Leeds-based global e-commerce company Tilz Prosperitas Limited is on track to treble turnover to £9m and grow its team to 20 employees by 2029 — a transformation driven by tailored business growth support, leadership development and export guidance from West Yorkshire Business Boost (WYBB), delivered by Exemplas with Leeds Beckett University and West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Key Outcomes at a glance
- On track for £4.5m Turnover by Jan 2026 and targeted to £9m by 2029
- Export sales now 50% of turnover, exporting across Europe and North America
- 15 employees (full & part-time), with target increase to 20 employees by 2029
- Trade loans secured £200,00
About Tilz Prosperitas Limited
Tilz Prosperitas Limited is a Leeds-based global e-commerce and B2B company dedicated to scaling brands, connecting markets and driving international trade.
Founded in 2017 by Tayo Adebisi with just £5,000 of start-up capital, the business began by selling locally sourced toys in the UK before evolving into TilzMart an online store offering furniture, toys and garden products. In 2021, the flagship brand TilzCollection launched, specialising in food and beverage products in seasonal gifting formats.
Today, Tilz employs seven full-time and eight part-time staff from its Leeds warehouse and exports to the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France and North America. Export sales currently account for 50% of turnover, a figure projected to grow to 65% by 2029.
The Challenge: Scaling an Ambitious SME for Global Markets
Tayo Adebisi’s entrepreneurial journey began from personal adversity. Having experienced workplace stress and anxiety, she left her employment and, inspired by a relative’s suggestion to sell products on Amazon, launched Tilz from scratch. With a clear vision to build a household gifting brand and a growing ambition to trade internationally, Tayo needed structured support to move from founder-led resilience to strategic, scalable growth.
When her husband Dr Oladipo Adewale joined as Managing Director in May 2024, the leadership team recognised they needed expert guidance on export strategy, leadership development and operational capacity to realise their ambitious growth plans.
The WYBB Solution: University-Validated, Evidence -Based Business Support
West Yorkshire Business Boost, delivered by Exemplas with Leeds Beckett University and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, provided Tilz with a multi-strand programme of publicly funded business support spanning growth diagnostics, leadership coaching, export strategy and grant funding:
- Growth Diagnostic & Action Planning: WYBB Growth Specialist Caroline Kindy worked with Tilz to conduct a multi-factor Growth Diagnostic exploring Ambition, Opportunity and Capacity – producing a bespoke Growth Action Plan. A grant funded engagement with James Lennon, a retail and e-commerce consultant with 40 years’ experience, to deliver strategic road-mapping for wholesale and e-commerce expansion.
- Leadership Programme: Oladipo Adewale was matched with approved business coach Rachel Stirling through the WYBB Leadership Programme, strengthening his leadership skills and enabling the recruitment of a Sales Director and two Sales Representatives.
- Leading Growth Programme: In 2025, Tayo secured a place on the Leading Growth Programme, linking learning to a Change Project to develop a new e-commerce consulting and third-party logistics (3PL) service.
- Export Programme: Paired with WYBB Export Manager Karla Tun, Tilz developed a sustainable international growth plan. Grants funded attendance at two German trade shows, and a connection with the Department for Business and Trade resulted in the successful securing of trade loans worth up to £200,000 to meet European demand and expand into North America.
Measurable Impact: The Results of Government-Funded Business Support
The impact of this publicly funded business support programme is measurable and compelling. Tilz has achieved £3.5m turnover in the current financial year (February 2025 to January 2026) and is on track to reach £4.5m by January 2026. The business is targeting £9m turnover and a team of 20 by 2029.
Future growth plans include expanding B2B sales across the EU and USA, establishing physical store partnerships, broadening product ranges to include year-round items, exploring markets in Australia, China and Mexico, and launching an e-commerce consultancy. Tilz will also fully utilise its 8,000 sq ft facility to provide 3PL services including warehousing, inventory management, order fulfilment and transportation support.
“The support we’ve received has enabled us to focus on developing critical strategies for growth in a competitive landscape. We’ve gained access to expert guidance, allowing us to refine our export strategy, adopt innovative approaches and strengthen leadership capacity. This has been instrumental in enhancing our resilience and expanding market reach.”
Tayo Adebisi, Founder and CEO, Tilz Prosperitas Limited
“Tilz is a shining example of how great vision, leadership and innovation can play a key role in building operational stability and driving business growth. I’m confident that with this new insight, Tayo and Ola will meet their ambitious plans to treble turnover.”
Caroline Kindy, Growth Specialist, West Yorkshire Business Boost
Inclusive Growth: Championing Diversity in Business Support
Tayo Adebisi is a passionate advocate for female founders and ethnic minority entrepreneurs. Alongside growing Tilz, she is building an e-commerce platform, due to launch in April, working with the Department for Business and Trade across Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and India. The portal will support digital enterprise and reduce trade barriers by connecting global entrepreneurs and start-ups with the UK market, directly aligned with WYBB’s mission to ensure equal access to publicly funded business support programmes.
About West Yorkshire Business Boost
West Yorkshire Business Boost is a publicly funded SME business support programme, funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Delivered by Exemplas, one of the UK’s leading business support organisations, wholly owned by the University of Hertfordshire, in collaboration with Leeds Beckett University, Chamber International, and Medilink North of England, WYBB combines university-validated, evidence-based business advice with targeted support to drive measurable economic returns.
Tilz is one of more than 500 SMEs to have benefited from the programme.
Across the last two years, WYBB has generated:
- £16 for every £1 of public investment,
- Created 350 new jobs,
- Safeguarded 940 jobs, and
- Co-invested £972,000 by leveraging public funding with private capital.
Media Coverage