A 16-year-old entrepreneur from Essex, UK, has chosen not to attend college to focus on his towel business, CoolTowel, which he started in his bedroom in 2023. Harrison Nott’s venture has generated more than £750,000 in revenue this year, driven by a surge in demand during Britain’s summer heatwaves. His journey received a major boost when he won the Alibaba.com CoCreate Pitch competition, beating 15,000 entrepreneurs worldwide and securing a £150,000 prize. Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand, one of the judges, was impressed by the teenager and later invested in his business. Harrison says CoolTowel has recorded around 80,000 sales through TikTok Shop and Shopify this year, although the company is yet to turn a profit.CoolTowel sells reusable cooling towels that work through evaporation. Users wet the towel, wring it out and snap it to activate the cooling effect. According to SWNS, demand soared during the summer heatwaves, with Harrison claiming the business generated £100,000 in revenue in a single night after selling out its stock.He later introduced pre-orders and says the company sold £600,000 worth of stock in one week, taking its annual revenue beyond £750,000.
Why he decided against going to college
Harrison chooses business over college after GCSEs. (Photo: Instagram)
Despite passing his GCSEs, Harrison decided against attending college after discussing the move with his parents. He acknowledged that leaving the conventional education route was difficult, especially as his friends were moving on to college.“I really do value school, but me and my parents made the decision that it would be best for me to not go to college,” he said, as quoted by SWNS.He added, “It is like stepping away from the norm. Not going to college is burning the bridge.”
Rio Ferdinand’s investment and a trip to Los Angeles
Rio Ferdinand backs 16-year-old entrepreneur Harrison Nott. (Photo: Instagram)
Ferdinand later met Harrison in London to discuss his business plans and decided to invest in the venture. The former footballer has also helped the teenager build connections and explore opportunities for growth.Harrison subsequently travelled to Los Angeles, where he met Ferdinand and celebrities including James Corden and former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.“Rio is a lovely person. He is not arrogant at all,” Harrison said, adding that he admired Ferdinand for his efforts to support young entrepreneurs.
Business challenges and future plans
Despite the impressive revenue, Harrison has faced stock shortages, problems with TikTok Shop’s handling of pre-orders and copycats allegedly using his face in advertisements. He believes platform-related issues cost him an opportunity to capitalise further on the summer heatwaves.Advertising campaigns, affiliate commissions and other expenses have also prevented the business from turning a profit.“It was all a punch in the face at once. It has been very good, with a very terrible last few months,” he said.However, Harrison remains optimistic about the future. “It is not just a business in my bedroom anymore, it is a brand that is helping people properly,” he said.He added that the business has stock and other assets and hopes to break even as it continues to grow.