This Leeds woman quit her unhappy job – now she makes millions on Amazon
From selling items out of her kitchens to setting her sights on her first billion, this woman from Morley is an inspiration to all those who are unhappy in their current role
Omotayo Adebisihas come a long way since making the decision to quit her unhappy job. Now, she makes millions selling products online through Amazon and has her sights set on her first billion pound turnover.
In 2017, having not long gone back to work after having her first child, Omotayo found herself suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression. She was feeling unhappy there and at the time thought that she wasn't really suited for business, describing herself as more of a family person.
Then, one day she received a call to say her daughter had been taken to hospital and everything capitulated after she was told she wasn't allowed to leave the office to go to her sick child.
“For the rest of the day, I was literally in tears," she said, speaking to the YEP.
“The way I see it is that anything could have happened, she could have died, and I wouldn't be there."
That was the moment she and her husband decided it was time for a change - and she decided to take some time off and focus on other things.
It wasn't long before a family member suggested she try her hand at Amazon selling, and whilst she was quite sure she wasn't mentally ready to go back into the world of work her husband was intrigued and started looking into the idea.
Thinking it would be a good distraction for his wife, now pregnant with their second child, he encouraged her and after some serious trial and error, they found a niche that worked for them: selling seasonal toys, hampers, and gifts as an independant Amazon retailer.
Starting small, throughout 2017 Omotayo was operating her business out of the kitchen of her family home in Morley. However, it wasn't long until she realised she needed to expand and start looking at warehouses - prompted in part by an opportunistic burglary that happened right under her nose.
By 2018, the business had taken over the whole house: the kitchen. living room, garage, "everything." But the final kick to move things up a notch came when, that same year, Omotayo had her goods out on the drive all boxed and ready to go out for delivery with UPS when a van full of lads pulled over and stole it all right off the drive.
That was the final straw, she says, and they started looking for warehouse space the very next day. Settling on The Storage Room in Beeston, once they moved into their new premises everything kicked up a notch again.
Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Now, she employs eight permanent staff and as many as twenty seasonal workers to help her with her online Amazon shop in busy periods. Having now hit over a million pounds on her yearly turnover, she's got her eyes on more: with plans to expand from retail-only into manufacturing too.
The next step, she says, is to start her own brand - something she initially wanted to do from the very beginning.
Becoming a manufacturer will enable that, and she's already started producing Tilzmart branded sports equipment and hampers, with plans to add more products as the business grows.
This year, it's estimated her company will turnover £3million - but she's not stopping there.
Omotayo confesses she still suffers from stress and anxiety and says it has taken "a lot of self-training and dedication" to get to this point. However, she's now got her eyes on a new prize, a billion-pound turnover, and she's not letting anything stop her.
It's an inspirational story, and one that - following the pandemic - is likely to resonate with many who may have made the decision to change jobs or retrain in another area after having some time to reflect and realise they're not as happy at work as they could be.
Let Omotayo's experience be a lesson: no matter how scary or hard pursuing a new path may seem, with dedication, focus and hard work anything is possible.
Feature image - Jonathan Gawthorpe.
News
Leeds foodies rejoice as much loved restaurant brings back their ‘legendary Pie Nights’
The Swine Bistro is bringing back one of its most-loved and hotly anticipated events; its legendary Pie Nights.
Is there anything more comforting in winter than a proper hearty pie? No, we don't think so either.
And there's no better place to go for one than the beloved Swine Bistro.
Since reopening and relocating to Otley Road, the Swine Bistro has been named amongst the Good Food Guide and SquareMeal’s Top 100 Best Local Restaurants, and it's not hard to see why.
The Swine Bistro excels in bold British flavours, slow-cooked comfort and generous, joy-filled cooking - and this is exactly what Pie Nights showcase.
Image: SuppliedImage: The Hoot Leeds
This season’s Pie Night menu includes a mix of rich, meat-led classics and inventive vegetable-led pies, all made in-house and served with the Swine Bistro’s signature warmth and homely hosting.
The pie line-up includes Beef Cheek & Ox Tail, Chicken, Leek & Tarragon, Artichoke, Ricotta, Portobello & Walnut and Fennel, Hispi Cabbage, Butter Bean & Old Winchester.
Or if you're coming as a group and you can all agree on the filling (hard, we know), there is the show-stopping Suet-Topped Venison, Red Wine & Bone Marrow Pie, which is good enough for the table of Henry VIII.
Jo Myers, cofounder of the Swine Bistro, said; “Our love of making and serving the finest pies are a huge part of our story. They’re about taking the time to cook things properly, slow braises, good pastry, big, bold flavours for people to enjoy together. It’s comfort food, Swine-style.”
Pie Nights at The Swine Bistro will run on selected dates, initially kicking off on Wednesday 11 February, with further dates to be added, and are priced from £24 per person.
To find out more and to book your table, visit their website here.
Leeds City Council to discuss five-year plan to help support the future of Kirkgate Market
Clementine Hall
Senior councillors will next week be asked to approve a five-year strategy designed to guide Leeds Kirkgate Market successfully.
The council’s previous strategy for the historic market covered the period 2021 to 2026 and helped deliver impressive results, including increased footfall, a diverse and vibrant range of new businesses and a multi-million pound refurbishment of the site’s historic ‘blockshops' area.
Plans have now been revealed that aim to maintain the beloved site and keep it on its currant upwards trajectory between 2026 and 2031.
The plan sets out a vision for the market’s continued success as an inclusive, attractive and sustainable place where independent retailers can thrive.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Key points to achieve this include:
The construction – subject to planning approval – of STACK Leeds, a ‘container-style’ food, drink and entertainment attraction proposed for part of the market’s outdoor trading area;
The development, subject to final approval once full costings have been secured and assessed, of a hotel and council-run public gym on the George Street side of the market;
The continuation and enhancement of the market’s free events programme for children and families, which has become an important driver of footfall – particularly during school holidays – and underlines its proud reputation as a place that caters for the Leeds community as a whole;
Committing appropriate funds to the upkeep and maintenance of the Grade I listed market building;
Widening the digital ‘reach’ of the market by further growing its already-strong following across various social media platforms while also helping traders raise their own online profiles.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader, said: “Leeds Kirkgate Market is a hugely important part of local life and it’s a real source of pride that we, as a council, have been able to support it so strongly over the last five years through a mix of investment and innovative thinking.
“Recovery from the effects of the pandemic has not been easy, but today the market is in good shape and ready to face the future with confidence. We know, though, that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and this new five-year strategy contains much to be excited about.
“My thanks to everyone at the market who took part in the consultation activity, it has played a vital role in the development of the strategy. Your support – and indeed the hard work and dedication that we see from traders and staff week in, week out – will help us ensure that Leeds Kirkgate Market continues to go from strength to strength.”
Georgina Pellant -
30th August 2021 
