AN IRISH TEEN has revealed how she started a business with her communion and confirmation money – and now it’s worth six figures.
Shannon Conlon, 17, started her workout wear company Gym Chic back in December 2020 as a project to keep her busy during lockdown.
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Now, just over a year later, the 5th year student has made over six figures in sales, all thanks to her hard work, advertising the company on TikTok.
Speaking about how her idea came about, Shannon said: “It was near the end of third year when we went into lockdown the first time and I was unsure if the Junior Cert was going to go at the time.
“My dad was getting me prepared for Transition Year because a lot of people complain that there is not a lot to do in TY, so he suggested I start getting involved in business.
“I started running some Facebook ads for his business so that got me experience in social media and marketing and that gave me the idea. I started researching on YouTube what the easiest way is to start a business for myself.”
Shannon noticed a gap in the market for colourful, affordable gym clothes for teens, so she came up with the idea for Gym Chic.
After setting up the website, using e-commerce platform Shopify, she then decided to invest her own money into buying stock.
So, she dipped into her savings fund from her communion and confirmation.
She said: “The likes of Lululemon are very high price range, so I wanted to find something affordable, and I think because a lot of those gym wear company owners are a bit older, I feel like they don’t really know what teens want.
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“I started designing ideas on my ipad of what the sets might look like, with the blues and pinks. Then I started buying the stock, I had old confirmation and communion money which I had in my account so I invested that into the business.”
After launching her Gym Chic account on TikTok, Shannon recalls making over €4,000 in one day.
It took off so quickly that she had to stop taking orders online.
Now, she says she’s sold over €100,000 worth of products, including leggings, sports bras and shorts.
The business savvy teen, from Kilmacud, in Co Dublin, bought a new iPhone 12 pro and splurged €100 on a handbag to celebrate her business success.
INVEST IN BUSINESS
But the rest, she plans to invest back into the business.
She said: “I treat myself from time to time but it’s all there to be reinvested into the business, so I’m very careful with it because I know that business can be unreliable.”
Incredibly, it’s not the first time Shannon has started a business.
Aged nine, the youngster used to sell friendship bracelets in her school playground, for €2 each.
Now, Shannon manages Gym Chic, completely solo, modelling for the site and designing the products all by herself.
Her parents, friends and even teachers are supportive of her side job.
LEAVING CERT
But for now, her studies come first.
The 17-year-old will sit the Leaving Cert next year and despite her Gym Chic products flying off the shelves, she still plans to go to college and study law.
She said: “Now that I’m in fifth year, it’s hard but it’s still going steady at the moment, the sales are on and off, I’m just trying to keep it going on the side.
“I’d like to study law because I think I’d like to have a degree behind me, but I want to continue working on my business in college as well.”
As the orders continue to roll in, Shannon says she would love to grow the business even more, and bring out an eco-friendly clothing line.
She also wants to inspire other young people that they too can follow their dreams and build a business.
She added: “I would love to bring out more ranges and have an eco-friendly range, or something to do with charity work, involved with my business,I want to do something where I can give back. I’ve been brainstorming some ideas, so we’ll see.”
Visit gymchicclothing.com
