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At just 18 years old, Holden Bierman is already making waves as the founder and CEO of Coastal Cool, a sustainable swimwear company that's helping clean up the world's oceans, one swimsuit at a time. The North Carolina teen told "Good Morning America" that he launched his first business at the age of 12, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. "I was just bored," he recalled. "I never clicked on the video games, you know, everybody was at home inside, nobody was outside, school was out. So I just started [to] research business ideas." What began as a creative outlet quickly grew into a brand with a purpose. "We just started off selling T-shirts and hoodies," Bierman said, adding that the brand continued to evolve over time. "I want to sell quality," he added. "I want to bring quality to the market." Bierman officially launched Coastal Cool on his 13th birthday in August 2020 with a $500 loan from his parents. "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." He said he learned the ropes by using YouTube tutorials, business podcasts, and online forums, figuring out how to build a website, find suppliers and ship products nationwide. Over the next five years, the company evolved into an online sustainable swimwear line that is both stylish and socially conscious. 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, according to its website. In a statement to ABC News, Jeremy Porter, founder of Tidey Ocean, said working with Bierman has been "truly inspiring," noting that the teen's enthusiasm for both business and environmental impact "sets an example for his entire community." "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," Porter said. "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." Bierman told "GMA" the shift toward sustainability came as he grew and evolved as an entrepreneur. "It is cool to have a business and make some money, especially as a teenager," he said. "But I realized it is even cooler to connect that to something with real purpose." He 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?" That realization led him to partner with manufacturers that recycle plastic bottles and ocean-bound waste into durable polyester fiber. "It ranges from an 88% to 91% recycled polyester with the spandex mix, so that allows the stretch," he said. Running a company as a full-time student has not been easy, Bierman said. He explained that he has had to miss out on the typical high school experiences many of his peers enjoy. "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. "So I think it's an equal balance, you know, work hard and then have a fun life and still incorporate your teenage years." He said that mindset has helped him manage the demands of growing a global brand while finishing high school. Bierman said he has spoken at colleges and schools across North Carolina, inspiring other young people to chase their passions. He credited much of his drive to his parents -- his father, who works in sales, and his mother, a creative children's author and counselor. "So, I think I get my selling personality from him. And I get my creativity side from my mom," he said. "I get an equal mix of selling and then creativity from them." Bierman, who plans to go to college while also bringing Coastal Cool to retail stores, said his advice for young dreamers is to "follow your passion." "You've got one life and I think everybody has a purpose on earth to do something cool," he said. "...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."
