Ozgur Yilmaz is an Entrepreneur, Investor, and Business Coach.
Born in Kütahya, Turkey, Ozgur had a strong desire from an early age to become independent and create a better world. Initially dreaming of moving to the United States, he encountered obstacles that made the journey difficult. Instead, he chose to move to the UK after graduating from high school, with plans to study business at university.
Arriving in the UK with just £270, Ozgur took on various labor-intensive jobs to make ends meet and fund his education. From working in a textile factory to being a doorman, waiter, and eventually a restaurant manager, these experiences taught him that life itself is the greatest teacher. This realization led him to forgo formal education and embrace the path of entrepreneurship.
During his career journey, Ozgur met his wife, started a family, and found his purpose in building a better world in the UK. Eager to expand his knowledge of the food industry, he joined a wholesale company, working his way up from warehouse operative and delivery driver to sales manager. His leadership skills, combined with hard work and discipline, allowed him to thrive in his career.
In 2003, after gaining years of valuable experience, Ozgur decided it was time to start his own business with a group of friends. Within six months of launching the food distribution company, they entered a joint venture with one of Turkey’s largest conglomerates, Sabanci Holding. This three-and-a-half-year partnership provided Ozgur with deep insights into the workings of a corporate business. When the joint venture ended, Ozgur continued as Managing Director and shareholder, applying his knowledge and experience to drive exponential growth in the company.
In 2016, eager to further strengthen his expertise, Ozgur pursued an MBA, aiming to deepen his understanding of business theory.
Today, Ozgur manages two wholesale food businesses in the UK: Expo Foods Midlands and Dragon London. Expo Foods provides distribution services to independent retailers, offering a wide range of branded products, while Dragon London focuses on food distribution and serves as a holding company for his other ventures. Additionally, Ozgur owns several businesses overseas.
In 2021, he launched Journey Begins Coaching, an online business coaching platform, to mentor and guide other businesses toward success.
