About Us
The faces behind the magic
Black Lotus Markets is run by two women who just love a good market.
OUR STORY
From traders to organisers
Amy and Janine didn't just attend the markets at Temple Newsam, they traded there too. Both were regular stallholders at Boogle Markets, so when Janine was approached to take over in December 2024, she knew exactly who to call.
Eighteen months later, Black Lotus Markets is very much a thing.
We took something we loved as traders and visitors and built it into something we're proud of as organisers. Both of us are passionate about helping people grow their businesses and giving independent traders a proper platform to get in front of real customers. That's at the heart of everything we do.
Every event is run with the same thing in mind: brilliant traders, happy visitors and a genuine sense of community.
THE TEAM
Meet the people behind Black Lotus Markets
Amy Mandelj
Co-Founder (The Good Cop)
Also owner of
Amy Mandelj Growth & Empowerment Services
Amy Mandelj
Co-Founder (The Good Cop)
Also owner of
Amy Mandelj Growth & Empowerment Services
Amy is the organised, people pleasing good cop keeping everything on track behind the scenes. If something needs planning, writing, organising or executing, she's already three steps ahead.
Alongside Black Lotus Markets, Amy runs A Tinchy Bit of Sparkle, a crystal and spiritual gift business stocking everything from crystal towers, bracelets and necklaces to oracle cards, positive affirmation jars, incense holders and original artwork.
She also runs A&T Office Admin Solutions, Let's Get Shit Done Together and Amy Mandelj Growth & Empowerment Services, her coaching and mentoring practice. Amy knows what it takes to run a small business because she's doing it across multiple ventures at once, and that experience feeds directly into how Black Lotus Markets is run.
Amy is the organised, people pleasing good cop keeping everything on track behind the scenes. If something needs planning, writing, organising or executing, she's already three steps ahead.
Alongside Black Lotus Markets, Amy runs A Tinchy Bit of Sparkle, a crystal and spiritual gift business stocking everything from crystal towers, bracelets and necklaces to oracle cards, positive affirmation jars, incense holders and original artwork.
She also runs A&T Office Admin Solutions, Let's Get Shit Done Together and Amy Mandelj Growth & Empowerment Services, her coaching and mentoring practice. Amy knows what it takes to run a small business because she's doing it across multiple ventures at once, and that experience feeds directly into how Black Lotus Markets is run.
Janine Nichol
Janine is the fiery, no nonsense bad cop of the duo. Don't let that fool you though. She is one of the most passionate people you'll meet when it comes to supporting independent businesses and building real community.
She runs Lilith's Empowerment, her own magical business specialising in spell work, small animal reiki, dark energy work and self empowerment. Having traded at markets herself for years, she knows exactly what stallholders need from an organiser and makes sure every trader at Black Lotus Markets feels supported, fairly treated, and set up for a great day.
Janine is based in Ripon and brings fire, heart, and zero tolerance for nonsense to everything she does.
Janine is the fiery, no nonsense bad cop of the duo. Don't let that fool you though. She is one of the most passionate people you'll meet when it comes to supporting independent businesses and building real community.
She runs Lilith's Empowerment, her own magical business specialising in spell work, small animal reiki, dark energy work and self empowerment. Having traded at markets herself for years, she knows exactly what stallholders need from an organiser and makes sure every trader at Black Lotus Markets feels supported, fairly treated, and set up for a great day.
Janine is based in Ripon and brings fire, heart, and zero tolerance for nonsense to everything she does.
THE WIDER TEAM
The people who help make it happen
Richard Marley
Janine's partner and an absolute legend on setup and takedown days. Richard is our chief fixer, helps secure gazebos, and will happily muck in with loading and unloading where needed. We genuinely couldn't do it without him.
Richard Marley
Janine's partner and an absolute legend on setup and takedown days. Richard is our chief fixer, helps secure gazebos, and will happily muck in with loading and unloading where needed. We genuinely couldn't do it without him.
Tyler Mandelj
Amy's son Tyler is on hand at every event helping control the traffic first and then helping stallholders unload and load their cars and getting gazebos up. One of those people who just gets stuck in and makes the whole day run smoother for everyone. When he isn't being a grumpy teen, obviously.
Tyler Mandelj
Amy's son Tyler is on hand at every event helping control the traffic first and then helping stallholders unload and load their cars and getting gazebos up. One of those people who just gets stuck in and makes the whole day run smoother for everyone. When he isn't being a grumpy teen, obviously.
Together
Between us we bring the trader experience, the organisational muscle, the community focus and the occasional donkey. We're proud of what Black Lotus Markets has become and we're just getting started.