A businesswoman whose daughter inspired a revolutionary new line of dolls has starred in a new Amazon Prime Show. 

Yeadon mum Olivia Thompson’s Akila Dolls come in a variety of skin tones, hair textures, and international-inspired clothing. 

Olivia left school at 16 and finished a National Diploma in Uniformed Public Services at York College. 

She then went on to university, but dropped out after a year. 

With no marketing background, she raised £6,000 to make her prototype dolls after working with the Prince’s Trust and the NatWest startup programme. 

The 32-year-old single mum is now one of ten early-stage entrepreneurs from around the world featured on series, Ready Set StartUp.

Ready Set StartUp shows Olivia competing in various challenges within the series before being judged by business gurus, including Monzo founder Tom Blomfield. 

The show will stream across the world from May 17 on Amazon Prime.

Olivia, who is Afro-Caribbean, said: “Akila Dolls is a start-up which currently has prototype dolls that celebrate African and Caribbean culture. Our dolls are designed to inspire children of colour by reflecting their beauty and culture.

“Growing up I never had a doll that looked like me or reflected my culture. I wanted to create a brand that celebrates our beauty, and empowers young girls to be proud of who they are.”

She added: “We as women can be much more, we juggle childcare, we are mothers and care givers, and also business women.” 

Each doll comes with its own story book that educates children about the doll they are playing with.

Olivia, who lives with her one-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, said the dolls were inspired by her daughter’s obsession and love for dolls.

Olivia said: “Aged six, she was diagnosed with autism. She struggles with social interaction, restrictive behaviour, and many other symptoms. 

“As a mother, it was important for me to support her, and a lot of her education was based on role-play learning. She loves to interact with her dolls.

“It has become apparent to me, and more so now as a parent, that diverse dolls were and are still massively underrepresented within the UK toy industry. I believe it is extremely important that not just my daughter, but that every boy and girl can see dolls on retailers’ shelves, that both look like them and relate to their cultures and beliefs. The only way we can do this is with new toys and books. 

“A greater diversity of the toy’s children play with will have a greater impact on how they perceive themselves, and others.”