Garden-focused e-commerce site funds growth with £350,000 Business Loan
- Eòsaph Macbeth
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Getpotted.com are a South East Midlands-based e-commerce retailer specialising in garden products, particularly pots and planters.
Founder Artur Iliev moved to the UK from Russia more than 10 years ago. He had a strong interest in plant life and the gardening lifestyle, previously setting up a greenery and planters distribution company in Moscow. He wanted a way to make shopping for a wide range of gardening products, quick, easy, and accessible — and so Getpotted.com was born.
They have a large portfolio of gardening products, including competitively priced private-label items from Asia. They also hold exclusive UK distribution rights for premium LECHUZA self-watering planters from Germany.
The e-commerce site was a big success, but rapid growth presented its own range of issues. Faced with increased demand and a need for cash to make necessary purchases, Artur decided to take out a Business Loan. It helped him navigate the problems that arose as his business transitioned from a successful startup to a growing established business and put Getpotted.com on the path towards its long-term goals.
A £350,000 Business Loan enabled Getpotted.com to refinance debt and meet rising consumer demand
Getpotted.com was surging and in order to meet the costs associated with increased demand, Artur took out a high-interest loan. This solved short-term issues but also ate into his cash flow.
He came to First Enterprise to find a solution. A £350,000 Business Loan allowed Artur and Getpotted.com to:
Refinance debts, boosting cash flow
Increase stock levels to meet rising demand
Target new consumers with brand awareness marketing campaigns.
The business was ready to expand, but the impact of the previous high-interest debt on cash flow and reserves, had hindered progress. The funding through First Enterprise enabled Getpotted.com to get back on the right track and succeed.
Previous attempts to secure funding from high street banks were unsuccessful, despite the business demonstrating strong underlying performance. First Enterprise’s people-first approach allowed Artur to showcase his business’ financial strengths and produce a compelling application.
Artur spoke of his experience with First Enterprise and the impact of securing funding, saying: “We’re not just an online store, we’re a local employer, and this investment supports sustainable growth that benefits both our team and our customers.
“First Enterprise provided hands-on support throughout the process, assisting with spreadsheets and guiding us through the submission. The support we received, especially in preparing forecasts and documentation, made a big difference.”
Seth Addo, Artur’s Investment Manager at First Enterprise, said: “We were glad to help Getpotted.com refinance and support key investments in stock, marketing, and financial stability, setting them up for sustainable growth.
“Artur and the team had a clear vision and a strong understanding of their business needs. By securing this funding, they’ve positioned themselves for scalable growth. This is exactly the type of responsible lending we’re proud to support.”
Looking to refinance? Need help financing growth? Get in touch today
Artur was in a financial bind, even though his business was attracting plenty of sales. A Business Loan helped him overcome short-term issues and put him back on track for long-term growth.
You might find yourself in a similar position. You could need funding to:
Refinance existing debts
Make important purchases
Invest in marketing or recruitment
Support long-term growth.
We’re here to help! We take a different approach to high-street lenders. We look at the person behind the business, your story, and assess your application with a people-first, no algorithm approach.
If you’d like to discuss options with one of our advisors, please complete the enquiry form below or give us a call at 03456 027 355.
Artur’s final advice to other small businesses is: “Plan ahead — timing is everything. Don’t wait until you’re desperate for funding. If you know your numbers and start early, there are good funding options available, and they can make a real difference.”
