How a teen made £35k from a side hustle to pay for uni debt-free

With student debt in Wales averaging £40,000 at graduation and English graduates leaving university owing £53,000, one 18-year-old has found a creative way to dodge the debt trap altogether — by turning a hobby into a thriving business.

Eleri Williams started reselling vintage football shirts from her parents’ spare room during her GCSEs in 2023, expecting to earn pocket money for online shopping. Three years and £35,000 in profit later, she’s opened a physical shop in Cardiff and is now on track to graduate from law school debt-free.

Her story reflects a bigger trend. A recent survey found that 65% of students now have a side hustle compared to just 38% in the 1980s. For many young people, a second income isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s essential for covering day-to-day living costs while studying.

What can you learn from Eleri’s approach?

The key to her success wasn’t luck — it was starting small and reinvesting profits. She began with her dad’s old shirts, then used early earnings to buy more stock. This low-risk approach meant she could test the market without borrowing money.

Eleri also emphasises balance. Her parents help run the shop during her exams, showing how important it is to have support around you. She’s now managing university study plans alongside her business, proving that side hustles don’t have to derail your education if you’re organised.

Is a side hustle right for you?

Not every side hustle will turn into a £35,000 success story, and Eleri is the first to say so. But if you’re facing university costs or struggling with living expenses, exploring what skills or interests you could monetise is worth considering. Start small, track your income carefully for tax purposes, and be realistic about the time you can commit alongside your main commitments.

If you’re a student worried about debt, explore all your options: maintenance loans, grants, bursaries from your university, and yes — side hustles. The combination of sources often works better than relying on one.