How to prepare for starting a modern tailoring business?

How suitable is a tailoring business as a small, medium, or large-scale enterprise?

The interesting thing is, you can start a tailoring business right from your home if you wish, or you can establish a full-fledged tailor shop. It’s a type of business that can be launched and managed at any scale—small, medium, or large.

• If it's a small business: It’s possible to start with just a room in your house, a sewing machine, and a few fabric cutting tools.
• If it's a medium-sized business: You can rent a shop and start working with two to three tailors.
• If it is a large business: You can run a tailor shop on a large scale by creating your own business brand or through a franchise model.

However big or small the business may be, without proper planning, training, and bookkeeping, it is difficult to succeed in this business.

Can anyone do the tailor business?

The answer to this question is – yes, but with some conditions to pay attention to. Anyone can start this business if—

• You have completed a sewing training course or have basic knowledge of sewing.
• You are interested in clothing fashion and want to learn new designs.
• You have basic business knowledge such as marketing, customer service, product collection, and accounting skills.
• You are financially capable of hiring one or more skilled tailors.

If you initially master these aspects, then preparing to start a tailoring business will no longer be difficult for you.

The 7 steps to take in preparing to start a tailoring business

The success of a tailoring business depends on the kind of planning and preparation you start with. Below, we will discuss 7 important steps to take when preparing to start a tailoring business.

1. Analyze the market and understand customer demand.

Before starting the business, thoroughly research the market in your area—

• What types of clothing do people in your area mostly make?
• How are the competing tailors shops performing?
• What kind of services are they offering?

By analyzing this information, you will understand which area your tailor shop should focus on to be more profitable. For example, in some areas, the demand for school dresses may be higher, while in other areas, the demand for ladies' dresses may be greater.

2. Acquire sewing training and skills

If you want to sew yourself, then you must complete a sewing training course. Nowadays, there are many online and offline courses available that provide training on using modern machines.

And if you want to hire tailors, then carefully verify and select skilled tailors. If needed, you can provide your workers with tailor training books or guides. Nowadays, many good books on this subject are available. 

3. You need to pay attention to the location and decoration of the shop.

Rent a shop in a convenient location. If you have your own space, you can start there as well. The decoration and interior environment of the shop attract customers. Tidying up and decorating a small tailor’s shop professionally creates a good impression.

Things to include in the decoration-

• Mannequin (human model for displaying clothes)
• Fabric sample
• Mirror and fitting room
• Waiting chair

4. Buy a sewing machine and necessary tools

Using modern equipment for a tailoring business improves both speed and quality. You may need the following:

• Singer or Juki sewing machine
• Cutting table
• Measuring tape
• Pattern cutter
• Thread, buttons, zipper, lace, zari, embroidery, etc.

You can start by buying the basic tools according to your budget. Later, based on customer demand, you can purchase more materials.

5. Tailor's memo and order management

To keep accurate records of each order, a standard tailor's memo or slip is needed. It should include— 

• Customer's name, address, and mobile number
• Order received and delivery dates
• Measurement details
• Design details
• Advance payment and total price

Without this memo, order management can become complicated. Therefore, right from the start of your business, use an accounting app that allows you to keep records as well as create invoices or memos. One such app is HishabPati.

6. Accounting and inventory management

No matter how small the business is, if accounts are not kept properly, losses are inevitable. In this case, a good accounting app or accounting software should be used. The HishabPati app could be the best solution for you. By using it, you can—

• You will get the order accounts
• You will be able to track expenses and profits
• You will get purchase and sales reports
• You will be able to save customer information
• You will be able to keep track of outstanding dues.
• You can easily manage all this information from your mobile.

7. Strengthen marketing and customer relationships

To build a successful tailor shop, making good clothes alone is not enough; promoting it is also necessary.

• Create a Facebook page and share your designs.
• Showcase new models on Instagram
• Give references among your acquaintances
• Give a visiting card at the time of delivery.

If your service is good, your old customers will bring you new clients.

Finally, one thing to remember: no matter how skilled you are, take a sewing training course. It will help you a lot. Also, you can buy various books on sewing training. Occasionally, watch different tutorials on YouTube as well.

Remember, the better the preparation, the better the result!

To prepare for starting a tailoring business, you need to conduct market analysis, take sewing training, plan your shop, acquire sewing machines, manage memos or invoices, keep accounts, and do marketing. If you follow these steps correctly, you can become a successful tailoring entrepreneur. And if you want to avoid mistakes in accounting, using the HishabPati app will help you manage your business more accurately. 

Just as tailoring is a creative sector, it is also a business that requires skillful management. If you take every step of preparation seriously, success is only a matter of time! 

Demo - View this & start your journey with HishabPati in three simple steps!

• Step 1: Sign up on HishabPati 

First, go to the HishabPati website and create an account for your business. Or, to make managing your business easier, download and install the ‘HishabPati’ app for free today.

✅HishabPati Android app

✅HishabPati iOS app

Then complete the registration. The registration process in HishabPati is very easy and completely free!

• Step 2: Set up your company 

After signing up, first set up your business profile by providing the necessary information as the owner. Then, set up essential business aspects such as inventory, units, purchases and sales, outstanding balances, invoices, and transactions. After that, start updating daily transactions.

• Step 3: Enjoy the various features of HishabPati 

After starting to keep business accounts on HishabPati, make use of the necessary and unique features, such as invoicing, barcode scanning, units, and expense management, among others. 

Watch a demo video on YouTube in Bengali to understand the usage and features of HishabPati in detail. 

Digital ledger for income and expenses – HishabPati demo.

HishabPati's subscription fee starts at just 99 Taka!

HishabPati is Bangladesh's easiest and most affordable accounting app. Its subscription fee is divided into monthly and annual terms, with three budget-friendly packages available.

• 01. Basic Package: The Basic package is completely free! This means you can try out the app without purchasing a subscription.
• 02. Premium Package: The monthly subscription fee for the premium package is just BDT.99. And there's a 17% discount on annual subscriptions! It will cost only 999 taka in a year!
• 03. Business Package: The monthly subscription fee for the Business package is just 199 Taka. Like the Premium package, the annual subscription also comes with a 17% discount, making the yearly cost only 1990 Taka.

Know about all features of packages today in details & choose your desired package. Good luck with your business!