The Tinsley Team Standout Students of the Month: Drew Donegan, Troy Fredrickson, Jack Roycroft

Student-Athlete-Entrepreneurs: The perfect phrase to describe Westwood High School Class of 2025 members Drew Donegan, Troy Fredrickson, and Jack Roycroft.
 

In January 2024, with a break between fall and spring sports, the trio found themselves with quite a bit of free time and the desire to make a little extra cash. The idea of starting a business together was proposed one Saturday afternoon and the boys delved into a brainstorming session at the library, eventually settling on flat-brim baseball hats as the flagship product for their company, Coastal Creations.
 

The name Coastal Creations reflects the group’s shared love for the beach and their wish to capture a coastal vibe through their brand. Coastal Creations officially launched on March 1. Reminiscing about the first successful drop, the team shared that the merchandise quickly sold out.
 

The road to success wasn’t without a few bumps. Navigating the intricacies of production, from ordering inventory to designing a logo, tested their patience and organizational skills. Balancing academics, sports, and their budding business posed its own set of challenges, yet the trio found solace in their camaraderie and shared vision.
 
“We’re all very close friends,” noted Troy, emphasizing the importance of trust and communication in their dynamic.
 

From late-night FaceTime calls to equally juggling responsibilities amidst hectic schedules, their entrepreneurial spirit grew stronger. The boys were nurtured not just by ambition, but also by the supportive academic environment at Westwood High. Market Dynamics exposed them to the fundamentals of starting a business, including how to utilize spreadsheets to stay organized.
 

Their customer base, predominantly local at first, gradually expanded beyond the confines of Westwood. Word-of-mouth and social media played pivotal roles in their growth, with satisfied customers becoming brand ambassadors in their own right. A friend would buy a hat for their cousin, who would then wear it to school, and then their friends would want to buy hats too – supply and demand. To date, Coastal Creations has shipped product to New Hampshire and Maine, along with local deliveries to other towns in Norfolk County, such as Norwood and Medfield.
 

Looking ahead, the boys have plans to introduce fresh designs and expand the product line to tee-shirts and sweatshirts. The goal is to cater to a broader audience while staying true to their coastal-inspired vibes as the temperatures continue to rise.
 
“Summer is prime hat weather,” Jack quipped, highlighting their readiness to capitalize on the demand for their products during the warmer months.
 

As our conversation drew to a close, one thing became abundantly clear: Drew, Troy, and Jack exemplify a generation of young creative minds inspired to start their own business.
 
“I think it’s a feeling of, ‘Hey, that could be me. I can do that because I see someone else my age doing it.’ It’s the power of social media, sharing entrepreneurial success stories across the country,” shared Troy.
 
To learn more about the Coastal Creations crew, visit www.coastalcreations.info or follow them on Instagram @coastalcreationscorporations