A Yorkshire man has turned his hobby into his dream business selling toys and collectibles as he opens his own shop in Leeds.
Adam Marshall opened his new store The Collectors Universe in Central Arcade on Saturday (October 22).
The business, located on the second floor, sells toys and collectibles such as Funko Pops, Hot Wheels and more.
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The former warehouse owner started off his hobby by collecting Funko Pops - small figurines - in 2018 but when he was furloughed at the beginning of the first lockdown, he began to sell them as a way to make money.
However, he made this his full time job when he was made redundant as of October 2020.
“I was working in a warehouse for office uniforms and casual wear,” he told LeedsLive. “During the first lockdown after being put on furlough I started buying and selling Funko pops as a way to earn a bit of extra money and to keep myself busy. After being made redundant in October 2020 I made buying and selling my full time job.
“Towards the back end of 2021, we decided to open a shop and bring something really special to the city. It has taken about 10 months to get everything sorted but to turn my hobby into a business is a dream come true.”
Adam, who has worked a range of jobs in pet stores, warehouses, and even the RSCPA over the years, never thought he would have his own business.
His brother, even volunteered to help him set up the business in his spare time, after being let go from his own job.
Speaking about how it feels to have his own businesses, he continued: “It feels great to have my own business.
“In Keighley, half the shops are gone, Bradford is going down the same way but Leeds is the only viable option, it’s always busy.
“To be honest I thought I would be working for someone else for the rest of my life in a minimum wage job. I’ve liked most of the jobs. At the end of the day its a job and it pays the bills. You do what you can to pay the bills.”
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