This 15-year-old created a $100,000 business from his bedroom.

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      What if you could transform a common teenage sports frustration into a $100k business while managing school, sports, and the other challenges of being 15?

      Harrison Nott has made this a reality. Beginning at the age of 13, Harrison developed CoolTowel, which is projected to generate £100,000 (approximately $130,000) in revenue this summer alone.

      The idea originated from a basic issue: feeling overheated and uncomfortable while playing squash. Harrison identified an opportunity in the cooling towel market that was nearly nonexistent three years ago.

      Tune in to Episode 696 of the Side Hustle Show to discover:

      - The viral video strategies that garnered Harrison his first million views

      - How user-generated content campaigns can scale an e-commerce business

      - The growing importance of personal branding for young entrepreneurs

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      The Genesis of CoolTowel: From Grandma’s Sewing Machine to Alibaba

      Harrison has been running businesses since he was 8, starting with reselling items on eBay. By 13, he had already attempted 10 different ventures, gaining essential insights along the way.

      The cooling towel concept emerged from sheer frustration. Air conditioning was costly, fans merely circulated warm air, and cooling towels weren’t widely recognized in 2022.

      His initial prototype was endearingly DIY: Harrison's grandmother brought over her sewing machine, and they fashioned a microfiber towel around an ice pack. It didn’t function well, but it confirmed the idea had potential.

      That’s when Harrison reached out to Alibaba to locate a manufacturer. His prior experience negotiating with suppliers and establishing trust was vital. Most manufacturers request a minimum order of 500-1,000 units, but Harrison successfully negotiated down to just 50 units at £3 each.

      Harrison’s advice: Manufacturers are more inclined to accept smaller orders if you've used the platform before and can demonstrate a serious intention to scale.

      Building the Brand: The Importance of Packaging Over the Product

      While anyone can source cooling towels from China, Harrison prioritized branding from the start. He created his unique packaging, featuring a polar bear mascot, understanding a crucial point: “In the end, there are similar products available, but for CoolTowel to succeed, it needs to clearly show what it does and how to use it.”

      Premium packaging enabled him to:

      - Charge higher prices (£8-10 versus generic alternatives)

      - Foster customer trust and minimize returns

      - Establish a clear pathway for scaling up

      The brand message was straightforward yet impactful: “No batteries, no chemicals—just science that works. You wet it, wring it out, and snap it to feel cooler in seconds.”

      The Viral Video Approach: 50 Attempts to Success

      Harrison didn’t succeed by chance with his first video. He posted around 50 videos on TikTok before one truly gained traction, amassing over a million views.

      His strategy was systematic:

      - Analyze successful formats: Harrison studied viral dropshipping videos and drew inspiration from trending sounds and controversial hooks, adapting them for cooling towels.

      - Address various pain points: Some videos targeted gym enthusiasts, others menopause, outdoor work, or general overheating. He explored multiple angles to find what resonated.

      - Keep iterating: The 15th video garnered 30,000-50,000 views, but the significant breakthrough came around videos 30-40.

      The successful combination incorporated trending sounds with compelling hooks that addressed specific pain points. Harrison made the cooling towel relevant by identifying angles that would engage viewers.

      Most individuals give up after 5-10 failed attempts. Harrison’s determination to push through 50 videos before succeeding emphasizes the need to treat content creation as a numbers game.

      From Organic Growth to Paid: Scaling with User-Generated Content

      Although organic content laid the groundwork, Harrison recognized the necessity for consistent growth. He shifted to an advanced user-generated content (UGC) strategy utilizing TikTok Shop’s built-in affiliate program.

      Here’s how he expanded his creator network:

      - Smart selection: Harrison only reached out to creators who had sold at least £100 in products over the past 30 days to ensure they had proven sales capability.

      - Performance-based incentives: He provided free samples and 20% commission on sales, maintaining low costs while attracting dedicated creators.

      - Automation tools: Using