Making her mark with custom labels
FAITH MTWANA
Patricia Tiltmann’s business Tilty Treausres offers all types of personalised labels which are perfect for school pupils’ needs, and more.
What service do you offer?
Personalised satin ribbon printing, sew-in and iron-on labels, back-to-school labels, branding labels and various other sewing projects.
How and when did you decide to start your business?
During Covid-19 I began thinking about what I would like to do when I retire from formal employment.
Sewing had always been a hobby of mine, so I initially started with a few sewing projects on the side.
Lots of things transpired between then and my retirement in 2024, including an opportunity that arose to buy a small printing business, which I jumped at and started developing as part of Tilty Treasures.
How did you learn how to create your labels?
Initially I had assistance from the seller, but I have also had continuous support from the company supplying the printing products.
What are some of the most popular types of labels?
Back-to-school labels are very popular, especially the wrap-around labels for pens, pencils, and pencil crayons.
All school stationery needs to be labelled and often parents want a one-stop-shop. I have also had good demand for customised brand stickers and satin ribbon labels, for businesses like Airbnbs.
Do you work alone?
Yes, I work alone from my home office.
What has the customer support been like for your business?
The support from the East London community has been really positive, and I also have a few out-of-town clients. It’s been exciting. The support is growing month by month. It’s good to get word-of-mouth referrals.
Are there any challenges you have encountered in your business, and how do you overcome them?
Last-minute orders are always a challenge, but I try to accommodate everyone to the best of my ability.
Advertising remains a challenge The back-to-school season is very busy, but it’s a thrill to service all my clients according to their needs.
It’s back-to-school time. What offerings do you have?
I have various label packages suitable for school situations, or labels that can be custom-ordered for specific or unusual applications.
What are some of the goals or future plans you have for your business?
I would love to be a go-to option for our local community and for Tilty Treasures to become a more well-known brand in East London. I am committed to offering the best service I can to my clients, and this shows in my attention to detail and my customer interaction, and after-sales service.
As new and different orders come in, so does my scope and reach. I focus on sorting out problems as they arise and look to make each client feel special and satisfied with my service.
What advice do you have for someone who is interested in starting their own business?
There will always be a head and heart component. Do it. Be brave and step out of your comfort zone a little.
Be confident in your own abilities, you may surprise yourself.
Show tenacity in the face of discouragement. Offer good customer service and your business will grow, but also make plans, get advice and leverage the support and expertise of friends and family.
I love what I do, and every bit of positive feedback I get from my clients is a boost.
How can our readers contact you?
Tilty Treasures is located in Bonnie Doon, East London.
WhatsApp 083- 559-0460.
Facebook: Tilty Treasures 
