Can I Start a Clothing Business With 50k?

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The short answer is Yes. You can start a clothing business with 50k in Kenya. But you still need the breakdown of how you are going to use the 50k. Right?

Someone asked this question a few days ago, and I have decided to answer her and many others who want to venture into this business.

Well, in this blog, I will break for you how you can spend 50k to start a clothing business in Kenya. From the amount of rent, you expect to pay for the business permit and the new stock.

So stay with me so that you can make your entrepreneurial journey a success. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to join our Newsletter to receive business insights regularly.

How to Start a Clothing Business With 50k in Kenya

The clothing business is one of the booming ventures in Kenya, with most employees running it as a side hustle alongside their main job. So, yes, you can start a clothing business in Kenya as a side hustle or a main business.

So first things first, you need to find a good and busy location and identify your target customers. You should know that different factors such as age, and levels of income determine the purchasing power in the clothing business.

Therefore, depending on the location you want to start your business, you need to research the general population of the area. You can also visit some of the clothing businesses in your area and take a short note of the kind of clothes they have and who they are targeting.

Most clothing businesses target ladies aged between 17 and 50, showcasing different styles and types of attire. However, I would advise you to be a bit unique and add some male clothes because you may as well attract more client base.

What You Need to Start a Clothing Business in Kenya

A Space

You need to rent out a space in a busy street where you are likely to attract more walk-in customers.

Depending on your location, you can rent a stall renting out for Ksh.5,000 to Ksh. 10,000. When searching for your preferred location, ensure you try and minimize the rent expenditure because it’s recurring monthly.

After you have gotten your stall, you need to install hooks where you can hang your trees. You also need to have shelves for storing unopened clothes to save them from dust.

In this case, you will only be displaying a few clothes for the customers to see. This would cost you about Ksh.5000.

You also need different sizes of dummies and hangers for displaying clothes outside your store. This will attract more customers passing by your business.

Business Permit & Health Licence

Do not underestimate the need for a business permit and health license when starting out your business. Paying your business permit on time saves you from disturbances from county officials while doing your business.

Therefore, depending on your location, you will pay a business permit starting from Ksh. 4000 to Ksh.10,000, charged annually. However, some counties such as Makueni County have rolled the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo for business permits. You can enquire about this with your county government personnel.

What to Stock

After you have set up your store, you need to start filling it with clothes. Now, according to the research you did in your location, start buying your stock in wholesale.

I always recommend getting your clothes in Nairobi, especially the Gikomba and Eastleigh areas. In these areas, you can get clothes for all people including children and gents. However, don’t get swayed to stock something that may be an issue to sell in your shop.

You can prioritize quality over quantity to penetrate the market. Don’t misunderstand this because you can still get high-quality clothes at a fair price.

Consider searching for the following stock to start your clothing business in Kenya.

Dresses
Skirts & blouses
Lady trousers
Ladies shoes

Having spent at most Ksh. 20,000 in setting up your store, you can spend the remaining Ksh.30k to stock your business.

For instance, as of the time of writing this blog post, you can get quality dresses in Eastleigh with Ksh.300. With this price, you can get as many as 50 dresses and channel the rest of the cash to skirts, blouses, trousers, and shoes. You can also recalculate and stock other dresses that you can get at Ksh.1000 and above.

After you have stocked your business, ensure you note down all that customers don’t get in your store. This list will help you during your next stock purchase.

Marketing Your Clothings Business in Kenya

Use WhatsApp

There are several ways you can market your clothing business in Kenya. Starting with the basics is getting high-quality photos and posting them daily on your WhatsApp status.

WhatsApp is a powerful tool for building personal connections with your customers in Kenya. It enables direct, one-on-one communication, allowing you to provide personalized recommendations, answer inquiries promptly, and offer exceptional customer service.

However, you should use WhatsApp Business to create a professional profile, showcase your product catalogue, and manage customer interactions efficiently.

In addition, send out regular updates, exclusive offers, and behind-the-scenes content to keep your customers engaged. You should also encourage customers to share photos of themselves wearing your clothes, and use this content to build trust and social proof.

Remember to respect privacy and obtain customer consent before adding them to your broadcast list.

Use TikTok

You can open a personal TikTok account and start selling your stock to potential buyers. Use music to entice more viewers to stop by.

TikTok is a goldmine for clothing businesses in Kenya. Its short, snappy video format is perfect for showcasing your products in a fun and engaging way.

You can leverage popular trends, create catchy soundtracks, and use captivating visuals to grab attention. In addition, encourage user-generated content through challenges and contests to boost brand visibility.

Building a strong community through consistent posting, replying to comments, and collaborating with other creators is crucial.

Additionally, don’t forget to explore TikTok’s advertising options to reach a wider audience and drive sales. Remember, authenticity is key, so let your brand’s personality shine through in every video.

You can follow various people who sell their clothes on TikTok and learn from them. From what you get, add some unique ways to stand out in the market. Always include your booking number that clients can use to place orders.

Use Facebook

Facebook is a powerful platform for marketing a clothing business in Kenya. Here are the ways you can use it to thrive in your clothing business in Kenya.

Create a Facebook page

Ensure your business name, logo, contact information, and business description are accurate and engaging. In addition, you should use high-quality images of your clothing line as your profile and cover photos. Encourage visitors to like, share, and follow your page.

Build an engaged community

You should embrace a strong community by sharing visually appealing content showcasing your products, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and fashion tips. You should also respond promptly to comments, messages, and reviews.

Increase engagement and reach by offering run contests and giveaways. You should also join relevant fashion groups to interact with potential customers.

Showcase your products

Use professional product photography to highlight your clothing and provide accurate information about the fabric, size, care instructions, and pricing.

Utilize Facebook Ads

Define your ideal customer based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Experiment with different ad formats like image ads, video ads, and carousel ads. Then monitor ad performance and make necessary adjustments.

Explore Facebook shops

You should also consider setting up a virtual storefront to showcase and sell your products directly on Facebook.

Leverage Facebook Stories and Reels

You can share behind the scenes to give followers a glimpse into your business.

You can also run polls and quizzes to increase interaction and gather customer insights.

When using reels, include trending sounds and effects to stay relevant and capture the attention of your audience.

Remember that consistency is key. Therefore, you should regularly post engaging content, interact with your audience, and analyze your performance to optimize your Facebook marketing strategy.

Use Instagram

Instagram is a visual powerhouse for showcasing your clothing business in Kenya. Its emphasis on high-quality images and videos makes it perfect for highlighting your products’ aesthetics.

Start by creating a visually stunning feed that reflects your brand’s style and personality. In addition, utilize Instagram Stories to share behind-the-scenes glimpses, offer exclusive discounts, and run interactive polls.

You can also leverage Instagram Reels to create engaging short-form videos that showcase your clothing in action.