Show notes
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I’m joined by Lilia Stoyanov, the CEO and cofounder of TFY (Transformify Ltd), a bootstrapped, AI-powered global workforce management platform.
TFY enables businesses to hire, onboard and pay contractors in 184+ countries – all from one platform. And it’s not just another HR tool — it’s a human-centred, AI-powered engine that automates compliance and payments, so finance and HR teams can focus on strategic growth.
In this episode, we cover:
- How TFY achieved 90% profit growth in 2024 with zero external investment
- The three-phase scaling strategy that took them from niche to global player
- Why they require a full business case for every new hire – and how that drives a near-zero attrition culture
- The systems behind managing 350,000 contractors with just 25 people
- Lilia’s leadership approach – and why TFY avoids inflated job titles in favour of responsibility and results
We also explore how Lilia and her team avoided the "fake stability" of VC funding, and how they built a high-trust, global network by partnering with local legal and financial experts.
The one key thing?
Scaling globally doesn’t require massive headcount or funding — it demands laser focus, financial discipline, and relentless clarity on ROI.
Quick heads-up — we’re also looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app.
It’s designed to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals in just a few minutes a day. It’s free while we’re in testing, and your feedback will help shape the final version.
Interested? Just email me at kevin@biz-smart.co.uk.
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For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Lilia.
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Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that’s you, the G90 Summit is worth a look. A structured half-day where we work through everything competing for your attention, get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, then commit to them and build the system to make sure they actually happen. Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat.
Lilia can be found here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilia-stoyanov-tfy/
https://www.instagram.com/ls_transformify/
Resources:
Blitzscaling by Chris Yeh - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/blitzscaling-the-lightning-fast-path-to-building-massively-valuable-companies-reid-hoffman/3593117?ean=9780008303631&next=t