For Holden Bierman, a family trip to Hawaii became a turning point in his life. At just nine years old, Holden Bierman experienced more than a vacation. And when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the world slowed down and a new opportunity emerged. At 12, Holden Bierman officially launched Coastal Cool on his 13th birthday in August 2020 with a $500 loan from his parents. With a sketchpad, $500, and a clear vision, he began creating simple pieces out of his bedroom. Starting with tee shirts and hoodies shared among friends, what began as a creative outlet quickly evolved into something more.
What started as a small clothing business during the pandemic soon evolved into a full-fledged brand 'Coastal Cool', a sustainable beachwear company that says its products have helped fund efforts to remove plastic equivalent to more than 100,000 bottles from the ocean.
How did Holden Bierman's journey begin?
A native of Holly Springs, North Carolina, the 19-year-old entrepreneur, started his journey by selling T-shirts and hoodies. Later on, he shifted to swimwear made from recycled materials. Bierman launched his first business during the early days of the pandemic, when school closures left him looking for ways to spend his time.
“I was just bored,” Bierman told Good Morning America. “Everybody was at home inside, nobody was outside, school was out. So I just started [to] research business ideas.” His interest soon developed into a business. What began as an apparel brand was becoming something more focused: a beachwear brand built to enjoy the coast while helping protect it, his website Coastal Cool describes.
"We just started off selling T-shirts and hoodies," Bierman was quoted as saying by ABC News, adding that the brand continued to evolve over time. "I want to sell quality," he added. "I want to bring quality to the market."
How Holden Bierman build his business
Holden Bierman gave a simple presentation for his parents, outlining how he intended to use the $500 loan. He then learned the basics of running an online business through YouTube tutorials, business podcasts and online forums. He taught himself how to create a website, find suppliers and ship orders to customers. The business initially sold casual clothing before he shifted his focus to swimwear.
Speaking to The US Sun, Bierman said his interest in creating and selling products began at an early age. He also credited his parents for shaping his business skills, with his father’s experience in sales and his mother’s creative background influencing his approach. “My dad gave me the business side, and my mom gave me the creative side,” he said.
"I remember going in with them to get the LLC started around July of 2020," he said. "I even made a Google Slides presentation laying out exactly what I needed the money for -- the LLC legal fees, the website subscription since I built it completely from scratch -- and some sample shirts to get the business off the ground." Over the next five years, the company evolved into an online sustainable swimwear line that is both stylish and socially conscious.
How Coastal Cool removed plastic waste?
According to the company's website, each swimsuit is made from recycled materials that would otherwise pollute the ocean. The company also partners with Tidey Ocean, a nonprofit that collects harmful plastics while providing fair-pay jobs in developing countries most affected by the ocean plastic crisis.
A native of Holly Springs, North Carolina, the 19-year-old entrepreneur, started his journey by selling T-shirts and hoodies.
"Our One Pound Promise means every Coastal Cool purchase helps remove one pound of plastic waste before it reaches the ocean. In partnership with Tidey, we support coastal communities that exchange collected plastic for essentials, turning pollution into opportunity and protecting paradise one pound at a time," the website states.
In a statement to ABC News, Jeremy Porter, founder of Tidey Ocean, said, ""Through our One Pound Promise partnership with Coastal Cool, each product sold helps fund the collection and recycling of one pound of ocean-bound plastic." "Their support has helped us expand our cleanups, create local jobs, and turn plastic waste into opportunity. It's been a pleasure collaborating with such a thoughtful and motivated partner."
Holden Bierman said he began researching eco-friendly materials and production methods, eventually finding suppliers who could transform discarded plastic into swimwear fabric. "Being an entrepreneur is not just about creating a product, it is about building a community of people who believe in what you are building," Bierman explained. "You can buy swimsuits anywhere, at your local beach store or online, but what brand is able to remove a pound of plastic on top of offering sustainable swimwear?"
According to the company's website, each swimsuit is made from recycled materials that would otherwise pollute the ocean.
How he balances life
Balancing a business with full-time high school studies has not been easy for Bierman. He said running the company meant missing out on some of the social activities his classmates enjoyed, including school dances, football games and other events.
“I missed out on going to dances and football games and social events, but then I've been able to do awesome things and connect with awesome people,” he said. He added that finding a balance between work and enjoying life has helped him make the most of his teenage years while building his business.
The company also partners with Tidey Ocean, a nonprofit that collects harmful plastics while providing fair-pay jobs in developing countries most affected by the ocean plastic crisis.
Bierman plans to attend college while expanding Coastal Cool into retail stores. His advice to other young people hoping to start a business is to follow their interests and be willing to take risks.
“You've got one life and I think everybody has a purpose on earth to do something cool,” he said, encouraging young entrepreneurs to try new things and learn from setbacks. “So take the risk, try. You have so much time to recover if something goes wrong, but just follow your passion, and connect the dots, and see what happens from it.”