Ambsn getting noticed by mags, key accounts

I recently caught up with AMBSN co-founder Dustin Odbert to catch up on the rapid growth of the emerging young men’s apparel brand that doubled in size in the last year.

For business owners, Dylan, 24, and Dustin, 28, skew towards the younger end of the spectrum. Despite their age, the two brothers, from San Luis Obispo, Calif., have a fresh outlook on fashion that has gained their retro and light-hearted made-in-the USA designs traction at key accounts. The brand is also getting noticed by mainstream men’s magazines and accounts worldwide.

I spoke to Dustin Odbert to catch up on the brand, the interest by GQ Magazine and how they have grown the business in the last year.

When did you and your brother start AMBSN?

We started the brand as a real business two years ago when we moved down to San Clemente from Arroyo Grande. When I say “real,” I mean that’s when we started paying attention to margins, keeping track of our receivables and keeping track of our numbers.

(Right: Dylan Odbert, friend Josh Hartley of Electric and Dustin Odbert.)

The three years before that when we lived in Arroyo Grande, it was pretty much, “Hey Dyl we just got into this sweet shop here is the order... Cool let’s get into some more stores,” and then six months later we would scramble to figure out who owed us money.

The brand concept for ambsn was thought of in 2001 after our friend was hit by a train as fundraiser to pay for his medical bills.

What makes ambsn different?

Along with unique forward product that is produced solely in the United States, which is by choice, I feel like there is something about two brothers from the middle of nowhere growing something together that they really believe in. It’s a compelling story that is pretty unique to us and ambsn.

As far as marketing and design, we take a light-hearted, fun approach to everything we do. Our whole design philosophy is what we call “New Wave Nostalgia” - respecting the classics and reinventing retro.

See Page 2 for more about Ambsn and its designs