Essex teenager Harrison Nott is building a six-figure brand from his bedroom with CoolTowel. Discover his journey, business model, and inspiring future plans.
The Inspiring Rise Of A Young Business Star
In a world where most teenagers are focused on school, sports, and social media, one 15-year-old from Essex is breaking the mould by chasing a six-figure business dream. Meet Harrison Nott, a secondary school student from Maldon, who launched his own cooling towel company, CoolTowel, from the comfort of his bedroom—and is now aiming to generate over £100,000 in revenue before even finishing his GCSEs.
Harrison isn’t your typical teenager. While his peers are revising for exams and worrying about prom outfits, he’s busy running marketing campaigns, shipping out hundreds of orders, and planning his next major product launch. What began as a simple idea has now evolved into a fully fledged ecommerce brand that has served more than 15,000 customers.
The CoolTowel journey is an inspiring reminder that age is no barrier to ambition—and that side hustles aren’t just for adults anymore. With persistence, clever branding, and TikTok-powered marketing, Harrison is blazing a trail for a new generation of young entrepreneurs.
How CoolTowel Was Born In A Bedroom
Harrison’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t start with CoolTowel. In fact, he was dabbling in online reselling and small ventures from the age of eight. Like many great business stories, those early attempts failed—but they taught him important lessons about market demand, customer experience, and the value of trying again.
The breakthrough came in 2023 when Harrison noticed a growing interest in cooling towels, particularly during the UK’s warmer months. While the product was already popular in other countries, it hadn’t yet found a strong presence in the UK fitness and wellness market.
Spotting the gap, Harrison acted quickly. He launched CoolTowel, targeting athletes, gym-goers, and anyone struggling with the heat. The towels provide instant cooling relief when soaked in water and wrung out, making them ideal for workouts, hot days, and even menopause-related symptoms.
Using his bedroom as HQ, Harrison began packing and shipping orders himself. At first, it was small numbers—ten here, twenty there. But once he got traction on TikTok, the momentum exploded. Soon he had viral videos, thousands of views, and a flood of new customers.
Scaling To Thousands In Sales With TikTok And Shopify
The genius of Harrison’s approach lies in how he combined low-cost digital tools with relatable, authentic content. His TikTok strategy focused on real-time packing videos, product benefits, and customer reviews. This raw, behind-the-scenes glimpse into his small business made him instantly likeable—and his products trustworthy.
With the help of Shopify, Harrison set up a professional-looking ecommerce store. He also dabbled in affiliate marketing, working with influencers to promote CoolTowel in exchange for commissions. As the buzz grew, his order volume surged—sometimes hitting over £15,000 in daily revenue during peak periods.
To keep up, Harrison briefly used his father’s warehouse space for storage and dispatch. But even now, much of the work remains in his hands. He wakes up early, attends school, and manages his business between lessons, homework, and weekends. While it’s a demanding schedule, Harrison wouldn’t have it any other way.
He currently averages around £1,000 in sales per day, although profits vary depending on ad spend, affiliate payouts, and product costs. But what’s clear is that his brand has hit a nerve—and people love supporting young, purpose-driven entrepreneurs.
Building A Brand While Still In School
Harrison isn’t just selling a product—he’s building a brand identity. From professionally designed packaging to registered trademarks, CoolTowel has all the markings of a serious business, despite being run by a teenager.
With guidance from his school business teacher, he’s set up a limited company, filed legal protections, and begun investing in better equipment and fulfilment tools. His long-term goal is to expand the product range, partner with retailers, and even appear on Dragon’s Den to secure growth capital.
Harrison has also become a minor celebrity within his school. He’s donated CoolTowel products to charity events, sponsored his school’s sports day, and even given business presentations to other students. He proudly walks through the halls with CoolTowel-branded gear, showing that you can mix school pride with entrepreneurial hustle.
Perhaps most impressive is how he balances it all. With exams looming, Harrison still makes time to strategize for the brand, engage with customers on social media, and map out his next moves. His time management skills are as sharp as his business instincts.
The Vision For The Future And A Growing Movement
What drives a 15-year-old to build a business empire from scratch? For Harrison, it’s a mix of ambition, curiosity, and a desire to create something meaningful.
He’s already looking ahead—talking about expanding into sports retailers, launching seasonal product lines, and using his story to inspire others. He wants to turn CoolTowel into a trusted UK brand, not just a viral TikTok sensation.
He’s also passionate about building his personal brand, which he believes will open more doors in the future. As he progresses toward A-levels and university (likely studying business), Harrison plans to document his entrepreneurial journey on platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn, showing others what’s possible with dedication and a bit of hustle.
More broadly, Harrison represents a new wave of Gen Z entrepreneurs—digital natives who aren’t afraid to launch brands, test products, and fail forward. He’s proof that you don’t need huge capital to start, just the courage to begin and the consistency to grow.
What Other Young Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Harrison
Harrison’s journey holds lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages—but especially for young people looking to start their own side hustles.
Here are some key takeaways from his success:
- Start Small And Learn Fast
Harrison’s first ideas didn’t succeed, but each failure taught him something. The real win was staying in the game. - Find A Niche Product With Real Demand
Cooling towels may not sound glamorous, but they solve a real problem—and Harrison marketed them in a way that connected with customers. - Leverage Free Marketing Tools
TikTok and word-of-mouth built his audience. You don’t need a marketing degree to go viral—just authenticity and a story. - Treat Your Business Like A Brand
From trademarks to logos, Harrison understood early on that presentation matters. Customers support brands they trust. - Manage Time Like A CEO
Balancing school and business isn’t easy. But Harrison schedules smartly and stays disciplined, proving it’s possible to do both. - Don’t Wait For Permission
Harrison didn’t wait until he was 18, had a business degree, or a massive loan. He started with what he had, learned as he went, and built something real.
Final Words From Harrison:
“I want to see how far I can get with CoolTowel… I’ve forecasted to scale past £100,000 this summer, and I’m confident I can reach that with consistent effort.”
“Long-term, I’d like to build a personal brand, help others get started, and show what’s possible if you just go for it.”
Whether he achieves £100K this summer or next, one thing is certain—Harrison Nott is one to watch. His story is not just a teenage dream; it’s a powerful reminder that the business world is wide open to anyone bold enough to start.