Embroidery is an ornamental needlework which is associated with fashion and style. Starting from small assignments to creating logo designs on corporate uniform, this business can range from a small cottage industry to a large business model.
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Embroidery Business in India
Requirements of the business
You would need an embroidery machine or a sewing machine. You can also buy computerized embroidery machine. The staff you would require depends on the size of the business. Apart from the machine, you would need other small tools like threads, spools, needles, spare parts and others. Your computerized embroidery machine would also require authentic software. There are a lot of manufacturers who are ready to lease or sell the product on instalment basis. Alternatively, you can use banks or co-operative societies to get your finances straight. You need not rent a space unless you are planning to do it on a medium scale. Small scale venture can be done by using a small room in your house.
If you plan to rent a retail space, it would not cost more than 5,000 rupees per month. You can buy the equipments through EMI. In such a case, the EMI per month would not exceed more than 2000-3000 rupees. Thus, it is a small investment business.
Apart from these major investments, you need to create a sample book that has pictures of your previous masterpieces. If you are planning to advertise your business in yellow pages and other channels, you need to register the business.
General information about the market
In this business, the people in your close circle become your potential customers. Through them, you can generate leads that can be converted into sales. The other potential customers include small retail stores, clubs, local sport teams and others who would request you to craft their logo in their uniforms. Adding your business to online yellow pages would do the trick of exposing you to better customers. You can also gain more leads by participating in many social events.
Since the investment is very small and the skill is easily learnt, the entry to the market is very easy and the amount of competition is very high. Switching cost for the consumers is very low and thus, it is a customer driven market.
Profitability of the business
If you plan on buying plain garments and embroidering them and selling again to retail shops, you can enjoy 80% to 100% profit margin. If you get corporate or small retail clients for designing their uniforms, you would be charged between 2 and 4 rupees per thousand stitches (not clothes). With high technology machines, you can stitch about 5000 stitches in five minutes. A typical logo would require 3000-4000 stitches in it. You can calculate the amount of money that you can generate in a day, if you could find the right customers.
Attracting clients
We have already discussed the type of clients that you would be able to attract in this market. The only way that you can attract client is to show them how your work is. Create samples and provide them small gifts with your samples to express your talents. If possible, you can also create an online presence by developing a website for the corporate clients to get in touch. Have online booking system and cash on delivery option to make things easier for high end clients. It would not take more than 2,000 rupees to get a website with all tools for you to market your product to a large base.
Provide your samples to garment magazines (local magazines), business houses and also to small retail garment businesses to attract more client base.
Another way of attracting clients is to make your company a popular one. The best way is to teach a few students about the embroidery techniques. You can take them as your human resources too if they excel. This is also a way to gain more revenue.
Scope of the business
Garment decoration is a multi-crore business in India. The embroidery works has no wane or fade no matter how the fashion style changes. This business has been a successful one even during the recession. It is all about creating a niche. You cannot satisfy all kinds of customer, not at least for the first few years. Create a niche for your business and customize your services.
The first misconception is that this is a woman’s business. This is a formal business that can be taken by both men and women. There is a very high demand for decorated garments and this business would have a high scope in the future. It is up to you to create a customized service for your customers to protect them from your competitors. Due to the nature of the business, you would be facing a lot of competitors in your niche. Always keep your eyes and ears open for any technology and fashion updates in the industry to stay in the market.
