We had the good fortune of connecting with Ethan Clifton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ethan, why did you pursue a creative career?
I couldn’t fathom anything else! My first job was as a graphic designer for an independent film company in my hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas at 16, and I’ve been making stuff ever since.
I’ve been a woodworker, designer, printmaker, beer brewer, freelancer, and muralist, and I’ll jump on any creative avenue out there.

As long as I’m making something, I’m happy. Whether that’s clothing with LONERBRAND, brewing beer and designing for Swine City, or running my new kitchen, “Underdog’s”, and everything in between.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the proud owner of LONERBRAND, an underground fashion project created about 8 years ago. All of my clothing is designed, sourced, printed, and dyed in-house on carbon-neutral, water-neutral, or vintage blanks. What started as screenprinting clothes my friends want to wear has grown into a full clothing brand with 6 runway shows, a flagship store, gallery takeovers, and countless popups under its belt. I can’t begin to explain how gracious I am from the support I’ve received.

I am also the creative director for a handful of small businesses. I handle the aesthetic and branding side of Swine City Brewing Co. in Fairfield, The concept creator for Underdogs, a new restaurant opening in mid-July, and the co-creator of Printer’s Devil, a screen printing and design firm that offers merchandise production, marketing, social media assistance, graphic design, and more.

Getting to where I am now seems easy, looking back at it, solely because I cannot picture myself working any other way. This is my passion, so I don’t mind working through the night or making sacrifices to get results. I just love what I do, no matter how stressful. Don’t get me wrong. I have a long, long way to go. I just hope I can keep up the momentum. An object in motion stays in motion, and all that.

Overcoming obstacles is the most valuable tool for being an entrepreneur, in my opinion. I don’t think I’ve ever had a project go 100% according to plan – There is always. ALWAYS. Something. I’m learning every time I face a new challenge, and I believe that is the most important part of making plans a reality.

Truthfully, I don’t really want the world to know a ton about ME as an individual. I want what I do to stand on its own. Talking about myself ( or anything I’m working on, tbh) is uncomfortable. I just want to not come across as a douche while also promoting what I do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a big dive bar guy. I’m absolutely taking a friend to Binski’s in Camp Washington or Larry’s All American in Covington for a shot of Malort.

Huge fan of the American Sign Museum and Mean Street Gallery for inspiration.

Truthfully, I don’t do a ton out and about. I’m a bit of a workaholic (and a homebody). I hit my neighborhood bar, work, and come home. My partner and I try to get out to a different area once a month or so – we bounce around a lot in Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t do any of this without support from my wonderfully creative and supportive partner, Alexis. She’s been a defining factor for every creative avenue I pursue. I’ve never had anyone so understanding, patient, and thoughtful in my corner before.

A Huge shoutout to my best friend, Patrick. He’s been a genuine support system as long as I’ve been running LONERBRAND. I make sure to bring him with me with every new endeavor.

The love and encouragement from my parents gave me a huge advantage. When I told them I was dropping out of college to pursue art, they gave me trust. That set me up for success.

Website: https://www.lonerbrand.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com.loner.pdf

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LONERBRAND23/

Other: www.swinecitybrewing.c0m
instagram.com/swinecitybrewing

@almostfamousweiners
Facebook.com/underdogsalmostfamousweiners

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