Tira Kelly, founder of Tira Cooks, is a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur. With a professional background in fashion sales merchandising for premium global brands, Kelly developed a strong understanding of consumer trends, brand positioning, and high-end retail operations. Inspired by her family’s creative legacy – her grandmother, a skilled seamstress, and her great-grandmother, a factory worker in garment production – Kelly felt a natural pull toward entrepreneurship.
Like many early-stage entrepreneurs, Kelly faced financial constraints and chose to self-finance her business rather than pursue traditional financing. This required careful planning and disciplined resource management.
The Temple University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) played a critical role in helping Kelly establish and grow Tira Cooks. SBDC consultants guided her through the business formation process, including registering her LLC and securing the necessary licenses and permits with the City of Philadelphia. Beyond formation, the SBDC provided hands-on assistance in developing and refining her business plan, as well as building realistic financial projections and budgeting strategies. Since first engaging with the SBDC in summer 2025, Kelly has continued to leverage consulting support to strengthen her operational and strategic decision-making.
Since launching Tira Cooks, Kelly has achieved significant milestones that underscore both creative and commercial success. Her latest collection debuted at Philadelphia Fashion Week 2026, marking her emergence onto a major regional fashion stage. She was also featured as the cover story in The Hook, further elevating brand visibility and credibility. In a key retail breakthrough, Tira Cooks secured placement in Maison at the Fashion District Mall, representing the brand’s first boutique partnership and a critical step toward market expansion. Additionally, Kelly was awarded an Illuminate the Arts Grant from the City of Philadelphia, providing capital to support continued growth and production scaling.