Lacrosse 'Stick Doctor' Catches Big Business with Help from Baltimore County

TOWSON, MD — Greg Kenneally turned his knack for repairing lacrosse sticks into a business that is booming now in Towson, with an added boost from Baltimore County.

Kenneally was known as the "stick doctor," the person teammates would turn to when their equipment needed a fix, during his undergraduate career playing lacrosse at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

In 2011 when he graduated, he started making his own wax mesh material. Unlike what was currently on the market, it didn't need to be broken in, was waterproof and could be dyed various colors. He sold it on eBay.

As orders began coming in, Kenneally brought his roommates and brother into the fold to help fulfill requests for the business, which he called East Coast Dyes.

He went to grad school at night at Towson University, where he received his master's in accounting in 2013; that year, the business moved into a 2,000-square-foot location in Lutherville, but more room was needed.

After Kenneally received a loan from the Baltimore County Boost Fund — which provides flexible financing for small businesses — East Coast Dyes moved into a 9,000-square-foot space in Towson, where it is today.

"It's really helped our company stabilize and helped us grow," said Mike Kenneally, vice president of East Coast Dyes, who is also Greg's brother, of the loan. Money for the Baltimore County Boost Fund comes from revenue generated through Maryland lottery terminals and loans can be from $50,000 to $250,000.

Maintaining working capital was challenging with a "long cash conversion cycle," Mike Kenneally explained, noting it could be 200 days until money started coming back after an investment was made into inventory, so the loan was critical.

Currently, East Coast Dyes has 25 workers who make products sold to major sports retailers around the world, and the company plans to expand, according to Baltimore County government.

The products are currently in 500 Dick's sporting goods stores and other locations around the country, according to Mike Kenneally.

East Coast Dyes is at 8745 Mylander Lane in Towson.

See Also:

• Pro Lacrosse Players Launch Ball Over Inner Harbor: VIDEO
• U.S. Lacrosse Celebrates Grand Opening in Baltimore County
• Pro Lacrosse Player Helps Keep Athletes from Smelling

Still of Mike Kenneally (standing) and Greg Kenneally (sitting) from video by Baltimore County Government via YouTube.