Caroline Driscoll ’27 on Inspiration, Determination, and Shea Center Competitions

When Caroline Driscoll, MCAS ’27, was growing up, she had serious allergies that meant carrying medications with her at all times. But she couldn’t find a bag that gave her the peace of mind they were secure. So, she created one. 

The result is Flobag, an innovation in waterproof, floatable bags for which Driscoll took first place in both the 2024 Elevator Pitch Competition and the Strakosch Venture Competition. 

How did Driscoll find her flow as an entrepreneur and go on to ace our toughest pitch competitions in her freshman year? Was it ingenuity? A flair for storytelling? Or sheer determination and a shark mentality? Yes, yes, and yes. 

We chatted with the Shea Center regular and communications/economics double major to find out what drives her to succeed as an inventor, entrepreneur, marathon runner, and BC student. Her answers revealed a young woman with an unsinkable spirit of adventure. 

Like many people the world over, you suffer from serious allergies and require expensive medication to treat them. But you weren’t about to let that hold you back. So, you created Flobag, a waterproof, floatable, and trackable bag to hold your medication. Can you talk about the inspiration behind it? 

Driscoll: As a runner and student on the Boston College campus, there are numerous moving parts to my everyday life, including the fact that I suffer from many common yet serious allergies. Being able to secure my belongings in a specific and safe place is necessary for me to be able to live my busy life without worries. Additionally, I grew up in a family where almost every member is allergic to something. 

Where do you see the application of Flobag once you take it to market? 

Driscoll: With over 2.2 billion people in the global population suffering from allergy problems, I knew this bag was needed for people beyond myself and my family. I created Flobag as the solution to securing medications, technologies, and necessities in one place, giving people 100% reassurance that their everyday essentials are secure, dry, and with them at all times. As a person involved with many watersports and outdoor activities, it’s very important to me to never feel limited by the restrictions and baggage of dealing with allergies. Flobag provides me and others the security to be limitless.  

You won both the Elevator Pitch Competition and the Strakosch Venture Competition – that’s a big deal! What gave you an edge over other competitors? 

Driscoll: Competing in both the Elevator Pitch Competition and Strakosch Venture Competition changed my Boston College experience. Being able to learn from my fellow entrepreneurs, classmates, and Shea Center members, I was motivated to make Flobag successful through the center’s various programs, which taught me how to create, pitch, and sell a successful product for all. As for these competitions, I really made sure to emphasize my story and who I was. Although I struggle with allergies, I never wanted that to be a barrier for me to engage in life’s various adventures. Being able to have Flobag’s security allows people to embark on all of life’s adventures without worry of leaving necessities and medications behind.

What was some of the best feedback you got from those competitions?  

Driscoll: The best advice I received from venture capitalists, investors, and mentors in my entrepreneurship programs was to “Be a shark.” Sharks are powerful apex predators, known for their ability to dominate the ocean by staying calm, operating from below the surface, and making each move with precision and intent. I take this mindset to heart in my work as an entrepreneur, striving to work diligently behind the scenes while remaining focused on achieving success. 

Do you have a prototype yet and, what does Flobag look like? 

Driscoll: The first prototype of Flobag is completely waterproof, durable, and a product that can last for generations. Unlike some of our competitors within the waterproof bag industry, Flobag is 100% stylish, customizable, and adaptable to everyone's daily life and commitments. Coming in different models, such as the backpack or fanny pack, Flobag is the perfect flexible option to secure your belongings while also being customizable and stylish. 

Tell us about the pivotal moments in your academic career path. 

Driscoll: As a communications major, storytelling is my core strength and a driving force behind my success with Flobag. I harness the power of storytelling—both spoken and written – during pitches and investor conversations, where authenticity is key. I believe that true success is rooted in the ability to connect with others on a personal level. By sharing compelling stories and communicating with sincerity, I build authentic relationships that foster trust and inspire others to fight for my vision. 

Did you have any mentors or professors who had a profound impact on your choices and experiences?  

In my experience, it’s not just about what you do, it's about how you connect and create meaningful bonds that lead to long-lasting success. One of my mentors in entrepreneurship, Peter Bell, once told me, “Determination, hard work, and resilience are the keys to success and meaning.” His words have stuck with me, motivating me both personally and professionally. 

How has your participation in the Shea Center shaped your career interests and prepared you for life after BC? 

Driscoll: The Shea Center is family. It fosters young, curious minds from all walks of life and creates a sense of community and education that flourishes throughout our programs. The Shea Center has been my biggest blessing here at BC, and it has granted me endless opportunities in the startup and entrepreneurial fields. I’m so excited to continue a career in the startup and venture capital fields, and I attribute this love to how the Shea Center prepared me not only for the career world but also as a person.  

What’s special about Boston College, and what advice do you have for BC students interested in becoming entrepreneurs? 

Driscoll: Boston College is a place that fosters endless love, curiosity, and kindness, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate how lucky and blessed I am to attend such a wonderful and impactful institution. For those interested in becoming entrepreneurs at BC, the best advice I have is to join Start@Shea. There are endless programs, conferences, guest speakers, and friendly faces that allow you to connect and flourish as a professional, but most importantly as a person. The Shea Center provides a home for innovation, creation, and connection and allows anyone to become an entrepreneur simply by making ideas happen.