With nothing but a spur-of-the-moment idea, Cole Sweeney, owner and founder of Initiative Clothing Company, came to Wilmington to pursue his dream and start a new life.

Sweeney, 21, grew up on the beaches of the Outer Banks, but after thinking seriously about the future, he decided to move away. So in June 2012, he headed further south to another beach.

“I decided one night to totally uproot my life and move to Wilmington to finish my education and to start a clothing company,” Sweeny said.

According to the Initiative Co. website, before he came up with the company name, “The phrase ‘Fed Up Kids’ was coined from (Sweeny’s) feelings towards the ‘norms’ surrounding everyday life…”

“The name basically came from a variety of things going on in my life,” Sweeny said. “So instead of whining, I made a change.”

This motto seems to be the driving force of Sweeny’s Initiative.

“Initiative Co. plans to spread and reach out to all the fed up kids,” the Company page states.

The “Fed Up Kids” mantra combines a positive outlook on life with the power of education and the will to do better.

On one inspired night at home, Sweeney applied to Cape Fear Community College and decided to take the initiative to start his own business—hence the name of his clothing company. 

“I realized that night that if I stood behind this [going to college] and pushed it with everything I had, I could be successful—thus, the birth of the Initiative Clothing Company,” Sweeney said. “I took the ‘initiative’ to move forward and out of my comfort zone.”

Initiative Clothing Company sells fashionably comfortable cotton products made entirely in the United States. Initiative also sells custom hats made of suede and a variety of other fabrics.

“My best-selling product is typically my t-shirts, since they are priced at a lower rate than other items, but my five-panel hats are probably the most demanding,” Sweeney said.

Although Initiative gives off a skater-hipster feel, it appeals to a female audience as well.

“I really like the Initiative logo crop top,” said UNC Wilmington student Hannah Edwardson. “It’s cute, looks comfortable and can pretty much go with any outfit.”

Sweeney is currently finishing up his associate degree in business at CFCC and plans on attending UNCW as soon as he graduates.

In order to promote his company, Sweeney has been talking to some skate shops closer to his hometown, including Moms Sweet Shop and 158 Skate Shop on the Outer Banks and the Skate Supply Shop in Chesapeake, Va.

He will also be touring with his hardcore band, Revenant, and selling his clothes across the coast. 

In 10 years, Sweeney hopes to have a local storefront, but for now, he will continue to sell his merchandise online.