Holden Bierman, a 19‑year‑old from Holly Springs, North Carolina, launched Coastal Cool on his 13th birthday in August 2020, turning a $500 loan into a business that now claims to have removed plastic equivalent to more than 100,000 bottles from the ocean— a staggering figure that ties the brand’s profit to a tangible environmental impact.
The venture began as a t‑shirt and hoodie line during the early days of Covid‑19, when school closures left Bierman with more time than usual. He taught himself web‑design, supplier sourcing, and order fulfilment through YouTube tutorials and industry podcasts, all while juggling a high‑school schedule that saw him skip lunch‑room gossip for shipping confirmations.
Coastal Cool’s shift to swimwear was strategic: by using recycled polyester from discarded bottles, the company could offer a product that not only appealed to eco‑conscious consumers but also supported plastic‑removal initiatives. Each item sold triggers a partnership with Tidey Ocean, funding the collection of one pound of ocean‑bound plastic, a model that has reportedly cleared more than 100,000 bottles from the sea.
The brand’s on‑demand production means inventory never sits in a warehouse, reducing waste and allowing profits to be reinvested into new designs and expansion plans. Bierman credits this lean model for keeping the company afloat without external investors, though he admits the workload has cost him typical high‑school experiences— missing prom, graduation, and even a few football games.
Looking ahead, Bierman plans to push Coastal Cool into brick‑and‑mortar retail and pursue a business degree, hoping to scale the brand’s environmental impact while maintaining its grassroots ethos. The next milestone: a pilot partnership with a regional department store slated for early 2027, which could bring the bottle‑freed swimwear to a wider audience.