Before you start a clothing line business in Nigeria, there are certain things to consider. Having
enough capital to import or make beautiful clothes is just not enough. Having links to clothing factories abroad is not enough.
Already, there are thousands of clothing lines in Nigeria scattered in all the major cities like Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and others. Know that for that clothing boutique business you want to get into, there are many others trying to get into it as well.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTING A CLOTHING LINE BUSINESS:
- First and foremost, after this business idea is birthed in you, try to research it. Try to know more about the business are are venturing into. No knowledge is wasted. Research about brands already in existence.
- Try to know what others are making in that business line financially. Is it really rewarding? Is it worth the amount of money and time you want to invest in? Also find out that it is protected by Law. It’s a legal Business and you want have problems with the Law in the course of running this business.
- The next thing after research is to create a Business plan that will direct you in this entrepreneurial journey. Draw out your plan just like you’ll do when you want to start building your home. How do you want this business? What do you really want to do in this business? Will you do better as a wholesaler to smaller clothing lines or just shop and retail to consumers?The Business plan involves a lot of things like… Are you going to run this business alone? Do you plan on employing people to work with you? Is it going to start off as a big company or just a small one ,man show for the start?
- Another thing to consider before starting a clothing line business in Nigeria is the electricity availability. Are you going to be fueling generators or going to depend on electricity knowing how the power situation in the country is. Electricity is very important. Even clothing lines need constant electricity supply because they need to iron clothes from time to time. Electricity is paramount.You cannot afford to attend to customers or clients in a dark room. You need electricity/ good lighting to showcase your goods to buyers. Can you sustain your business providing fuel, diesel and generators yourself? Considering Electricity provision is very important when you start any business in Nigeria.
- After considering the points above. Remember that your business needs a website to be available globally. For your clothing line to be found in these days, it has to be Online and available on Search Engines like Google Yahoo and others. Think about creating a website for your business.
Can you create a website yourself and manage it? Do you need website developers? How do you find good website developers to build your website and maintain it for you. Can you afford to pay for the services of website maintenance? All these questions need to be answered. - Aside building a website for business, your new business will more than anything need a Social Media presence. What about a name for your clothing line business in Nigeria. Will you use your own name? Do you want to create a unique name for your business? Ge tips for how to create a business name or use this business name creator tool to help. you don’t really have to be present in all social media but need the giants like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and most especially Pinterest because it is a clothing line. It is visual. The social media handles for your business.Are you going to handle them yourself while growing and running the business? Can you afford a Social Media Analyst for your Clothing business? Can you hire someone to handle all your social media handles and take the burden off your shoulders while you grow the clothing line in Nigeria? It is very important for businesses to be on social media. That’s where you will make the most sales perhaps. Especially if you grow to the right audience.
- How do you hope to get paid? Hope you are aware that up till this moment, Paypal doesn’t pay to Nigeria. How are you going to get paid after sales are made? Will you depend on direct wiring to your bank? Will you focus on selling only to the Nigerian market? Do you plan to sell on Online giants like Amazon, Jumia, Alibaba, Konga and others?
- Financing is another point to consider before you start an business whether in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. How do you plan on financing your clothing line? Incase you need to restock while waiting for payments, do you have any monies to fall back on? Have you saved enough money for clothing line business? Good capital for a boutique business in Nigeria?
- Considered the niche you want for your clothing business? Are you going to sell clothes for kids, maternity clothing? Clothes for men? Women clothing or what? It’s very important to narrow down to a specific niche.What clothing niche are you really knowledgeable about? What niche do you have interest in? Is it babies clothes? Consider picking a niche to focus on and grow in.
Let your business be known for something specific. - Where is the location of your business? Have you thought about places where clothing outfits will sell better? Which are the cities in Nigeria that you think people are really interested in Fashion? The big cities like Lagos, Abuja and others right? Have you thought about rent payment in places like Abuja?The cost of renting any business premises in Abuja I can tell you is in the Millions. Sometimes you hear business owners lament that all the profits they make are used in payment of rent and renewal of tenancy. Rent is less expensive in some other cities and depending on the part of the city you want your clothing line business located.
You may spend less and also make fewre sales than in other cities. Some cities have stronger spending powers than others. Fact! - Think about emergency exit strategy. In case things don’t go as planned and you want an exit.
Do you have plans for that? What is your exit strategy? Not that things won’t work out, we pray and believe that your business will do well and grow in leaps and bounds.
However, no one knows what the next day holds. Plans can change at any day. How do you leave without problems? Any emergency exit door? Consider this last point too very well. After all is set. Plunge into the deepo and start already.
We wish your clothing business all the best!