Henry Howard, 20, and Holly Proud, 19, from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, have made more than £50,000 since 2023 by flipping vintage clothing seven days a week. Their biggest motivation was avoiding student debt, and they are now saving for their first home with no regrets.
From Pocket Money to Full-Time Business
The couple began reselling clothes in January 2023, when Henry was 16 and Holly was 15. They started by buying underpriced items from charity shops, such as branded T-shirts, often doubling their money on each sale. They would rummage through bargain bins, finding Ralph Lauren jumpers for as little as £2 and selling them for up to £30 on Vinted and Depop.
After discovering they could buy vintage clothing in bulk online via wholesaler Fleek, they scaled up. Henry said: “As we scaled up our orders, we scaled up the volume we were selling. We started out in Holly’s bedroom, then moved into her spare bedroom, then a room in my house, and eventually into her grandparents’ annex.”
Making £2,000 a Month and Going Full-Time
By the summer of 2023, they were making around £2,000 a month. One early success came when they bought a bundle of 50 Carhartt trousers for around £400 and sold each pair for £20. Henry and Holly then decided to pursue the business full-time instead of going to university.
Henry said: “There was definitely some shock from people around me, as around 95% of my friends went to university. My school largely encouraged me to go to university and stay in education, but I was lucky to have a very supportive family.”
Holly’s Health Condition Made Self-Employment Essential
In 2023, Holly was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes a rapid increase in heart rate when standing up, often leading to dizziness and light-headedness. She found working for herself more accessible, allowing her to work flexible hours depending on how she feels. “Day to day, I definitely have to take things at my own pace and sit down more regularly. The heat makes it so much worse too. I don’t think I could have gone to university with it,” she said.
Moving into a 1,000 Square Foot Unit
In November 2025, the couple moved the business into a 1,000 square foot unit to maximise stock. Holly said: “We work well together as a team – Henry is good at the business and numbers side, and I have a lot of knowledge about fashion – we agree on most things!”
Since then, they have bought a vintage Valentino suit for £10 and sold it for £250. Other profitable finds include a Yves Saint Laurent jacket bought for £20 and sold for £200, a Juicy Couture handbag purchased for £10 and sold for £110, and a pair of Frye cowboy boots bought for £15 and sold for £135.
Working Seven Days a Week, Earning £2,000 a Week
The couple now work seven days a week, viewing the business as a combination of hobby and career, and generate upwards of £2,000 a week in sales. In total, Henry said they have made around £50,000 so far. Holly said: “I think I’m quite good at knowing what’s trending, so we look for that as well as big brands – that’s what always works for us. I’m really passionate about the environment. If any of our clothes have holes in them, I sew them up or add patches to make them more unique before we sell them. We rarely buy ourselves anything new now.”
While they have treated themselves to holidays, including a trip to Copenhagen, they are primarily focused on saving for their first home. Holly said: “We’re just excited for the future and what’s to come, we want to just keep growing the business!”
