Harriet Noy, a 26-year-old entrepreneur, has successfully turned her passion for sustainable fashion into a thriving business with annual revenues of £120,000. As the founder and CEO of Hazaar, a secondhand clothing platform for students, Noy aims to make sustainable shopping both accessible and affordable.
While studying at the University of Birmingham, Noy identified a significant gap in the market for sustainable fashion among students. Recognizing her peers’ tendency to purchase cheap, single-use clothing items, particularly for events like fancy dress parties, she sought a solution to reduce waste. “I started Hazaar because I noticed all of my friends were always Amazon Priming fancy dress costumes every single week,” Noy explained. Her vision was to create campus-based marketplaces that would eliminate postage costs by facilitating local exchanges among students.
Noy initially launched her concept using Facebook groups, quickly attracting 20,000 students through marketing efforts around campus. This grassroots approach laid the foundation for what would become a significant business opportunity. After graduating, she developed an app that included features like carbon reporting data, which universities could purchase for their students. This innovative model allowed students to use the app at no cost, as their institutions covered the membership fees.
The app’s launch aimed to encourage students to think critically about their purchasing habits. “The key thing for me is making the sustainable option the cheapest, the most affordable, the most desirable,” Noy stated. Through interviews, she discovered that many students opted for brands like Shein primarily due to their lower prices. With this insight, she focused on creating a platform that would offer a better, more sustainable alternative.
Despite generating over £120,000 in revenue, Noy faced challenges in scaling her business as universities tightened their budgets. However, a shift occurred when brands began approaching her with excess stock they wanted to sell to students at reduced prices. This prompted Noy to remodel Hazaar, maintaining its core function of peer-to-peer clothing resale while integrating brand partnerships.
The new feature, which launched last month, allows students to purchase surplus items from various fashion companies at significantly lower prices. “The price point will be a lot lower than anywhere else, and students have to verify their status to be able to purchase it,” Noy explained. This initiative helps divert clothing that might otherwise end up in landfills, making it a valuable resource for both students and brands.
As the secondhand market continues to gain traction, Noy believes that Hazaar occupies an exciting niche. She emphasizes the importance of making sustainable choices accessible, particularly for students who may struggle to afford higher-end sustainable brands. “I want to prevent stock from going to waste,” she added.
Throughout her journey, Noy has gained valuable insights as a young business owner. Networking has been essential, as she often reaches out to experienced entrepreneurs for guidance. She has learned to prioritize revenue over chasing investments, noting that early investments can sometimes distract from understanding whether a business model is effective.
Looking ahead, Noy envisions Hazaar becoming the go-to platform for brands aiming to connect with students. Her goal is to create a reliable and affordable community for those interested in sustainable fashion. As she continues to innovate and adapt, Noy is determined to make a lasting impact in the fashion industry.
