Tailoring in Nigeria has overtime become a very profitable venure. With Africans preferring to their local attires to foreign clothes due to so many reasons including inflation and currency exchange. The fashion world in Africa, especially Africa is set to see a boost in acceptability and profitability.
Do you know Yomi Casual, Ugo Monye, or Mai Atafo? You should know them if you really want to create a profitable tailoring brand in Nigeria. Because that’s exactly what they have done, and you could learn a thing or two from them. Seriously, you should follow them on social media if you haven’t done so already.
In the meantime, if you are serious about creating the profitable tailoring brands these fashion designing maestros have made, there are a few things you can do.
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1. Perfect Your Tailoring skill
To create a profitable tailoring brand, it goes without saying that you need to perfect your knowledge and skill. Staying on top of industry trends and consumer preferences is one way to grow. In an age where customers demand more trendy cuts, you simply cannot keep offering old-fashioned cloth designs.
Your designs should even be more advanced than your customers’ knowledge, and you should be the one suggesting the latest designs.
You should not only stay abreast of fashion trends but also produce clothing with excellent finishing. Hi, you might have heard about customers saying their tailors are not able to sew. You can’t afford to be that kind of tailor.
Make sure you cut your clothes the right way, sew curves well, and you will not even need to struggle to become successful because your outstanding works will speak for you.
Aside from all of the above, here are the basic tailoring and fashion skills you need:
- Knowledge of sewing machines (basic machine) and how to use one
- Become familiar with garment stitching. You should learn the basics of garment stitching whether you stitch garments yourself or hire a tailor
- Measurement of the body and the garment
- Become an expert at pattern drafting
- Creating garment parts from fabric
- Get to know materials and their properties
- Learn more about garment fit
Take tailoring, garment manufacturing, or pattern making classes. An introductory tailoring course lasts between 3-6 months.
Note: If you plan to outsource stitching work to a tailor, you don’t have to learn it yourself.
If you are completely new to sewing, this video is a good place to start learning
Also Read: How To Start Successful Tailoring and Sewing Business In Nigeria
2. Have a Niche To Create Profitable Tailoring Brand
You shouldn’t be known as a fashion designer who designs clothing for women, men, children, uniforms, bridal clothes, etc. (all you do). Instead, focus on one thriving niche and build authority in that field.
If you realise from your research (and you must do some research first) that making menswear, suits, or just suits for children is going to be a hugely profitable niche, then you should become known for that. If you are concerned you will not get enough clients from specialising in only one line; you can always improve your knowledge and attract more premium/elite/high-paying clients.
3. Diversify within your niche
Diversification is another option. In addition to having a niche, it is also possible to diversify while being in a niche.
Let’s assume that you sew only bridal gowns. Do not limit your sewing to just the bride but also the maid of honours and flower girls. You can sew gowns for even the guests who are eager to wear gowns on that day. Buying and selling bridal accessories could be a great addition to your business. Whether you are in a niche or not, you can diversify successfully.
4. Go digital
A technology-based approach to tailoring business management is an effective one. For example, receive orders and payments online by setting up an app or website. You can display previous orders and new designs on your website, so your customers can easily view the products from the comfort of their own homes.
When you go digital, you can access digital data to plan your future business decisions. This is a terrific option for your tailoring business once you decide to scale, but may not be necessary when you’re just starting.
Develop a brand that can be taken online. Create an Instagram account (especially), build a following, upload your designs, and start receiving orders for your work.
Websites can be an effective tool for creating profitable tailoring brands and exposure when the finances are there. However, a website should not just exist for the sake of existence; it should serve a specific purpose.
Customers should be able to learn more about you, see what you do, and contact you on your website. You should include your social accounts on the site. It should look professional and responsive. It should generate revenue (e.g., by incorporating Adsense, selling advert space, affiliate marketing, etc.), and it should contain helpful content for your readers.
5. Raise funds
Money is vital in every business, including tailoring. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you must be ready to spend money on modern machines. So, seek added funds from different sources, including relatives, friends, banks and other financial institutions. This money can be used to purchase that extra modern sewing machine or weaving machine, purchase mannequins to display, acquire additional space, and advertising. Check out these platforms where you can get quick loans.
6. Networking
A very effective means of creating profitable tailoring brands and getting your brands exposed to other brands out there is by networking. You should attend fashion shows and tailoring brand fairs and hand out your flyers or business cards there. Do the same at business seminars.
Your potential customers are real humans, and word of mouth is still believed to be the most effective way to advertise.
7. Explore partnership opportunities
You can also partner with a business related to yours for mutual benefit. Therefore, if you know of a fabric store, ask them to give your fliers to their clients while you direct your clients looking for fabrics to their store. Everybody wins, and most importantly, your business is thriving. Learn more on partnership and collaboration.
8. Organize training
Start a sewing class. This will not only generate additional income but will also be a form of publicity for your business. In addition, people will consider you an authority or expert at what you do if you can constantly organise training.
9. Get more hans
Note this – If you want your business to grow, you have to reduce the amount of time you spend IN it and increase the time you spend ON it. This means you should delegate more so you can free up time to promote your business by attending related networking events, visiting important clients, managing your social account and more.
Also, one of the easiest metrics to measure business growth is the number of team members over time. So, whenever there is a need to add one more person to the team without affecting the business finance, do not hesitate to do it.
Also Read: How to Build a Great Team for a Successful Start-Up
10. Organize A Runway Fashion Show
Organizing a runway fashion show gives you much-needed awareness and brand authority in the tailoring and fashion industry. Take advantage of this and build your profitable tailoring and fashion brand. The cost of organizing one may be high, but the return on investment is quite worth the effort.
In conclusion
These are some of the ways you can create a profitable tailoring brand.
It is impossible to become a successful entrepreneur overnight. However, your versatility and firm determination will facilitate your path to success within a short period. Starting this business and making it profitable can be achieved with the proper planning and marketing strategy.
Maintain transparency and honesty as you provide services to your fashion customers. As a result, your customers will be able to judge your crystal clear mentality and entrust you with more work. Don’t be like those tailors who have built a reputation from constantly disappointing their customers. Attitude will always come back to haunt you.
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