A graduate of Computer Science from Nassarawa state University, Aminat Mustapha, is willing to get her hands dirty to satisfy her clients. She says the business of making and repairing shoes has been profitable, ADEOLA TUKURU reports.
“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 attention to the smallest details in shoe making.The Kogi state born Aminat came to Abuja with her mother in 2014 to make ends meet. And since then, she had had to engage in several forms of jobs just to keep body and soul going.
How the business started
Recounting to Business Stater in Abuja, Aninat said ahe started the business in 2015. Axcording to her, she choose shoe-making because she wanted to promote the production and the patronage of local shoes and sandals by Africans, thus promoting African culture.“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 brothers have for locally-made shoes and slippers inspired me to start a business in this line.”
Discovering her potentials
After graduation, she discovered that the major raw materials: animals’ hides and skins; were available locally and in large quantities. That motivated her to venture into shoe making as she discovered that most of what goes into the production of her products were local content available in the country.
Advise to youth
She Cobbler advised those searching for white–collar jobs to acquire skills in various vocations as that would make them relevant to their communities.She also said that they would also become self reliant, self dependent and be employers of labour over time.
Her business goal
According to her, her ultimate goal in the job is to please her clients by the quality of her work. She also said she plans to train young girls 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.”She also praised her uncle that trained her in shoe making far back in Kogi state before she came to Abuja adding that while she was in school she was also undergoing training; her uncle treated her well like every other trainees, she said.“Before my dad died , I was always sitting with my uncle who was also a cobbler, he was strict. He would say that he was not going to pamper me because he discovered that I had the zeal to learn. Ten, i would also repair worn-out shoes for her clients.
Business challenges
“I do repairs not always but for 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,” she said.She said that she had been getting referrals from her clients as well as her 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,” she 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.
