Tooting resident Jim Farthing tells us all about Edit Hats, a business which donates a hat to the homeless for every hat sold.

I’m from a small town in South Wales and moved to South London in 2014, originally living in Balham and now based in Tooting Bec. I pursued a career in radio due to my passion for music and currently work at BBC Radio 1; however I’d always wanted to run my own business, but struggled with an idea. I mentioned this to my auntie who, with her husband, run a successful business up North. She said don’t worry – the idea will come to you.

In November 2014 I was on my way home from work and walked passed a homeless man, it was cold, he looked freezing and I felt guilty that all I had to offer was some small change. Standing on Warren Street tube platform, I had an idea. Why not sell beanies online and donate another to the homeless for each one sold. What an obvious idea…

Growing up I BMX’d and loved snow-sports so I was keen for the brand to have a streetwear influence. The name ‘Edit’ stems from working in radio; I’d save audio as X-JIMEDIT and thought it looked cool, so I played around with different fonts and ran with it – plus the definition of ‘edit’ was appropriate for nature of the business.

Once I had the idea, I designed a website and just one hat – The Original Black Beanie. I also ambitiously purchased a sewing machine from eBay, then realised I didn’t have a clue how to use it, so I found a business in West London to stitch the labels on for me!
 

When we launched we sold out, so I had more made and subsequently introduced new colours and designs and started selling them in Russell Brand’s Trew Era café in Hoxton.

When we’d sold enough to take a big batch to donate, I got in touch with the Central London division of the Samaritans and arranged to join them at a food drop near Holborn. A food drop is essentially a series of tables set up on the street where charities, individuals and families give out free food and warm drinks. The Samaritans chat with the homeless guys to provide company and a chance to socialise. The night we went it was pouring with rain and I was surprised at how many people were there. I had 30 hats in a bag and I walked around offering them out – they were gone in 60 seconds. “Right, these are obviously needed,” I thought.

I’ve subsequently donated hats through St Patricks Church in Soho Square, St Anselm’s Catholic Church in Tooting Bec and will heading to a homeless charity called Ace of Clubs in Clapham Common for our next donation.

The business has continued to grow and we have just started selling in MUD Café in Tooting, in Broadway Market in Tooting and they’ll soon be available at Blitz in Shoreditch. We’ve had orders from New York, Australia and Germany and have been featured in Time Out.

In terms of the future, the plan is to grow the business through a wider variety of products and retailers with a view to donate in other cities across the UK and abroad. I’ve met some incredible people on the journey so far and I’m excited to see what lies ahead.

You can find out more about Jim and Edit Hats on his website, and follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.