Rob Starkman had a vision that stretched far beyond his sock drawer: he dreamed of athletes everywhere sporting his socks. These weren’t just any socks; they were the innovative creations of Rock ‘Em Apparel, the company he ingeniously launched from his University of Central Florida (UCF) apartment. Starting just four years prior to this story, Starkman’s venture quickly transcended humble beginnings, blossoming into a business that boasted over $1 million in revenue for two consecutive years and provided opportunities for fellow UCF alumni and students. Rock ‘Em Apparel recently unveiled its exclusive product line for UCF Knights fans, alongside dedicated collections for Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles enthusiasts, signaling significant growth and market penetration. “We’ve been incredibly fortunate to experience such rapid and substantial growth,” shared the ambitious 25-year-old, addressing aspiring entrepreneurs at the Blackstone LaunchPad within the Student Union.
Rob Starkman
Rock ‘Em Apparel Founder Rob Starkman Shares His Entrepreneurial Journey at UCF LaunchPad.
Starkman’s entrepreneurial journey wasn’t initially planned. His role as student manager for the UCF men’s basketball team for four years set the stage. Initially, Adidas held the apparel contract for UCF athletics. However, this changed in 2009 when player Marcus Jordan famously wore Nike shoes, his father Michael Jordan’s brand, on the court. UCF subsequently partnered with Nike. While the team donned Nike gear, Starkman felt their standard black-and-white socks lacked the vibrant spirit of the Knights. Driven by team pride, he purchased fabric dye and transformed the Nike socks into black and gold, reflecting UCF’s colors.
The basketball players immediately embraced these custom socks, and fans soon took notice. Recognizing the demand, Starkman, then a communications student, listed some of these unique socks on eBay. They were quickly purchased, revealing a market eager for spirited sports apparel socks. “Starting a company wasn’t my initial intention,” Starkman explained. “It arose from a need within my position with the basketball team.” This organic beginning underscores the authenticity and passion fueling Rock ‘Em Apparel’s success in the competitive sports apparel market, particularly within the niche of custom-designed socks.
Rock ‘Em Apparel has now expanded to a team of seven, not including Starkman. Among them are four UCF alumni – Austin Crane, Josh Netterstrom, Mike Pacini, and Steve Rollins, all from the 2013 graduating class – and two current UCF students, Colin Cleven and Justus Griffith, further embedding the company within the university community. Based near the Mall at Millenia, the company specializes in socks, employing a proprietary dyeing process that allows for the creation of sharp, intricate designs directly onto the fabric. While expanding into broader apparel lines, Rock ‘Em Apparel remains deeply rooted in its innovative sock designs, ensuring quality and unique style in every pair of Rock Em Apparel Socks.
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Rock ‘Em Apparel Team Showcases their Custom Designed Socks and Expanding Apparel Line.
Rock ‘Em Apparel has cultivated a substantial following, boasting an impressive social media presence exceeding 600,000. The company’s portfolio includes custom sock projects for major brands like ESPN, Red Bull, and Champs Sports, as well as collaborations with professional, collegiate, and school teams. Notably, they produced the NBA Championship socks for the Golden State Warriors, a testament to their quality and design capabilities in high-stakes sports environments. Beyond their thriving online store, Rock ‘Em socks are available in the Orlando Magic team store and at memorabilia stores like Gator, Seminole, and Knight Fever in College Park. Starkman is actively engaged in discussions with national retailers, aiming for further expansion of rock em apparel socks into wider markets. This ambition extends to athletic fields as well. “Ten years from now, I envision every piece of clothing worn by UCF athletes being Rock ‘Em Apparel,” Starkman stated, highlighting his long-term vision and commitment to his alma mater and the broader sports apparel industry, always with a focus on delivering top-tier, spirit-filled rock em apparel socks.
