An Abuja-based cobbler, Alhaji Abdul Gatar , 71 not minding his age is always willing to get his hands dirty so as to make, polish and mend shoes for his clients. The aged man also recounts sales and loss from the business, ADEOLA TUKURU reports .
In his words “I tell my clients that I am ready to get my hands dirty to make their feet lovely. I go the extra-mile to satisfy my clients by paying more attention to the smallest details of shoe making”.
These were the words of 71 year-old cobbler, Alhaji Abdul Gatar , who hails from Katsina state with a family of 12 which includes two wives.
The aged cobbler said they came to Abuja to make ends meet when his family found it difficult to survive after the Boko Haram attack in 2016.
How he started the business
Alhaji Abdul, while recounting to Business Starter in Hausa language started the business in 2017 that he choose shoe-making because he wanted to promote the production and the wearing of local shoes and sandals by Africans, thus promoting the African culture right from when he was much younger.
“I felt the need to create job opportunities for people instead of being the one hunting for jobs as a graduate”
“Also, the love my Father who is now late had for locally-made shoes and slippers inspired me to start a business in this line.”
How he discovered his potentials
He discovered that the major raw materials: animals’ hides and skins; were available locally and in large quantities.
According to him ,most of what goes into the production of his shoes are local contents relevant to and available in the country.
Advise for youth
He advised those searching for white–collar jobs to acquire skills in various vocations that would make them relevant to their communities.
He also said that they would also become self reliant, self dependent and be employers of labour with times.
His goal in the business
According to him, his ultimate satisfaction in the job was to please his clients by the quality of how s work.
He also said he plans to train youth to know how to make new shoes as well as repair worn-out ones.
“You can wear my footwear in the rain and it will not spoil because I dedicate all my time and attention into making just one and many more.”
He also lauded his Uncle that taught him in shoe making far back in Katsina state before they came to Abuja.
“Before my dad died , I was always sitting with my Uncle who was also a cobbler , he was strict.
“He would say then that he was not going to pamper me because he discovered that I had the zeal to learn and I also repair worn-out shoes for his clients.
Challenges
“I repairs shoes clients that are patient enough to wait till I have the time. Some repairs give me tough time.
“Repairing foreign-made shoes is like building a new pair of shoes for a client and such requires a detailed work,”he said.
He said that he had been getting referrals from his clients sometimes as well as his Uncle .
“I get motivated to do more so people can know that success is not by gender, but through hard work.
“They love my designs and applaud the fact that I go through the stress of building new shoes on my own rather than employ people,” he said.
How to start Shoe making business
Study fashion design You might already have shoe designs pouring out of you, but to be successful you need an adequate education. Shoe designers usually need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fashion design from one of the 300 programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Since you want to start your own business, you should combine your studies with business, marketing or fashion merchandising.
Create a business plan
From your education, you should be able to figure what your start-up costs will be and how to come up with the money. Investigate the insurance, taxes and other legal ramifications of starting your own shoe design business.
Register your business and trademark your brand Fashion is always about names. You can use your own name or come up with a catchy name for your shoe line that will attract interest. Register your business under that name and trademark it so no one can steal your ideas or sales .
Make patterns and samples Well, this is why you’re here. Make up some patterns and samples to show potential customers, vendors and investors what you can do.
Start manufacturing your designs You
designed your product line, now make some shoes to sell. Start with a small initial inventory and increase production as sales increase.
Market your line You need to get your name out there to generate business. Create a professional Web site showing off and selling your shoe line. Find small fashion magazines and stores that will sell or advertise your line.
Market your line to major fashion brands and shoe stores. Under the wing of a large and well-established designer, your shoe line and your name can really flourish. Don’t be afraid to be creative and try innovative ways to marketing your line.
