san antonio – From foster care to entrepreneur to artist to influencer, Philip Hodge is working hard to make a name for himself. Now, major hotels in San Antonio are attracting attention.
Hodge, also known by his rapper name Sagizzle, grew up in San Antonio. In 2021, he launched a water company, Sagizzle Appalachian Mountain Spring Water.
Part of the reason, Hodge said, was because he wanted to help young people make better health choices. “If you look at our bottles, they're very colorful. And, you know, we have a lot of soda and juice. That's how we attract kids. So I did something like that, I wanted to be able to say, “Well, if you can use color to attract them and get them to drink something unhealthy, let's use color to attract them and then get them to drink something healthy.”
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk has partnered with Hodge as part of its goal to support small businesses and nonprofits. Sagizzle water will be available at the hotel, the statement said.
“Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk is committed to caring for people so they can perform at their best, and that extends to caring for our local communities. We are committed to supporting local small businesses and nonprofits. We have several related partnerships and programs in place.”
Recently, the hotel partnered with San Antonio-based water company Sagizzle to offer spring water from the Appalachian Mountains in aluminum bottles. Water bottles help keep water cold and are more environmentally friendly than plastic bottles.
Thuggizzle was created by local rapper, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Philip Hodge (aka Thuggizzle) to encourage young adults to ditch sugary drinks and choose healthier drinks. Hodge is also the founder of the Thuggizzle Cares Organization, which runs several community-centered initiatives, from children's reading programs to veterans support programs.
The hotel will offer Thuggizzle water bottles with an on-site marketplace offering grab-and-go food options. VIP guests will also be provided with Sagizzle bottles.
In addition to its partnership with Thuggizzle, the hotel supports local minority-owned businesses. The Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk, in conjunction with the Grand Hyatt San Antonio RiverWalk and the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association, hosts the annual “Change Starts Here” Vendor Expo. The event supports and highlights local minority-owned businesses, from whiskey companies to brand agencies.
At age 9, Hodge and his brother entered the foster care system. He says his personal story and his mentors shaped his motivation to reach for the stars.
“It goes beyond the challenge and motivates others to never give up, because who would have thought that Sagizuru Spring Water would be in a Hyatt hotel?” Hodge said.
Hodge also started Thuggizzle Cares, a nonprofit organization aimed at assisting families with parenting classes and case management.
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