Hatopia

Anil will never forget the moment that changed his life for the better. “It was 10.08 when I first heard that sound you hear when you get an order on eBay. And it all started there.” But the story of how he got there is nothing short of inspiring.

Anil arrived in the UK as a refugee with a young family in the wake of a traumatic event. He originally sustained injuries in a terrorist attack at his university in Afghanistan. Then, after years of recovery, his country fell to the Taliban. Due to his work with the British government, he was evacuated to the UK, where he faced the challenge of rebuilding his and his family’s life from scratch.

Eventually, a colleague introduced Anil to The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN), and with their support, he launched Hatopia on eBay. Within three months, the business became a top-rated seller with 100% positive feedback, driven by passion and commitment to quality.

Hatopia’s success is a family effort. Anil’s wife manages operations and packaging, while he oversees communication after his day job. They’ve created not just a business, but a new life. Hatopia has shipped to customers in over 26 countries and adopted eco-friendly packaging by removing plastic holders.

Hatopia’s ethos revolves around integrity and customer satisfaction. The team responds promptly to customer requests and has implemented premium packaging to enhance the shopping experience. “For us, our customers’ experience matters the most,” says Anil.

Beyond business, Anil focuses on giving back. Hatopia has donated over 90 hats to charities and collaborates with female artists in rural Afghanistan. He sees entrepreneurship as a force for good and is committed to making a difference with every hat sold.

Hatopia’s story shows what’s possible with resilience, quality, and support. “We may have started with very little, but we’ve poured our hearts into this,” says Anil. “We’re here to build a better future, not just for ourselves, but for everyone who believes in us.”