Meet Ethan Eriksen: 16-year-old built snow pants brand, won $5,000 prize

Most teenagers who cannot find the clothing they want simply give up and buy something else. Ethan Eriksen, a sixteen-year-old junior at Barron High School in Wisconsin, chose a different route. Unable to find high-quality ski pants covered in flames, he made his own and launched Shredrz Attire. Months later, he stood before a panel of prominent business leaders in Milwaukee and won the state's Young Entrepreneur of the Year title, taking home a $5,000 prize. His story shows how a simple frustration, persistence, and a supportive community can turn a teenage idea into a genuine business.How a missing pair of flame ski pants inspired Shredrz AttireEthan Eriksen has been skiing since the age of nine, so he knew exactly what he wanted from a pair of ski pants, genuine quality and a bold flame design. When he could not find them, he decided in 2025 to create them himself. Having started his first business while still in primary school, he said he had noticed a gap in the market and believed he could fill it. He worked with overseas clothing designers through several versions before settling on custom ski and winter recreation apparel that he describes as both functional and stylish. Th...