From Tornado to Triumph: UWG Alum Ozier Leads Family Business to Statewide Recognition Share this page
From outfitting Wolves fans to supporting UWG Athletics, Ozier Apparel has long been part of the University of West Georgia’s story. Now, owner and alumnus Will Ozier ’06 has his own chapter of recognition to celebrate: his family’s company has been named Georgia’s 2025 Family-Owned Small Business of the Year.
“Receiving the awards is incredibly meaningful to me,” Ozier said. “The recognition is a testament to my family’s unwavering support and the dedication of our entire staff.”
Founded in 1985 with a focus on embroidered items, Ozier Apparel faced a turning point in 2008 when a tornado destroyed its Bowdon building.
“My father, Billy, was running the business, and I was working in Long Beach, California, at the time,” Ozier recalled. “We saw this as an opportunity to relocate the business to Carrollton. In early 2009, I left my job and moved back home. After being in Carrollton for a couple of years, the demand from our clients for screen-printed apparel grew.”
That move positioned the company for growth. By investing in in-house screen printing, Ozier Apparel doubled its sales within three years. For Ozier, the company’s success has always been built on relationships.
“Our client relationships are what set us apart,” he said. “Some of our core clients have been with us since the beginning. We try to establish a long-term relationship rather than make a quick sale.”
Those connections extend to his alma mater.
“The relationships I developed over my extended tenure at UWG are still helpful today,” Ozier shared. “Many of my classmates and colleagues are now clients.”
He also points to his professors as shaping his leadership approach, particularly Richards College of Business’s Department of Management Professor Dr. Thomas Gainey.
“His style of teaching came across as more relatable to real life rather than just memorizing a textbook,” Ozier said. “The class I found most interesting was on production operations management, and I still reflect on discussions from that class when setting up workflows and SOPs (standard operating procedures) in our production.”
Ozier now gives back to UWG as a member of the Athletic Foundation board.
“Athletics is a huge part of our university’s growth and development,” he explained. “When UWG Athletics is successful, the university and community benefit.”
Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of growth with balance.
“We are always looking to grow,” he concluded. “However, I’m now looking to grow smarter. I want to make sure we don’t get overextended. I’ve learned that having the largest printing facility doesn’t always create greater revenue.”
To learn how you can learn and grow in one of UWG’s more than 100 academic programs, visit westga.edu.