Originally from Australia, Ella Wilson (St 2020-22) came to Rugby School in search of new experiences and opportunities. Today, she is the founder of EBV London, a luxury goods business that combines her passion for fashion, entrepreneurship and creative marketing.

Working with suppliers, corporate partners and B2B wholesale networks, while also curating digital content and collaborating with influencers, Ella has built a business that reflects both her ambition and adaptability. Having overcome significant health challenges along the way, she shares her experiences of entrepreneurship, resilience and the lasting influence of her time at Rugby School.

Could you tell us a little about yourself, including what you're doing now, and how you came to found your business, EBV London?

I was a Rugby student from 2020-22 in Stanley house. Having grown up in Australia, going to one of the oldest boarding schools in the UK ticked a childhood bucket list goal as an avid Enid Blyton reader as a kid (where traditional boarding schools were common settings for her books!).

After leaving Rugby, I completed an art foundation with the intention to move into a career in fashion and design but realised after the year, I missed using the academic side of my brain and my love of challenging learning so decided to pursue a BA at UCL in history of art.

However, in 2024, health issues that had been bubbling for a few years came to a head and I was forced to drop out of UCL just after my first year. The following 16 months were incredibly challenging; I didn’t know where my life/ career was headed and my health issues hadn’t yet been identified. Towards the end of 2025, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune in combination with a variety of other chronic illnesses. While being hospitalised for various blood transfusions and IV treatments, I started to dive deep into the idea of business, I completed entrepreneurial marketing Harvard business school and LSE MBA essentials short courses online where I noticed my interests lay.  

I also since realised the realities of my condition mean I can’t work a 9-5, so I made the decision to create my own work that I could put all the hours I have to offer into it (but maybe don’t fit 9-5 working!). I started with reselling vintage before moving into higher end luxury goods (so ultimately coming back to my love for fashion too).

What do you enjoy most about running your own business?

I have greatly enjoyed the steep learning curve that every step of the journey so far has been. Being able to have an idea and actually execute upon it and see the results of bringing people together whether that is for contract work, creative collaboration, developers and securing supplier connections has been exciting. Having the freedom and responsibility to constantly explore different ways to meet a challenge, grow and iterate has been an incredible opportunity.

What has been the biggest challenge in building EBV London, and how have you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was coming to the realisation of the ‘limitations’ my condition places on me and that if I wanted to achieve my version of success, it would have to be off my own back. Taking and using seed capital to start a business feels incredibly real and the weight of my input directly reflecting output felt daunting. That said, withdrawing from university and putting money into my own venture solidified the course and removed alternative options, meaning I couldn’t dip a toe in, instead I had to jump all in if I want to build something that will actually work.

What does a typical day look like for you?

As a start-up, my time is still spent jumping to and from different tasks! I work 7 days a week, iterating on current projects, looking at ways to employ and execute upon new ideas, constantly learning, touching base with various contacts, contractors and people within my network.

What are your plans for the future, both personally and for the business?

My plans for the future are going full throttle for my business and loving the work, the challenges, obstacles and constant learning and purpose this has given me. Personally, I am still riding the waves of medical treatments, learning where I can gain back life from my condition and hope that a level of recovery/ illness management can be achieved through supporting my body with consistent treatment, diet, lifestyle, stress, exercise and recovery.

While you were at Rugby School, were there any teachers or members of staff who had a lasting impact on you? What are some of your favourite memories of your time here?

My business teacher Miss Burrows was an incredible teacher, as well as Ms Thompson and Ms Phillips whom both brought such great energy and enthusiasm to art and textiles! Honestly the entire experience, I am so incredibly grateful for – the teachers we had access to, the comradery and community in house, the facilities, societies and sports (brought out an entire love for exercise and I have since trained as a Pilates instructor!).

Looking back, are there any experiences at Rugby School that helped prepare you for running a business?

Going to Rugby from a small all-girls school and before that living in Australia, meant Rugby was a massive change in environment, people and experiences. Honestly taking what felt like a large jump and going all in (just making the absolute most of my time and education), is a trait I have brought to my work.

What advice would you give to students currently at Rugby School, particularly those interested in entrepreneurship or a similar industry?

If you have an itch to do something, don’t let it simmer as an idea - act on it, take the opportunities, actions, accept and relish the challenge and risks (use them as an opportunity to grow and learn) and invest in the most valuable asset you have: yourself and your skillset.  

Follow EVB on Instagram (@evblondon) and website here.