful for Cooper’s help in getting my business started,” Wallis said.
Pertaining to the future, Wallis has a couple of things on his radar. He would like to see consistent sales on his gloves to expand Rider Aspect to add a jacket or pants to his line. But one particular piece of protective clothing has caught his attention: airbag vests. However, technology like this can be expensive.
“I would love to change that and make it something everyone could afford, keeping more motorcyclists safe on the road,” Wallis said.
A lover of cars and motorcycles himself, Wallis has also entertained the idea of opening a dealership. Over the years, he has bought, fixed and resold 14 cars and 14 motorcycles.
“I’m constantly thinking about what I could do that could create the most valuable business,” he said. “But right now, I’ll be focusing on Rider Aspect and making it a brand that motorcyclists trust to protect them and keep them comfortable while they are out riding.”
Wallis’ Rider Aspect business took second place at The Pitch competition at Cedarville University, a competition where students present their business ideas for a chance at a $1,000 first place prize.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs. With an enrollment of 5,456 students in 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Bachelor of Science in accounting, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the university, visit cedarville.edu.