Zach Will
Zach Will is the Founder & CEO of Kona Brand, an apparel company that creates fun winter flannels by blending traditional flannel with Hawaiian Aloha shirt flair. A UConn management and entrepreneurship major, he started the brand as a class project.
Zach Will's Bio
Zach Will is the Founder & CEO of Kona Brand, an apparel company that creates fun winter flannels by blending traditional flannel with Hawaiian Aloha shirt flair. The brand donates 1% of every purchase to help rescue dogs find homes, showing Will's dedication to social causes.
A Marshfield native, Will grew up in an entrepreneurial household and started his first clothing company in junior year of high school. That early venture taught him product development, sourcing, and direct-to-consumer sales—skills he'd later apply to Kona Brand.
Will attended the University of Connecticut as a management and entrepreneurship major. He formally launched Kona Brand during a class project at UConn, naming the company after his rescue dog, Kona. The concept combined flannel warmth with Hawaiian shirt flair, creating a distinctive year-round garment.
After graduation, Will moved to Greater Boston and focused on scaling Kona Brand full-time. The company gained visibility through CBS Boston features and built a loyal following via social media and word-of-mouth. Under his leadership, Kona Brand expanded its patterns and distribution, growing from a class project into a sustainable small business.
Today, Will continues to run Kona Brand while exploring new apparel and e-commerce opportunities. He remains actively involved in product design and brand storytelling, often sharing the company's mission and his entrepreneurial journey with audiences online and in person.
Career Timeline
2015 — Started first clothing company at Early clothing venture
Founded first apparel venture while in high school, learning product development and direct-to-consumer sales.
2016 — DECA Districts & States Qualifier
Qualified for DECA state competition three consecutive years (2016, 2017, 2018), demonstrating early business acumen.
2017 — DECA Districts & States Qualifier
Continued DECA competition success, building marketing and entrepreneurship skills.
2018 — DECA Districts & States Qualifier
Final DECA qualification, completing four-year competitive business education run.
2019 — University of Connecticut enrollment
Began studies at UConn School of Business as a management and entrepreneurship major.
2019 — Get Seeded Pitch Competition Winner at UConn CCEI
Won UConn CCEI Get Seeded pitch competition, securing early funding and validation for business ideas.
2020 — UConn CCEI Summer Fellowship & Grant
Awarded summer fellowship and grant from UConn's Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
2020 — Global Student Entrepreneurship Award at Entrepreneurs Organization
Received Entrepreneurs Organization Boston Chapter Global Student Entrepreneurship Award.
2020 — Kona Brand founded as class project
Formally launched Kona Brand during a UConn business class project, combining flannel with Hawaiian Aloha shirt design.
2023 — UConn graduation
Graduated from University of Connecticut School of Business with a degree in management and entrepreneurship.
