Over the years, the fashion industry in Nigeria has grown into a multi-million naira industry and is one that has continued to grow. This industry is a revenue generator that continues to boom and will do better in years to come as it remains untapped by many Nigerians.
The tailoring business can be said to be a worthwhile branch of the fashion industry in Nigeria. It has grown from just making clothes for customers to a money-making venture that continues to grow daily. How profitable is the tailoring business? Find out in the course of this article.
You can make a tremendous amount of money if you start a tailoring business. Nigerians are stylish people. We love looking good and trendy for different occasions. Barely any Saturday passes without an orange to rock lovely pieces too.
If you can sew, you might as well be sitting on a goldmine because people are willing to pay handsomely for clothes made specifically to their tastes.
The services of a tailor will always be needed because people feel the need to constantly look good. There will always be occasions, events, etc.
In this guide, I’ll be showing you step by step how to start a tailoring business in Nigeria. The cost of starting a tailoring business, how profitable the business is, and how to completely set it up will be outlined in this comprehensive guide. Come with me.
Table of Contents
How To Set Up a Tailoring Business
In this section, you’ll be walked through the processes and steps on how to set up a tailoring business.
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Get adequate tailoring training
Before you venture into the tailoring business, you need to know the ropes and become a professional. To be an expert in this field (tailoring), you need to undergo training for at least 2-3 years.
You can either go to a fashion school or enlist the help of an expert tailor. Tailoring training is quite affordable in Nigeria.
Within this period, you’d learn the art of cutting different materials, sewing correctly, and perfecting to the taste of your customers. It is advisable to learn how to sew for both men and women so as not to limit yourself.
The quality of the training you get will determine how good you’ll be at it, hence the amount of money you make from tailoring.
Read also: How to become a Metaverse Fashion Designer.
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Select a suitable business location
When starting a new business, you have to put into consideration the location. You should get a shop in a good location if you want to start a tailoring business.
First, you want to consider the security of your shop/location. The amount of money you make won’t matter if your business is situated in a risk-prone area.
Another thing and perhaps the most important is the population density of the area. This is a germane point in the know-how of how to set up a tailoring business. You have to make sure where you’re located has a decent amount of traffic for people to notice you quickly.
Another key factor is the power supply. You’ll be making use of different machines in your shop, so you should make your findings about the power supply of the area.
Lastly, proximity to the market matters. You want to choose the area close to where you source your tailoring materials from. You can also start from your home if you’re temporarily unable to raise cash for your shop or can’t get a suitable place yet.
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Have Your Business Plan Ready
You might ask why you need a business plan for a tailoring business. You need strategic plans when starting a business. It’ll help you with the overview of the market you’re going into, how to manage your profits and losses, and so on.
A business plan can also help you raise capital for your business. Potential investors will need you to show them if they’ll invest in your business. Your business plan helps you analyse the market you’re going into, how profitable is tailoring business and the complete overview of the market.
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Raise funds
You possibly can’t start a business without the necessary funding. Capital here does not only mean cash, it includes the necessary equipment. The cost of starting a tailoring business does not have to choke.
You can request funds from family members, distant relatives, and even government grants. As you raise capital, you might also need to know how profitable a tailoring business is, this will motivate you in looking for the capital for your business.
You don’t have to get all the machines at first, just the important ones, then as you progress in your business, you’ll get the rest. The total cost of starting a tailoring business will be duly outlined in the course of this article.
Read also: Ultimate guide to become a successful photographer in Nigeria.
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Choose a niche
Another important thing on how to set up a tailoring business is to have a specialty. An area in which you’re good.
Don’t be a jack of all trades as this would not help you carve a name for yourself in the fashion industry. Niching down will make you significant.
You can choose to specialize in any of these: custom-made wear, ladies’ wear, kid’s wear, suit sewing, e.t.c. You can as well specialize in more than one area.
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Get the necessary equipment
The pieces of equipment you get depend on the scale you want to operate. You might not need all the equipment at once to start a tailoring business. Begin with a few then along the line, you get the rest.
Ensure you do your homework about the machines you’ll get. You want to pay attention to some brands like the Singer sewing machine, butterfly sewing machine, model Emil, e.t.c. In this article, the list of equipment and their prices for how to set up a tailoring business will be outlined.
Read also: Factors that influence Fashion Trends in Nigeria.
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Decide on a catchy brand name
Finding a brand name that is appealing is also a big step geared toward how to start a tailoring business. Being skilled is important, but getting a catchy and good brand name is more important.
It’s what sets you apart from your counterparts. You can name your brand after you or google examples of tailoring brand names. Either way, make a wise decision.
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Hire people to work with you
This is optional. You’re just starting and may lack enough money to hire stylists. However, if you’re starting on a large scale, you might want to consider this.
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Register with the C.A.C.
You don’t have to do this right away, but it is advisable to make your brand legit by registering it.
This gives your business a professional look. Registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission enables you to get access to apply for grants when needed.
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Market your Tailoring Business
The last part concerning how to start a tailoring business is making your business well known. There are different marketing strategies to employ.
The best-known method is word of mouth. Making it known by telling people what you do is effective. You can also make a signpost that leads to your shop.
Social media is also a great tool for advertising your business. Adopt the right social media marketing strategies and your business is set for greatness.
Did you know that Whatsapp is a good place to develop your brand? Join our Whatsapp community to access our Whatsapp marketing course.
Necessary Equipment to Start a Tailoring Business
- Embroidery machines
- Weaving machines
- Overlook machines
- Sewing machines
- Working table
- Chairs
- Scissors
- Threads
- Needles
- Measurement book
- Iron(electric and charcoal)
- A power source (solar or generator)
- Measuring tape etc.
Read also: How to increase visibility for your Business in Nigeria.
Cost of Starting Tailoring Business in Nigeria
The first thing a newbie should inquire about is the cost of starting a tailoring business. This business does not require that much as you can start on a small scale even from the comfort of your home.
The amount you need at the start depends on the level at which you wish to operate. As a small-scale tailor, you need between N100,000 and N150,000.
While at a middle scale, you’ll be needing between N500,000 and N700,000. At a larger scale, you should have over N1million.
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How Profitable is Tailoring Business?
A tailoring business is a very profitable venture. The reason is it is essential. It will always be needed. Regardless of how the economy is, Nigerians will always look good and trendy.
Maximizing your profit will come easy if you can stay true to your brand identity by satisfying your customers as much as you can.
Meanwhile, the profitability of the tailoring business depends on seasons, trends, e.t.c.
Conclusion
Rounding up, the tailoring business is a good one to venture into and invest in. It has been generating a decent amount of money for skilled tailors in Nigeria.
In this article, how to start a tailoring business and other bullet points were highlighted, it’s a complete guide for you to make use of.
UGC Deck can help you with everything marketing and has partnerships with brands that can help register your business and get other licenses. Send a message to the team on WhatsApp for for enquiries.
About Author
- I'm Anu, a Microbiology student at Obafemi Awolowo University. A content writer, copywriter, and fashion enthusiast. Reading, traveling, meeting new people is what I love doing. I believe in self-development and purpose.
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1 comment
I love this article. Thanks a lot, i really do appreciate.