A P.E.I. T-Shirt company started by high school students has expanded its business into the U.S. and overseas.

Coltin Handrahan, 18, Devin MacGregor and Alex Khan started the Stay Golden T-shirt business a year ago.

The friends got into it accidentally when shirts meant for prizes at a dodgeball tournament didn't arrive at their high school, Colonel Gray, and they decided to create their own shirts to hand out.

"I thought it was just going to be a little pet project, maybe a few months down the road have our laughs about it, but it's turned into something much more," said MacGregor.

Now, after winning a contest for new businesses, they have office space and a professional website.

"It's really allowed for an even playing field for us. It's helped us ship international and grow our brand," said Handrahan.

Although they sell many T-shirts to sports teams and students on the Island, the business is now selling more to Ontario, Alberta, California and Florida.

They even have sales representatives in Miami and Sweden.

But Handrahan wants to stay true to the company's P.E.I. roots.

"Our new motto is P.E.I. born and bred, because what we're trying to do at Stay Golden is market the Prince Edward Island lifestyle all across the world," he said.

Giving back to community

Last month, the company made over $15,000.

Some of the profit goes to help others like the $3,500 they raised for the Tanner Craswell and Mitch McLean scholarship fund at Colonel Gray High School.

"It's been really fulfilling and rewarding because it's allowed us to work for ourselves while helping our community and giving back," said Handrahan, who is now taking marketing and advertising at Holland College.

"It's really developed into a full time job for us. Yesterday we spent the entire day sending out orders."

In next couple of years, Stay Golden would like to have its own retail store.

"That would be something that I'd really be into," said MacGregor.

Locals enjoy sporting the Stay Golden brand.

Joel Arsenault, Three Oaks' athletic director, says he likes being able to put money into a P.E.I. company.

"I think the idea of it's cool and how it came about," said Paige Rankin, who is on the athletics council of Three Oaks Secondary School.

Rachel Murray said: " I feel like everyone kind of knows what they are, so everyone wants one. They're kind of in, I guess."

Meanwhile, Joel Arsenault, Three Oaks' athletic director, said he likes being able to put money back into an original P.E.I. company.

"These guys aren't really too far removed from the high school setting, so it's pretty cool that way to work with some of the young entrepeneurs," said Arsenault.