Shoe making business in Nigeria is one of the most profitable business trends because shoes are one of the most necessary expendables (after food and clothing) of any modern person.
If you know this craft really well, if you are able to choose equipment and materials, and, most importantly, you have an original idea that will beat the competitors – you can definitely count on success!
We will tell you the details of creating a shoe making business in this post.
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1. Payback
As a rule, the shoe business pays off within a year. You can expect even a longer period since the prices for materials and rental of premises will grow.
Anyway, before starting such a business you will need a shoe making business plan.
You can always find a more or less suitable general footwear business plan sample that will help you understand what you need to do. However, for a detailed strategy elaboration, you will need a specialist who will develop a business plan individually for the specific purposes of your business.
2. Shoe making in Nigeria: market analysis
Carefully study the niche you intend to take – the information about competitors, the degree of market saturation, the quality of other offers, etc.
There are several popular footwear business ideas: the most common among them are the mass market shoe making and individual shoe design.
Individual shoe design and sewing is a great start-up idea. However, you must be ready to create every pair from scratch to completion. This way you can manufacture 4-6 pairs per month, producing premium, expensive handmade shoes.
Another option would be producing high-quality shoes and work with a ready-made model range targeting the mass market in the average price segment.
3. Advantages of handmade shoes
- Unique and exclusive product!
- The time and effort needed to create things manually is an objective reason for increasing the cost.
- Special unique feel of the product is another reason for its high price.
- Quality.
- Accounting for the individual wishes of the client when manufacturing upon request.
4. Materials
Materials for handmade shoes in Nigeria can be bought:
- in specialized stores;
- at tanning farms;
- in tailoring shops (they often have suitable scraps of leather);
- second-hand markets and stores.
5. How to start a small shoe business: equipment
The indispensable piece of equipment for making the top of the shoes is a specially-customized sewing machine.
You will also need tools for tightening shoes, and a special device for processing the edges of the sole.
For manual processing, you’ll need a machine to lower the edges.
You will also need:
- knives;
- cutters;
- scissors;
- metal rulers;
- squares;
- hole punch;
- vise;
- sewing hooks.
Additional equipment can be purchased depending on the type of manufactured products.
6. Organizing sales
Will it be a pavilion at a clothing market, or a shop in a large mall (these are the options with minimal investment)? Or maybe you want your own boutique right away? The decision depends on your budget. If you will be making shoes upon individual request, you will need a waiting room for clients and a fitting room.
In case you decide to work with the mass market, organize online sales – post ads with photos & description of ready models on the largest free ad websites. It is quite reasonable to do this on Jiji – because the site traffic is more than 8,000,000 people a day!
7. Product range
Footwear business ideas depend on the demand and expectations of the consumer one way or another. It is better to target average-income buyers since this is the most profitable niche. It is important to offer a huge variety of men’s, children’s and women’s shoes. The buyer should be given the opportunity to choose between different price categories.
In case of creating shoes for individuals, you clients can become people with an irregular foot structure or size.
A special place is occupied by orthopedic and work shoes.
8. Staff
You must have a shoe designer and a cutter. He is normally assisted by several professional shoe tailors, working in shifts and knowing perfectly how to make shoes of different types.
Requirements for sellers: neatness, communication skills, competence in shoe making craft. Trainings and seminars are really welcome!
9. Advertising
Take part in a variety of exhibitions, presentations, shows where you can show your products!
At the same time post your free ads on Jiji so that the entire country could see them! You would be surprised what huge number of small businesses grew up on the pages of Jiji.ng!
Do you want the whole country to discover about your product? Do you want to sell it without interruptions? Install free updated Jiji app now – and your smartphone will become a perfect tool for promoting your business!
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