Syracuse Sun

Jack Wren, a student at Syracuse University, is balancing academics, athletics, and entrepreneurship. He is pursuing a dual degree in finance and business analytics from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management while playing for the university's club men's ice hockey team. Additionally, he has launched his own hat company, Happy Duck Co.

Wren's entrepreneurial journey began early. At age five, he was already selling seed packets to neighbors in Saratoga, New York. His current venture, Happy Duck Co., emerged from his passion for athletics and hats after completing externships with BNY Mellon and Fenimore Asset Management.

“I’ve always had entrepreneurial endeavors and aspirations," Wren stated. "This summer... I realized I wanted to launch a company based on something I’m passionate about." The brand name was inspired by his childhood nickname given by his mother: “When I was little... my mom used to tell me that I would quack a lot and she would call me a happy duck.”

Wren has developed Happy Duck Co. into an LLC, designed its website, crafted a social media strategy, hired employees, and secured a personal loan for startup costs. He is working with Rachel Duffy from the Office of Trademark Licensing on an official licensing agreement with Syracuse University.

The company's focus is on being an athletic brand. “I’ve brought on former Syracuse University student-athletes to help run social media... Our goal is to get people to see themselves wearing our brand,” Wren explained.

In addition to his business pursuits, Wren remains active on campus as part of the club men's ice hockey team and other organizations like Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries and Delta Sigma Pi fraternity.

Reflecting on his choice of university, Wren said: "I knew the Whitman School was ranked as one of the best business schools in the country... After seeing everything in person... I knew that Syracuse was home for me."

His experience with the club hockey team has been intense yet rewarding: “People often hear club sports... But club hockey is intense.” He recalled playing against Liberty University in front of 6,000-plus people as a favorite memory.

Looking ahead, Wren aims to become a stock trader post-graduation but remains open to new opportunities: “My whole reason for starting Happy Duck was to understand how to start and grow a company.” His ultimate goal includes running his own finance company while expanding Happy Duck Co.