From the White House to the North Pole: N.S. entrepreneur reflects on his success
Nine years ago, a marketing student at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., got a small loan from his dad to design and create hoodies for a class project.
Today, that same student has since created a company that carries one of the most recognized brands and businesses in Nova Scotia.
This June, Alex MacLean, founder and CEO of East Coast Lifestyle, says the company will break ground on a new headquarters in Bayers Lake, N.S., which will house offices, a warehouse, a storefront, and a coffee shop.
“We’ve been renting for nine years down at the (Halifax) Sea Port where I am today, and it feels amazing to get to the next step and to be able to build our own building,” said MacLean.
He says most people don’t know his initial goal for the company was to get a good grade in a business class.
“Get 30 hoodies sold,” said MacLean. “It really became my full-time career immediately out of that classroom.”
“That was one of my only A's I ever got in my whole university career.”
After school, MacLean posed a question to his customers: Where do you rep East Coast Lifestyle?
He says it started a movement of people posting pictures of themselves online wearing his clothing around the world.
“The brand has been to almost every country now. It’s been across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America, even the North Pole and the South Pole.”
Since then, the brand has expanded beyond clothing, with a line of alcoholic drinks, potato chips, and a partnership with hockey equipment brand Bauer.
“But we’re still mainly focused on clothing,” said MacLean. “We have a new summer collection around the corner. We’re working hard to keep people on their toes.”
When he looks back at the better part of a decade, MacLean says meeting President Obama at the White House is what stands out the most.
“I was able to go down there with 30 entrepreneurs, as the only Canadian,” said MacLean. “It was really just a moment that blew me away.”
Maclean says East Coast Lifestyle is also set to open a store in Saint John, N.B., next month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.