Lyst is a global Fashion Tech company and premium shopping app, founded in London in 2010 and catering to over 200M shoppers per year.
What is Lyst, and how does it stand out in the competitive world of fashion?
It is an online platform designed to make finding fashion easy, much like how Spotify consolidates music or Skyscanner aggregates flights. We bring together clothing from department stores, boutiques, and brands from all over the world into one convenient destination. What’s unique is that we help solve the problem many shoppers face – finding a specific item they’ve seen online but struggling to locate in stores. Instead of searching across multiple sites, Lyst gives them one place to find exactly what they’re looking for.
How did you decide to start your own business, and what led you to focus on fashion?
The decision to start a business was something I had in mind from a young age. My first taste of entrepreneurship came in school, when a friend and I spent a weekend planning a business for fun. It was exciting to imagine how it could all work. After university, I gained experience at a startup and in venture capital before launching Lyst. As for fashion, the idea came from observing my housemates’ experiences. They would often have dozens of tabs open, searching for specific fashion items online. I saw an opportunity to build a data-driven business that could simplify that process. That’s how Lyst was born out of a need to make online fashion shopping more efficient and comprehensive.
What advice would you give to someone considering starting their own business?
My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you’re deeply passionate about what you want to build. That passion will sustain you through the long hours and challenges. Entrepreneurship is more accessible than people think, but it requires a relentless drive. If you believe in the problem you’re solving and are committed to bringing your vision to life, then go for it. It’s important to also surround yourself with people whose skills complement your own. No one builds a successful business alone.
What’s next for you after stepping back from Lyst?
After 12 years leading Lyst, I’ve stepped back to focus on my family and new ventures. I’m currently serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence with the Royal Society at Oxford, working with scientists and engineers on building businesses around cutting-edge technology. It’s a fascinating role helping to shape the next generation of startups.
How do you think AI will shape the future of entrepreneurship?
AI is already transforming industries, and its influence will only grow. In the next five years, I believe we’ll see AI assistants and tools playing a huge role in improving productivity and decision-making for businesses. It’s not about replacing jobs, but rather about augmenting the way we work. Entrepreneurs who embrace AI will have a significant advantage, using these tools to identify market gaps, test products more efficiently, and even automate complex tasks. The possibilities are endless, and it’s crucial for anyone entering the workforce to understand how to leverage AI in their field.
- Find out more: www.lyst.co.uk or Instagram: @lyst
