In this post, I will show the 6 Steps to Start Tailoring Business in Nigeria. You can use this as a “tailoring business plan in Nigeria” to setup your business.
Going into tailoring business would not be a bad idea for a start. Come to think of it, many people sew clothes, wear clothes of different design, quality and grade.
You just have to look for which section or level you fall into and work towards it. Going into tailoring business has grown to another level which is called FASHION DESIGNING, now tailors are not just tailors, they are Fashion Designers.
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They have carved a niche for themselves in the economy of the country and proved great contributors to the economy of Nigeria.
To tell you the truth, the business is very lucrative. Take for instance in your locality, the number of people that wear clothes; either sewn fabrics or bought from the boutique, you would see that a lot of people wear clothes.
Now imagine for every occasion people come to you to help them sew a cloth for them and how much you would make after sewing an asoebi for 15 ladies, think how much you would make just you working with your sewing machine for a week and earning what a salary earner gets in a month, you do see that it is profitable.
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Take for instance, the popular agbada designer by name UGO, you can check him on instagram who designed the popular OAP Ebuka Uchendu who made himself more popular with he’s agbada on Banky W’s wedding, this was the work that brought him to lime light, he has been a fashion designer for over 6years and he has grown bigger and bigger each year, that’s how it goes, year by year, you improve.
I also know a tailor who started he’s little shop after NYSC Program, 2years after, he is looking for a means to expand because he’s shop space cannot contain the numerous jobs he gets, he has even made two attires for me which he charged at a reasonable rate and I got my work in 5days. This shows he’s efficiency. The Tailor’s name is CY in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Looking at the fashion market, there are lots of opportunities and ways for you to be bigger and better in this business, because of the increasing demand of wears by people and the creativity of individuals in this line of business, so there is enough space for anyone coming into this business, so far you are good and know what you are doing.
Going into this business and not expecting competition is like telling you a lie. There have been people before you who created a space for themselves, so you have to do the same.
Customers are never ending even for a newbie; people will want to try you out for a start just to see how efficient you are and also to get a fair price.
Old, young, unemployed, working class, everybody needs a tailor to do one or two jobs for them, so you see, a tailor will always be needed at any time.
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If you want to start this business let’s dive into it quickly:
Get the Knowledge and Experience:
I would confidently tell you that you do not need a B.Sc or HND or OND you be a tailor/fashion designer but you do need to know have experience to go into this, you need to learn from someone, probably a made tailor or a bigwig in the business, this is to expose you to the working environment and how to react to market and customers.
Acquire Resources needed:
Do you need raw materials? YES you do. You need fabrics for a start, needles, threads and various other things, you could get most of them from LAGOS market or ARIARIA market in ABA, and at a cheap rate.
Get the Equipment and Tools needed:
For a start you will need some simple equipments for you to start up and push yourself to an extent and make your work known, importantly you will need a
- Sewing Machine
- Embroidery Machine
- Working Table
- Chairs/Tables
- Over lock machines
- Weaving machines
- Thread and needles in bulk
With this few things, you could be able to kick start your business to a reasonable extent.
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Choose a Good Location:
Location is of utmost importance to this business. You must be situated in a place where people can see you by just mere looking or turning of heads.
You must also consider a place where people tend to attend a lot of occasions and events, this is another factor that could help you build a name and make yourself popular and well known. Don’t just take a place that you feel the shop is cheaper or you are close to your comfort zone.
Find Funding:
For you to start this business you need some funds. You could apply for loans from banks, or cooperative societies, from the Bank of Industry.
You could also get financial help from friends and families, or through your savings. At least, to get the necessary materials to kick start the business.
Also do not forget that there are relevant authorities guiding or backing any business venture in Nigeria. Try to get yourself registered with FADAN (Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria) this is the body in charge of tailors and fashion designers in Nigeria. As this will help you get close to more designers and broaden your knowledge.
Marketing and Services:
One thing people complain about tailors in Nigeria is their inability to deliver on time; if you are not ready to keep to time of the customer then you will lose a lot of work and customers.
That is why customers do ask when you think you can finish. You have to give a reasonable date and time so they will not see you as lazy. That is why you have to put in a lot of effort to deliver on time.
And also be creative in your work, people do no longer ask for the normal designs, they do prefer something new, something different from others, so your creativity will help you go a long way in winning customers.
The best way of marketing your business or work is by advertising. Sampling your work to people just outside your office/workspace and also build yourself as a brand, a fashion designer and not just a roadside tailor.
Get a reachable contact through which your customers can reach you also do social network meeting, create a presence for yourself online so the young ones can locate you. And also be good at your work and efficient, that people will recommend you to others.
If you need more help on how to grow your business, you can meet tailors who are better than you, associate yourself with them, make them your close friends so you can see yourselves as business partners.
They will advice you and see what way they can help when they see your readiness to learn. If they are offered a large contract, you could work with them on it and you need the knowledge, experience and expertise. They could recommend you to others for jobs they may not want to handle.
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Conclusion
Tailoring business has upgraded, it is growing year by year and the customers are never ending, the profits are never ending.
There is always a space for you when you join the business, but it is advisable to start now so you can build yourself early.
If you are ever thinking of what to start to help yourself in future, you should think of Tailoring, and remember I told you about it.