Teen Titan: How 16-Year-Old Entrepreneur Holden Bierman Built Coastal – Coastal Cool

Teen Titan: How 16-Year-Old Holden Bierman Built Coastal Cool

By Ashley Daniels
Originally published January 9, 2024 – Carolina & Kure Beach, Shopping

At just sixteen years old, Holden Bierman is making waves in the world of sustainable fashion. While most teens are focused on their driver’s test, this North Carolina native is busy running his own lifestyle brand — Coastal Cool — inspired by the laid-back beauty of the Carolina coast.

From a Bedroom Dream to a Beachwear Brand

What started as a small T-shirt line during the pandemic has grown into a full-scale lifestyle brand with a mission to protect paradise. “It was at the beginning of COVID, and school was out, and I was at home,” Holden recalls. “I’ve always had that entrepreneurial spirit — from setting up little stores in my bedroom to running yard sales. That’s when I discovered the print-on-demand business.”

With a $500 loan from his parents, Holden registered Coastal Cool and began designing beachwear inspired by his family’s second home in Carolina Beach. That loan has long been repaid — and the brand has since evolved into a collection of sustainable swimwear, cabana shirts, and resort-ready apparel made from recycled plastic bottles and post-consumer fabrics.

Eco-Friendly by Design

Each piece of Coastal Cool apparel is built for performance, comfort, and style. The breathable fabrics feature UPF 50+ sun protection, while tropical prints and soft coastal hues capture the essence of island living. “Everybody goes into business for the money,” Holden says. “But for me, it’s about creating impact — helping clean up the ocean and inspiring other young people means more than any profit ever could.”

Building a Global Brand from a MacBook

Headquartered in Holly Springs, NC, Coastal Cool now ships worldwide with over 100,000 Instagram followers. Orders are printed and fulfilled through a Charlotte-based center, while Holden manages everything — from design and marketing to customer service — right from his MacBook.

Beyond online sales, Coastal Cool has expanded into wholesale partnerships in Florida and made a splash at the Wilmington Boat Show. It’s a movement powered by creativity, community, and conservation — and it’s only just getting started.

Looking Ahead

As Holden prepares for college, his sights are set on the University of North Carolina Wilmington and continuing to grow Coastal Cool’s mission from the coast that started it all. “I just want to keep growing the brand, growing the impact, and creating this go-to beach lifestyle brand,” he says.

From bedroom beginnings to global reach, Holden’s story is proof that passion and purpose can start at any age — and make a real difference in protecting our planet’s paradise.