About ArryBarry

I’m going to keep this one short.

My Dad lives by the rule: only do something for someone if you don't expect anything back. For years I'd think, "what are you on about?" and assume he was getting old or losing it. Sorry Dad.

As the story goes, I started this side project to raise money to buy things for myself — but don't judge, I was a kid. It's 2026 now, time has flown by, and the world's become a less happy place. I started catching the news because, well, you have to as an adult — you need to know what you're walking into when you leave the house. Let's be honest, it's only getting more depressing out there, and all I want to do — like most people, I assume — is get back in bed.

But if I was going to get out of bed, I had to do my part.

It took a little time to hit me. I overheard someone moaning about having to donate for the 3rd time in 2 weeks. Around the same time, a close friend of my Dad's was scrambling money together for an emergency operation. THAT was the moment. Time to rebuild — Arrybarry 2.0.

So here's what I've learnt running this thing. There are three sides to it: the brand, the marketplace, and the customer. Each plays their part, each walks away with their prize — the first two get money, the customer gets the product they wanted. Simple.

I came in as the customer, wanting to buy what I wanted at the cheapest price I could get it. Then it hit me: my favourite brands only exist if they make a profit. Drive their prices into the ground and you kill them off — and then I can't buy from them ever again. Bit of an own goal, that.

So that left the marketplace. A marketplace connects the brand and the customer, and for that they take their cut — the seller fee — somewhere between 6-45%. Didn't know that, did you? Shocked? Yeah, me too. So my thinking was: why can't this cut be donated instead? The brands set their sale price (be generous, brands, please). Customers know that not every penny they spend is lining the pockets of the wealthy. Plus they get the product they wanted AND fund a cause — either one they pick, or a charity the brand's tied to.

Everyone wins = Arrybarry Marketplace

When I told Dad about the donation idea, he just nodded. Didn't even say "I told you so." That was somehow worse.

So Dad won't be happy, because I AM expecting something back — your help and support to hit our first donation milestone of £1 million asap! Big number, I know. But hear me out — I kept thinking about all the ways this pot could help. Charities, yes. But also the DMs I know are coming: someone's GoFundMe, someone's mate who needs surgery, someone's school fund raising. Friends and family shopping to chip in instead of just forwarding a link. That's the dream. So yeah — the pot had to be BIG.

P.S. People keep asking why I haven't updated my picture on the site. Truthfully? Lazy, I guess. But now I'm thinking I'll keep it — feels right to remember where this all began.

It’s been some time since starting this and I’ve experienced a lot along the way so I owe you some updates.

Firstly, I’ve graduated to secondary school and things are changing. Somethings, I can’t talk about but I’m sure you can guess. Yup, mum’s made some space in the beauty draw for me now.

Positive note – I’m not summoned as often as they can’t take the new bass which comes out when I open my mouth – awkward! Teenage Superpower.

Being called Arrybarry hasn’t changed, although it’s sometimes shortened to Barry or Baz. WHO THE HELL IS THAT??? “It is what it is” as they say, else me and you wouldn’t have met, so it’s not all bad.

Like you, I was cooped up inside hibernating with Mamma and Pappa Bear. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. Although, i missed out on a lot of Wine (Vimto for me) and Cheese parties like the rest of you.

Have a thought now to bless those who faired a lot worse and thank you to those who helped others.

As for this side project. It’s been crazy! Good and Bad but never Ugly (I sell Health and Beauty products).

I’ve managed to hire some minions, and teach them the way, to help me help you. Please bear with us if you face any issues. It’s been a steep learning curve as the last few years have not been anything like they wrote in my Dads’s books.

Let me just say, however much I try, and if not a fault of my own, I can’t run other companies for them or give them a kick (Boris’s distance rules remember) to sort them out if the issue effects your order. I wish I could, for your happiness and mine.

What's more, other issues have not let up, with random supplier stock levels, courier delays/damages, yardy yardy yah. It’s tough and sometimes I just want to play on my PS5. Yes a PS5, dreams can come true, you have to think big people – I didn’t start this to buy penny sweets.

Please let me leave you for now with a big thank you to all those who have supported my little amazing online corner shop.

By the way, I would update the picture of me but the new one is not as cute and I still need to draw in the crowd.

Hi I’m Arry. I began life in 2008. Now, who is Barry? Well he’s not my partner nor my imaginary friend. He’s part of a nickname Arrybarry (one of many) given to me by my parents. Confusing and embarrassing, that’s parents for you.

Nicknames - Only used to summon you when they want something.

Well, now when I want something, I get the same old: “Son, it’s too expensive. We can’t always buy what we want. You need to learn the value of money.”

So, I went away and read one of Dad’s 'How to make money' books called “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t as interesting as Harry Potter and also a little confusing. What I understood was: buy low sell high. Why not buy low and sell only a little bit higher? Surely you would sell more and everybody’s happy. More sales = more money, right? Look, I’m no Teacher – but it makes sense to me.

Dad said to think of something and he’ll help me with this project. So, what was I going to sell?

One day, “Arrybarry” got called to get a hairband from his Mum's dresser. OMG – where was I going to find that in four drawers of rubbish?

Then I remembered:

Dad’s always complaining about how much Mum spends on her hundreds of expensive beauty products, which she uses on the odd occasion. Mum’s complaining about how much Dad spends on his Health products which he “NEVER” uses, as his gym membership just collects dust.

Brainwave: All parents must do the same. Collect Rubbish = Health & Beauty = Money.

Most parents get asked "where do babies come from?", mine are asked "where did Arrybarry come from?".

There you have it, that’s my story and where it all started in 2017.

Now, please can you buy something, save yourselves some money and make me some along the way, so that I can buy some more Pokemon cards.

Don’t worry I’m still in primary school and intend to graduate.