‘I own 11 homes but still work my day job at Sainsbury’s’

Ayobami Akeju, a 23-year-old Sainsbury’s worker, has built a £1.2m property portfolio with 11 homes across the UK, balancing dreams with a day job.
Ayobami Akeju. (Picture: Jam Press)

A supermarket worker has shared how he bought nine homes in the past year – but still works at Sainsbury’s.

Ayobami Akeju, 23, has a portfolio worth £1.2m with 11 properties in total across the country.

Despite his investments, he still has a regular 9 to 5 warehouse worker job at the supermarket chain in south east London, to keep making his property dreams come true.

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“I have not treated myself to anything, I live very frugally and remain highly disciplined,” Ayobami, originally from Dartford, Kent, told Absolutely Business.

Ayobami Akeju, a 23-year-old Sainsbury’s worker, has built a £1.2m property portfolio with 11 homes across the UK, balancing dreams with a day job.
Ayobami Akeju. (Picture: Jam Press)

“When I was 20 I made a three, five and 10-year plan, which I will not deviate from.

“I still have my day job at Sainsbury’s, where I work 40 hours a week.

Ayobami Akeju, a 23-year-old Sainsbury’s worker, has built a £1.2m property portfolio with 11 homes across the UK, balancing dreams with a day job.
Ayobami Akeju’s Sainsburys ID. (Picture: Jam Press)

“When I leave I will definitely miss the management who’ve not only been flexible with my work schedule but also very supportive in growing my business.

“I’m here to do whatever is required of me to win and make the future versions of myself proud of the work that past and present me did.

“For me, age 20 to age 25 is the season to work like hell, block out all the noise, distractions and temptations.

Ayobami Akeju, a 23-year-old Sainsbury’s worker, has built a £1.2m property portfolio with 11 homes across the UK, balancing dreams with a day job.
Ayobami Akeju aged 15. (Picture: Jam Press)

“There will be a time will come for me to enjoy but that time is not now, especially as I don’t believe in balance.”

It’s not all been plain sailing; the worker suffers from migraines and is often under pressure due to having an intense workload.

Ayobami has turned his pennies into pounds by working with private investors.

“I’ve been able to grow quickly by working with private investors who invest into my property deals for a return on their money.

“As opposed to leaving their funds sat in the bank, which would decrease in value due to inflation.

“To date, I have raised £828,000 of investment for my property deals.”

Ayobami has homes in Hull, East Yorkshire and Carlisle; he has purchased seven properties in the latter.

Ayobami Akeju, a 23-year-old Sainsbury’s worker, has built a £1.2m property portfolio with 11 homes across the UK, balancing dreams with a day job.
Ayobami Akeju. (Picture: Jam Press)

He tends to go for portfolios of properties instead of buying singular purchases as “It’s a faster and more efficient way to scale.”

Each home ranges in value from £95,000 to £220,000.

The property whizz purchased his first property in 2022 after working three day jobs at Sainsbury’s, ASDA and Kaplan Care, a care home company, as well as moonlighting at Amazon.

He said: “I remember in 2021, while working at Sainsbury’s during the day I did night shifts at Amazon.

“And there was a period I went three days straight without sleeping.

“This journey has been extremely tough but I’d do it all again.

“I look back fondly at every job I have ever worked at, no matter how difficult it may have been.”

Despite his impressive property portfolio, Ayobami still feels like he’s not doing enough.

Ayobami Akeju, a 23-year-old Sainsbury’s worker, has built a £1.2m property portfolio with 11 homes across the UK, balancing dreams with a day job.
Ayobami Akeju. (Picture: Jam Press)

He said: “There’s always a nagging voice telling me that I’m not doing enough, there’s still more work to be done and more to accomplish – and that voice is right.

“I have goals I’m working towards, which I’m very far from, so in my mind I have still achieved nothing.

“The work never ends, I am on a mission.“I’ve done all this at 23 years old – whilst still having a day job at Sainsbury’s.

“I will never retire – I love the sport of business and will continue to build.”

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