Tilly and Ted – Scaling a High-End Homeware Business
An online luxury homeware store based in Cheshire has secured funding to accelerate its growth and expand its operations.
About Tilly and Ted
Founded by Louise Ward during the Covid-19 pandemic, Tilly and Ted bridges the gap between high-end furnishings and mid-range price points. Louise, a former cabin crew professional, embraced her passion for interior design and started the business from her garage in Lymm after stepping back from her career to raise her children.
What began as a small-scale venture quickly gained momentum. To meet growing demand, Louise transitioned to using an external fulfilment centre, enabling the business to achieve a 53% year-on-year increase in turnover.
Securing Funding for Growth
To scale operations and improve profit margins, Louise worked with GC Business Finance to secure a £55,000 loan through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) – Smaller Loans, delivered in partnership with River Capital.
Future Plans
With the funding in place, Tilly and Ted is poised for its next growth phase. Louise plans to:
- Expand Operations: Hire a part-time team member to manage social media and customer service, enhancing the brand’s digital marketing strategy.
- Boost Product Range: Extend the website's offerings to attract a broader audience.
- Explore International Markets: Begin preparations to take the business beyond the UK.
This strategic investment will allow Tilly and Ted to scale efficiently, build on its success, and reach new markets.
"From a passion project that started in my garage, I’m incredibly proud of how far Tilly and Ted has come," said Louise Ward.
"I've always loved interior design, but never considered turning it into a career. However, with the right support I’ve been able to grow Tilly and Ted to be a financially viable, successful business."
She added: "It’s now all about scaling my business further to increase margins, and it was clear I needed external finance to do this. Alison and the GC Business Finance team have been a great help, not only helping me to secure funding through NPIF II, but also giving me invaluable advice and making the whole process simple. There’s plenty to be excited about at Tilly and Ted, and I can’t wait to see what we achieve next."
Alison Darkes, Investment Manager at GC Business Finance, said: "Louise exemplifies what it means to be an entrepreneur, spotting a gap in the market and turning one of her long-held passions into a successful business. By working closely with Louise, it was evident how much opportunity there was in Tilly and Ted, and we wanted to help her unlock this. By securing essential funding through NPIF II, Louise will be able to increase margins on products and ensure growth for the long-term. I look forward to seeing what’s next for Tilly and Ted.”
Sue Barnard, Senior Manager at British Business Bank, said: "NPIF II is all about helping ambitious entrepreneurs and founders to grow their businesses and drive growth. We want to ensure every type of business is able to access capital, no matter their sector or history. Tilly and Ted is a great example of this, using the funding to scale and create jobs in the Northern economy."