A 22-year-old entrepreneur who transitioned from working in a warehouse for minimum wage to generating £50,000 per month by selling pre-loved trainers, has expressed that his current success is “not enough” and that he is “not content with it.” Jack Long embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 12 by selling unwanted items from family members on eBay, with the long-term goal of starting his own business. Following his college graduation in 2021, he took on a role as a warehouse picker to save money for his future business. In March 2023, Jack stumbled upon a pair of Nike Air Force trainers at a car boot sale, which he purchased for £15 and later sold for double the price, sparking the idea of turning this into a profitable venture.
By April 2023, he had amassed around £5,000 through his warehouse job and officially launched his pre-loved trainer business, Recycled Streetwear. Initially selling approximately 30 trainers a month, Jack’s business saw exponential growth when he joined the real-time shopping app Tilt. Currently, he sells around 1,500 trainers per month, resulting in monthly earnings of £50,000, most of which he reinvests back into the business. Jack detailed how he dedicates his time to sourcing, cleaning, and authenticating shoes, often live-streaming the products in the evenings for potential buyers. His ultimate goal is to establish himself as a leading player in the pre-loved shoe market.
Despite his remarkable success, Jack remains driven to expand his business further, underscoring that the £50,000 he earns monthly is insufficient in his eyes. Reflecting on his journey, Jack highlighted his early entrepreneurial spirit, recalling his beginnings of selling miscellaneous items online to make a profit. Since the launch of Recycled Streetwear, Jack has been working tirelessly to meet the increasing demand for his products, with aspirations of hiring additional staff to aid with live streams.
Looking ahead, Jack envisions continued growth for his business, aspiring to be a prominent retailer in the pre-loved shoe sector, while also advocating for sustainable practices to reduce waste and offer affordable options to consumers. He shared his vision of intercepting shoes before they reach landfills, refurbishing them, and presenting them to customers at competitive prices. As he strives towards these objectives, Jack remains committed to his entrepreneurial journey and the positive impact he hopes to make in the industry.