Alumni Voices: 'The best way to test an idea is to put it out there…'

What attracted you to study a masters at King’s?

I knew it was a prestigious university and King’s Business School was highly rated. Based in the centre of London, I also knew it would be a diverse and exciting place to study.

Why did you choose to study Strategic Entrepreneurship & Innovation?

I had a gap year following my undergraduate degree and I realised I had a passion for entrepreneurship. I looked for a course that could teach me the fundamentals of business with a specific focus on entrepreneurship.

The masters at King’s met that brief. It had a focus on real-world experience, plus partnerships with both start-ups and established organisations. It also had regular talks with guest speakers, meaning I could learn from people who’d built businesses themselves.

What’s your favourite memory of King’s?

Taking part in the Idea Factory competition and being crowned one of the winners was great. Entering the event and pitching an idea in a public forum pushed me outside my comfort zone. I also met lots of other entrepreneurs who were in the process of creating their start-ups. I’m still good friends with a lot of those people.

What’s the key lesson you learnt at King’s?

That university is more than just your course. There are like lots of opportunities baked into the experience to help build your skill sets and explore your interests.

The EI (Entrepreneurship Institute) was a big factor for me. There were so many extracurricular opportunities, such as idea feedback sessions, community meet-ups and events for businesswomen. The inspiration that all those provided gave me a confidence and connections to turn my idea into a business.

What was your first job after university?

After I finished my masters, I worked as a management consultant for three years at PA Consulting. I learnt a lot there in a short space of time. But I always knew I wanted to venture into the world of entrepreneurship and I was waiting for ‘the right idea to happen’.

Then it did and Rejazz was born.

Can you tell us about Rejazz?

Rejazz is an online resale platform for quality womenswear, which provides hassle-free selling services and a premium shopping experience. Our aim is to elevate the second-hand experience so it feels as good as shopping new, while keeping as many clothes in circulation and out of landfill as possible. The fashion industry is the second most polluting in the world, after oil and gas, so we're trying to provide one piece of the solution to reduce this waste on our planet.

How did Rejazz begin?

I was selling some of my mum’s old clothes on other resale platforms like Vinted. When I told my friends, they gave me clothes to sell and I ended up doing this for a lot of people. I realised there was a demand and a type of customer who wasn’t being fulfilled by existing platforms.

I remembered the resources and support King’s gave to their alumni, and I got in contact with the head of entrepreneurial skills at EI. She gave me feedback and encouraged me to apply for the Idea Factory competition. This helped me build more validation and, with more help from EI, I launched the most basic version of my website in 2022. It evolved from there as more customers found out about the business through social media.

Was this a passion project for you?

Absolutely. I love shopping second-hand in thrift stores, vintage markets or online. Pre-loved clothing is better in terms of sustainability and affordability, so it always felt like a win-win to me. I wanted others to see that value, too.

What was the reception of Rejazz once you fully launched in 2023?

It was encouraging. The idea of a carefully curated resale service resonated with people who wanted to sell their clothes but didn’t have the time to do it. We also saw strong demand from sellers who loved the convenience and buyers who appreciated the curation aspect. As we grew, we realised there was a real gap for this.

When did you decide to go full-time with Rejazz?

That was in 2024. I was already working part-time at PA to help build my business. But I’d reached a point where I had to commit full-time if it was going to reach its potential.

What’s life like as a full-time Chief Executive Officer?

It’s not as glamorous as you may imagine. It comes with a lot of challenges. No two days are the same. I can be juggling operations, marketing and day-to-day problem-solving tasks. But that makes it rewarding. When you have a success, you know you’ve put the work in to make it happen. It’s also a great way to learn across all the areas you’re thrown into.

What are your ambitions for Rejazz?

We’re focusing on UK growth and making sure we build a strong brand reputation before we look to expand in terms of geography. The ambition right now is to scale our UK reach and continue to improve the customer experience.

Do you have other ventures in the pipeline?

I have a notes page in my phone called Million Dollar Ideas. I have about 200 of these jotted down in bullet-point form that I’d love to have the time to explore one day. I love the early stages of growing businesses, so there’s no doubt there will be more to come!

I’d also love to formally grow a community of female entrepreneurs as I found this such a valuable part of the King's Start-up Accelerator programme. So, any women looking start or already running a business – please do reach out!

Finally, what advice would you give to King’s alum aiming to launch start-ups?

Don’t overthink. Just do it. The best way to test an idea is to put it out there, then get feedback and iterate as you go. If the idea only exists in your head, you’re never going to make any real-world progress.

And don’t worry if it doesn’t secure instant traction. It’s better to find hard truths out sooner rather than later when you’ve invested a huge amount of time and money in it.

Learn more about Rejazz or connect with Jas on LinkedIn.