'I was on Universal Credit - now I've gone global with a business I built in my nana's bedroom'

A young entrepreneur who runs a fashion business from his nana’s spare bedroom in Ashton-under-Lyne has opened up about his inspiring journey. It took a few years for independent streetwear brand SnowyOwl to take off as owner David Jamie Delaney battled through a dark time with depression and insomnia.

But he never gave up on his vision. The 25-year-old worked 70-plus hours a week in ‘meaningless’ warehouse jobs in order to save up cash whilst completing his degree - which took two years longer for him to finish than his peers due to his mental health.

He also spent months on Universal Credit when he ended up out of work. Now five years later, customers are buying his designs across the US, Sweden, and even Japan.

READ MORE: Meet the female welder who wasn’t taken seriously - now she’s building the huge playground at Mayfield Park

“When I was ill, the brand was the only thing that would get me out of bed in the morning,” David, who goes by the nickname of DJ, said. Manchester seems to be known for fast fashion but I wanted to build myself a brand like the next Ralph Lauren.”

DJ first conceived SnowyOwl back in 2016. The name for the e-commerce venture was inspired by vegan DJ’s love for animals, and the chiller temperatures up North.

He was still at university when he set up the company with business partner Madej. But it wasn't until 2019, after DJ had graduated, that they received their first sale.

“I felt really unsatisfied with my degree, it felt like a waste of time,” DJ, who began studying sport coaching and development at Bolton University in 2014, said.

“As a student, I had no money, and I was suffering from insomnia massively, which led to really bad anxiety and depression.

"I had suicidal thoughts on a