A woman who purchased a coat for £10 and sold it for £115 says the experience inspired her to become a full-time reseller, now earning up to £1,000 a month. Hannah Divine, 26, from Berkshire, found conventional employment challenging due to autism and ADHD, prompting her to seek alternative income sources.
She took a “leap of faith” into buying and selling vintage fashion online. Within months, her gamble paid off significantly. She bought a vintage Ralph Lauren denim jacket for £10 and sold it for £115. “I wanted to make money from the comfort of my own home,” Hannah said. “I was determined to make a profit – and thankfully, I did.”
From Side Project to Full-Time Career
Hannah now sells on Vinted under the name ‘afghan_aura’, earning £2,351 in just over six months. On average, she makes between £500 and £1,000 per month, matching her previous part-time job income. Previously, she struggled with traditional 9-5 jobs, describing retail as “very stressful” and incompatible with her “neurodivergent ways.” She sought a career offering flexibility, independence, and control over her schedule.
A longtime vintage fashion enthusiast, she realized her eye for unique pieces could become a business. With no guarantee of success, she invested £800 in stock, sourcing items through online vintage wholesale platform Fleek. What began as a small project quickly grew; within months, she was making regular sales and selling multiple items daily.
Specializing in Vintage Coats
Hannah now specializes in vintage coats, focusing on pieces she genuinely loves. Alongside the Ralph Lauren jacket, a standout deal was a vintage men’s Timberland jacket bought for £14 and sold for £120. “I do a lot of price research, type in the brand names and see what pops up on eBay, Depop, Vinted and other selling platforms for profit. Making nearly 10x profit per item is amazing,” she said.
Working entirely on her own terms is a major benefit. “There’s no waking up early and no strict schedule. I can do everything in my own time, and I genuinely enjoy it. Sometimes I even keep the odd piece for myself,” Hannah added.
Financial Independence and Tips
The real reward, she says, is financial independence. Reselling allows her to earn her own income, make decisions, and build a career suited to her needs. “I feel empowered when I make my own money and can be my own boss,” she said.
Hannah advises checking which platform has the most ‘favourites’ or ‘saves’ for items to gauge quick flips. “eBay is popular for vintage items like t-shirts, but Vinted offers quicker sales for clothing. Try to find vintage branded items, as the name adds value,” she explained.
Now aiming to make reselling her full-time career, Hannah hopes her story encourages others restricted by traditional employment to consider alternative paths. “Take the leap of faith and give it a go. Start with one bundle, see how it goes, and then build from there,” she concluded.
