“PBC gave me the clarity and confidence to take my business to the next level.”

For many creative founders, vision comes first and structure follows later. For Tilly, that vision was shaped long before her brand existed. Raised in Transylvania, she grew up in an environment where resourcefulness, craftsmanship and sustainability were part of everyday life. Reuse was not a trend but a necessity, a mindset that would later become the foundation of her work as a luxury upcycling designer. Today, she transforms discarded materials into statement pieces that carry both artistic and ethical value.

By the time Tilly approached Portobello Business Centre (PBC), she had already established a strong creative identity and a distinctive aesthetic. Her designs were bold, considered and deeply personal, but like many early-stage founders, she found herself at a crossroads. She knew what she wanted to create, but needed expert guidance to translate her creative vision into a sustainable and scalable business. What she was seeking was not a one-size-fits-all solution, but grounded, practical support that could provide clarity, structure and direction.

As Tilly explains, “I needed guidance to put together a clear business plan and to work with someone who could help me gain direction and a deeper understanding of my brand and business, particularly around product pricing, business structure and long-term growth.”

She discovered PBC through her own research. “I searched for local business support online and found the PBC. Being based in Notting Hill, it felt like the perfect local fit immediately.” That initial connection marked the beginning of a significant shift in how she approached her business.

Setting Intentions and Building Structure

When Tilly began working with mentor David Taylor, she came with clear objectives. “My goals were to review my take-home targets, understand my true costs and improve my pricing strategy. I also wanted to reshape my 90-day plan so I could focus on the activities that would actually grow my business.” This clarity allowed the mentoring process to remain focused and effective from the outset.

Much of the early work centred on strengthening the financial foundations of her business. “Going back to basics with my finances was a huge breakthrough,” she reflects. By understanding her real costs, time investment and pricing structure, Tilly gained the clarity she had previously been missing.

This financial grounding opened the door to more strategic conversations about long-term growth. “Getting clarity on production possibilities in Transylvania, exploring the transition from Wix to Shopify and having structured goals to follow all made a big difference,” she says. Over time, she developed new capabilities that reshaped how she approached her brand. “I’ve learned how to build a content reservoir, create a simple and effective pricing strategy and better understand my business model. Most importantly, I’ve gained confidence in making informed decisions for my brand.” This shift from uncertainty to informed control became one of the most valuable outcomes of her journey with PBC.

The Origins of a Purpose-Led Brand

Tilly’s creative philosophy remains deeply personal. “I wanted to demonstrate that upcycling can be elevated into true luxury fashion,” she explains. “Growing up in Transylvania, recycling was a natural part of everyday life and I wanted to merge that ethos with high-quality craftsmanship to create wearable art pieces with meaning and longevity.” Heritage, craftsmanship and sustainability continue to sit at the core of her work.

Achievements That Stretch Across Continents

Her designs have since reached audiences across the world. “Seeing my upcycled pieces showcased internationally across the US, Canada, Australia, Iceland and throughout Europe, including Budapest, Transylvania, Milan, Paris and London, through fashion shows, exhibitions and art installations has been incredibly rewarding,” Tilly reflects. “Each time someone connects emotionally with my work, it reminds me why I started.”

Advice for Other Entrepreneurs

We are incredibly proud of how far Tilly has come. After seeing the impact of the initial mentoring, she chose to continue working with PBC as a paying client to ensure consistent support and to further strengthen the foundations of her business. Her advice to others considering a PBC programme is simple and direct: “Go for it. The guidance is practical, personalised and grounded in real experience. If you want clarity, structure and the confidence to grow your business, PBC gives you exactly that.”