How To Set Up Your Own Tailoring Business In Kenya

For ‘young’ people, starting your very own business and becoming self employed is the most suitable alternative to the ever growing hard to get 9 to 5 jobs. Starting a business is always the best alternative to the ever elusive jobs.

A survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed that seven (7) million Kenyans are unemployed. An additional figure of over 1.4 million are actively looking for employment. With those figures, it is easy to see why more and more people are looking for alternatives.

Because we know very many business ventures require huge amounts of capital to get started, this new How To series will only show you how to start and execute several small business that require capital from as little as 5,000 Kenyan Shillings. Thus giving you the keys to the kingdom of starting a profitable business with little or no capital.

If you are also just looking for a side hustle to maybe supplement your 9 to 5 or full time job, this is for you.

All that you need to thrive in these businesses besides capital, is good customer service of course, great managerial skills, a suitable business location, and a clear cut vision.

Today’s article will show you how to set up your very own Tailoring business in Kenya. While this is not exactly a 5,000 Kenyan Shillings capital business, I am sure you would agree that this is also a very viable option.

No matter what your station in life is, we have all at some point in time needed the services of tailors. From stitching up torn clothes, to creating entire attires, the importance and significance of tailors can not be overemphasized.

If tailoring or sewing is your passion then making a business out of it might just be the right choice for you as you would be making a living out of something you love.

How To Start A Tailoring Business In Kenya

How much do you need to start a Tailoring business? What paperwork, and or equipment are you required to have in Kenya? If you are considering this option, here is everything you will need to kickstart your Tailoring business in Kenya.

1. Acquire The Needed Training. Even if you have the passion for sewing and know your way around, it is still advisable that you get the needed training. Even if you do not plan to do the actual sewing yourself, sewing business owner who understands and knows the various tricks, techniques and aspects of sewing will be much better off. You can acquire said knowledge, by either signing up with an already established business in the same field that you are interested in, or from an actual sewing school. With a few months of the necessary training, you would be good to go.
2. Have A Business Plan. For every business, having a concise and effective business plan is very important.
3. Figure Out Your Market. It is very important that you figure out your market before starting your Tailoring business. Students and lower to middle income earners for example, are some of the various demographics that you should pay attention to.
4. Plan Out Your Marketing. Next after figuring out your target audience, should be planning out your marketing. Yes, even a tailoring business needs marketing. Learn how to get the attention of your target market. Would discounts work? Or referrals or both? How about posters, sponsored adverts on social media and fliers. Find out what is most effective for you and use that or a combination of all of them.
5. Figure Out How To Raise Capital. You can raise capital by getting a bank loan or getting a loan from Cooperative credit societies as these institutions tend to give out loans to small businesses. It also helps if you have an asset or assets that you can put up as collateral. The best and most convenient to raise capital however, might be to get it for friends and family. Even if they are loans, those arrangements are usually much more flexible as they come with much lower interest rates for example. All you would need to do is convince said friends and family, of the profitability of your business. Please make sure however, that you pay back the money and in good time too, so as to maintain confidence which you would need if you require money from them in the future.
6. A Business License Or Permit. This is one of the most fundamental licences that businesses in Kenya are required to have before commencing operations, so you will definitely need one for your Tailoring business. Although the cost of a business licence or permit differs from county to county, it usually sits at around 3,000 Kenyan shillings.
7. A Location. As with most businesses, a good location is one of the major factors that determine whether or not your fruit business will succeed. In the case of a Tailoring business, your best bet would be a residential area or an area that is in close proximity to a shopping center or market. Keep in mind that the rent in areas close to shopping centers, might be far more expensive.
8. A Fitting Room. Your tailoring shop or business, will need a separate room or space preferably with a door. This separate room or space, will be the fitting room. This is for the privacy of those of your customers who would need to try out attires. You can however, opt to create a cubicle writhing shop space to meet this need. As long as it still efficiently serves the purpose of giving your customers privacy.
9. Secure The Necessary Equipment. Equipment like overlock or serger machines, scissors, measuring tapes, Mannequins, large tables, sewing threads, industry grade sewing machines are some of the equipment you need for your Tailoring business, as well as other sewing and embroidery tools.
10. Talk To Others Who Have Done This Before You. No man is an island. Talk to entrepreneurs who have gone into or are still in the bakery business. You never know, you just might pick up one or two nuggets of wisdom from them.
11. Employ More hands. No one is an island, you really cannot carry out all the daily activities of a Tailoring business efficiently, on your own. Especially when there is a long line of clients.

And that is it! All you need to know about starting your very own Tailoring business. Depending on the demand for your services, you can make as much as 1,000 Kenyan Shillings per day. Cool right?

Is the Tailoring business, a suitable venture for you? That question, is left for you to think on and answer. This writer’s goal is to open your eyes to the various entrepreneurial opportunities that abound in the country.

Also while the prospects are very promising please have a realistic approach as well. As with any business, there is a chance that you might incur losses. Especially at the beginning, so please keep your overheads low.

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