A perfect study in how to start up a successful brand
STUDENT High Street, a website where student start-ups can market their brands to other young people, is to be launched by young entrepreneur Tom Grafton later this month.
He came up with the idea while studying politics and geography at Exeter University, where he ran a loyalty scheme to connect students with independent stores.
‘I realised there were exciting emerging [student-run] businesses that understood their locality and space. Most of them lack not only the platform to sell but also the infrastructure vital to setting up a business – having their accounting done properly, access to funding, proper legal support and advice when they grow on how to scale up manufacturing.’
Grafton, who had a stint working at a venture capital company after graduating, compares the business model to Notonthehighstreet and hand-picked sellers will be charged 20 per cent commission for selling through the website.
The space will be targeted at 17 to 26-year-olds and they will also be able to pay for extra support.
The company is chaired by Clive Beharrell, the chairman of Crew Clothing, and digital and strategy director Richard Martin is the former marketing director at Fred Perry.
SHS has partnered with the UK Fashion & Textile Association, accountancy giant KPMG and small firm legal specialist Spring Law.