How woman went from $200 a week to six-figure company

Buying an activewear outfit online and reselling it because it didn’t quite fit right was never supposed to turn into a business idea.

Buying a pair of activewear online and reselling it because it didn’t quite fit right was never supposed to turn into a business close to making its first million.

But, that is what happened to then-21-year-old Aimee McLennan in May 2020 when she bought the clothes to fuel her obsession.

The person she sold the clothes to asked for more outfits for a pal and, without knowing it at the time, the brand Unlucky Apparel was born.

“I previously bought activewear from the Salvation Army, Facebook, online sales and would resell it to make a profit, which I did from ages 18-21,” Ms McLennan told news.com.au.

“It funded my extra wants that my part time income couldn’t. So buying and selling wasn’t new to me.”

She said she wouldn’t even describe it as a light bulb moment.

Unlucky Apparel founder Aimee McLennan began her business in 2020. Picture: Supplied.

But in September 2020, Ms McLennan decided it was time to design her own activewear and used $1400 she had saved from modelling for boudoir and car shoots.

“I have a video I recorded at time saying, ‘I’m about to lose $1400 on clothing that no one will buy.’ I look back on it now and laugh,” she said.

“I was never able to get any loans as I had been self employed for months so it was all self funded.

I was super fortunate that at the time I could lose $1400 but six months prior I was living paycheque to paycheque working two nights a week at nightclub in the city.”

All the designs were just based off things Ms McLennan liked on her own body, rather that what was popular.

Another detail that sets Unlucky apart is that the activewear is designed conceptually through automotive science, meaning Ms McLennan spends long hours researching each design.

Each item or collection will have certain performance or design features that can be replicated through the matching car or brand for that collection.

Unlucky Apparel is just shy of making it's first million. Picture: Supplied

The most popular collection has been the Borta range, which features a camouflage print and a V-neck sports bra, leggings, bike shorts and booty shorts.

It also stocks to a size 28.

Ms McLennan said every restock of the collection leads to a record month for her sales.

Since launching two years ago, Unlucky Apparel has made $780,000, compared to the first six months when the label made $40K.

The 23-year-old said it was insane to see, especially living on $200 a week with benefits when she was 20.

She owes a lot of success to TikTok, adding it was vital to be on the video app as a small-business owner.

The Borta range is the most popular. Picture: Supplied.

The Adelaide woman said she doesn’t have a plan for the business but would like to upgrade from her shopfront, adding she just wants to be a solid brand.

But, despite the success, Ms McLennan never expected Unlucky to be as popular as it’s become.

“I still wake up and forget that I own this almost seven-figure business. I have had so much support from the very beginning saying ‘it will go big, it will go big’ and I guess it happened but my reality is stuck in 2020,” she said.

“People love an underdog but people also love great fitting activewear, and they all come back not because its cheap or I’m an underdog but because its good stuff.”

The action from customers has also been something Ms McLennan has had to get her head around.

The 23-year-old was first buying and reselling other activewear. Picture: Supplied.

“People tell me I’ve changed their life. I never really believe it because that’s a huge statement however people come up to me in public, they want photos, they send me Christmas cards, I have drawings from children about being their hero/idol,” she said.

“If someone comes to you crying of happiness because your clothing gave them the confidence to do XYZ you just can’t help but see that as highlight.”

Another highlight was taking the next step and getting a warehouse, becoming a registered company and getting a shop front.

But, at the end of the day, the young woman, says she is just a regular person who had a good idea.