How key women in Leeds made it to the top of their professions

The Leeds leisure industry is the most bouyant it has ever been and is being powered by women. For International Women’s Day, City Buzz and PR guru Jordan Odu put questions to six of the sector’s most influential women.

Jenny McPhee, Head of Brand for bar and restaurant, The Alchemist.

Jenny McPhee

1)What was your very first job? Working for my friend’s mum’s catering company as a server. We used to eat all the canapes for the event in the back which was fun. It was my first experience of hospitality and I always assumed it would be my last.2) Which job, or person has had the biggest influence on your career? My first role at The Alchemist Trinity, I had previously worked in finance and the pace and environment could not be further apart. I am totally in awe of the bar teams on a Friday and Saturday when we have guests three deep at the bar and they are multi serving five people at once.3) What are the biggest challenges you have found in the workplace? I’m quite an impatient person, so get frustrated when things don’t happen immediately. Getting used to other people’s working styles and compromising at times is crucial.4) Away from the office, what is your idea of a perfect day off? Whenever I’m not in Leeds I spend a lot of time in London. A perfect day off would start with a run, catching up with friends for a late brunch at Dishoom. I love wandering around the many galleries or just the city in general. I would finish the day off eating Mexican food and drinking Margaritas in El Pastor which is one of my favourite restaurants in Borough market.5) Favourite bar in Leeds? Other than The Alchemist, it has to be The Domino or newly opened Death & Taxes.6) Best place to eat in Leeds? My favourite restaurant is Tattu,7) Your Leeds hidden gem? I love Laynes espresso, it’s my favourite coffee in the city.8) Top tip for a woman to be successful in business? Find a mentor, have a look at other successful women or men you admire in your industry that may be further along in their career. Reach out to suggest a coffee meet every few months. They may be able to advise you on certain challenges or situations.

Deborah, De Vittoris, director of Pink Gorilla and Hairy Lemon and owner of Oracle.

Deborah De Vittoris

1) What was your very first job? Washing pots and counting bags of pasta in my parent’s restaurant at 12 years-old. My first ‘proper’ job was at the Town and Country Club as their PR and Marketing Manager.2) Which job, or person has had the biggest influence on how your career? Without doubt my parents. They came to the UK from Italy in their early 20s with nothing and opened a small café bar, then a successful restaurant and a nightclub.3) What are the biggest challenges you have found in the workplace? When I first set up my own business I worked in a predominately male industry, so my biggest challenge was to be taken seriously and not be ignored. I’ve also found it difficult to balance my home and work life.4) Away from the office, what is your idea of a perfect day off? Due to my lifestyle, I’ve made a choice not to have children, but instead I have my chihuahua ‘fur babies’ so when I do have some downtime, my idea of heaven is being at home with my dogs, eating chocolate whilst watching the latest trashy reality TV or Corrie on catch up.5) Favourite bar in Leeds? As a self-confessed party girl, I have been going “out ” for over 30 years so my dancing days are well and truly over...well nearly. My favourite bar has to be the Kori bar at Issho - I adore the chilled vibe and decor of the terrace.6) Best place to eat in Leeds? I’m not really a ‘foodie’ and being a vegetarian (trying my very hardest to be Vegan) and non-cooking Italian has been somewhat of a disappointment to my traditional Italian mother. However, I love the Pan Pacific food at Issho, I’m a sucker for a Yo Sushi and am quite partial to a nut roast on a Sunday at Boundary House in Methley or Arts Café on Call Lane.7) Your Leeds hidden gem? It has to be Leeds Market! I love the flower stall in there and it’s great for things such as fabrics and other event must haves.8) Top tip for a woman to be successful in business? Be determined, driven and have lots of self-belief and confidence. Don’t be afraid to take risks or make mistakes.

Laura Wellington, Commercial Interior Designer / Co-Founder of Duke Studios.

Laura Wellington

1)What was your first job?A Saturday Girl at a hair salon in Swansea when I was 12. My parents had a printing business and took me to work in school holidays.2) Which job, or person has had the biggest influence on how your career? I’ve had a vast array of jobs from call centres to graphic design studio to bars and theatres. I wouldn’t say any particular one has been the biggest influence but I have picked up info and learned so much from all those without realising at the time just how great the knowledge that I learned was.3) What are the biggest challenges you have found in the workplace? In the work I do across the city it can be challenging to create change. I’m often seen as a creative woman in business amongst a sea of suits that maybe don’t really understand what we do or our passion and drive for making the city a better place. Design thinking and community building isn’t at the fore of everyone’s mind and sometimes it’s seen as the fluffy extra rather than the fundamentals of place making.4) Away from the office, what is your idea of a perfect day off? Being at home in Swansea at my mum’s house near the beach. Coffee and a lazy breakfast, long beach walk in the afternoon and then an evening of wine.5) Favourite bar in Leeds? Sheaf St is genuinely my favourite bar but if I had to go with where we hang out it would be Wharf Chambers.6) Best place to eat in Leeds? Ira B’s in Roundhay.7) Your Leeds hidden gem? Potternewton Park in Chapeltown.8) Top tip for a woman to be successful in business? Be true to yourself, work hard, be nice to people, stick to your guns, empower others,don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Lisa Turton, Head of Sales and Hospitality at the firstdirect arena Leeds.

Lisa Turton

1) What was your very first job? Apart from charging my childhood friends money to come into my garden and watch me dance it was babysitting for neighbours and also a local paper round to keep me in Smash Hits magazines. My first real job as an adult was bar work.2) Which job or person has had the biggest influence on how your career? I worked as the Events and Interpretation Manager at the Royal Armouries Museum for five years. This was my first real career role as it had taken me ages to decide what I wanted to do. This role gave me a passion for the entertainment industry, helping people have an amazing day and enjoy an event was a great buzz.3) What are the biggest challenges you have found in the workplace? Keeping things new, current and creative in terms of our offers, products and what we do for our clients.You are only as good as your last event.4) Away from the office, what is your idea of a perfect day off? Spending time with my family and friends, catching up with them, going for food and drink or having a gathering at someone’s house. I also love days at the seaside and lazing on the sofa keeping up with the Kardashians!5) Favourite bar in Leeds? Mojo’s, Verve, The Wardrobe and Wax Bar6) Best place to eat in Leeds? I love Zapp, My Thai and Thai Aroy Dee – can you see a theme here!7) Your Leeds hidden gem? Swiss Cottage Antiques on Burley Road – great for finding hidden gems, trinkets and treasures.8) Top tip for a woman to be successful in business? Never give up, believe in yourself and always have integrity.

Sofia Rebelo, Director at Rebel Solutions.

Sofia Rebelo

1)What was your very first job? Part-time waitress (Portugal) at a local family owned restaurant. As a graduate being invited to be part of a team that developed and shaped a new educational institute in Macau.2) Which job, or person has had the biggest influence on your career? Dr. Manuel Caldeira Pais, the Director of The Estoril Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotel Studies, Portugal.He took the time to listen and knew us as individuals and asked me to give him and the programme another 6 months, when I was wondering as a fresher, if I had made the right choice3) What are the biggest challenges you have found in the workplace? Fitting into the rigid and sometimes bureaucratic rules of being in a “box”, and doing what seems to be what has to be done, because that is “how we have always done it”.4)Away from the office, what is your idea of a perfect day off? Spending time with family and friends5) Favourite bar in Leeds? The hardest question to answer as we have so many in Leeds.But the last two bars which I went to and admire for their innovative approach are - The Hedonist Project and Death&Taxes6) Best place to eat in Leeds? Always a classic Art’s Cafe7) Your Leeds hidden gem? Shopping in the iconic and historic arcades of Leeds, Kirkgate Market, reading a book with a cuppa in Park Square on a sunny afternoon.8) Top tip for a woman to be successful in business? Be true to yourself, embrace your femininity and don’t be afraid to show your emotions as these shape and distinguish us, even when this may seem a challenge it does in the long run, definitely pay off.

Seema Dihman, Owner of Leeds’ sports bar Brotherhood.

Seema Dihman

1)What was your very first job? Glass collector in a little village pub at 14 years old.2) Which job, or person has had the biggest influence on how your career? My dad. He always told me I could always achieve anything I ever went for, I never believed him but he proved me right.3) What are the biggest challenges you have found in the workplace? Opening my first new bar The Brotherhood, getting the money together and realising the enormity of opening a venue on your own.4)Away from the office, what is your idea of a perfect day off? In a New York dive bar, bottle of Jamesons and good tunes5) Favourite bar in Leeds? Mojo and Hedonist6) Best place to eat in Leeds? I love to venture out to Zucco in Meanwood, the food and service is always amazing.7) Your Leeds hidden gem? Nails 17 in Roundhay, best nails in Yorkshire and the girls are loads of fun.8) Top tip for a woman to be successful in business? Never stop believing and believe this applies to everyone, you pick yourself up and come back stronger than before.