Namuel Designs
Promoting African textiles worldwide and creating jobs for the Ghanaian women
I wish to prepare locally made garments for men and women. These Ghanaian textiles will have a local touch that can be successfully exported onto the international market. My business will create employment for youth and allow illiterate people to gain important skills for a more meaningful life.
Facts
2008
| Two years ago: | |
| Last year: | |
| This year (forecast): | 25,200 |
| Year 2 (forecast): | 50,400 |
| Year 3 (forecast): | 65,520 |
| Two years ago: | |
| Last year: | |
| This year (forecast): | 6,000 |
| Year 2 (forecast): | 10,000 |
| Year 3 (forecast): | 12,000 |
| Two years ago: | |
| Last year: | |
| This year (forecast): | 8 |
| Year 2 (forecast): | 12 |
| Year 3 (forecast): | 16 |
How do you expect this to be financed? Please note: the total amount mentioned here should be equal to the total finance needed at the previous question.
| Own Contribution in cash | 500 |
| Loans (debt) | 1,000 |
| Share capital that you seek from investors (equity) | |
| Other sources | 500 |
| Total finance needed (US$) | 2,000 |
The Business
The product
My product’s unique African textiles will be designed for both sexes. Clothing will include shirts, blouses, skirts, trousers, table mats, hats and bags. I will use typical Ghanaian textiles such as Batik and utilize local fashion styles. To produce my goods I will require a garment factory (or something equivalent) equipped with sewing machines, sicssors, irons, ironing boards, threads, pins, tailors chalk, thimbles, and needles.
Initially, I will require seven labourers: five machinists, one ironer and one person for attachment of garment accessories and hanging of garments. These people should already have skills needed to do this job. In the two following years, my team will grow to fifteen.
The demand chain
I will establish a solid niche market here in Ghana and export my products worldwide.
The clothing will be sold to wholesalers in Ghana and also in European countries (first in Poland). They will then be distributed to particular shops. I will also open my own shop in Accra (Ghana’s capital city). I will prepare different collections for Europe’s changing seasons.
I have two target groups: 1.) Ghanaians who enjoy wearing the uniquely styled African clothing. 2.) European customers, primarily women aged 20-40 who are interested in African designed clothing. Eventually, my designs sold in Europe will target both sexes and all ages.
The supply chain
The raw materials, which I need to produce my product are Batik, tie and dye, Akosombo Textiles (ATL), Ghana Textiles Products (GTP), thread, tailor’s chalk, buttons, zippers, hook and eye, thimble, pins, veline, tape measurer.
These materials are always available and readily accessible in Ghana throughout the year. It will be easy to use these materials as these products are common. My suppliers will be producers and sellers of the textiles, sellers of garment accessories. In the future would like to produce Batik in my factory and thus will require a regular supply of Batik.
Marketing in Ghana will emphasize the importance of building Namuel Designs for the creation of jobs for women. The strategies will emphasize quality of clothing and meet the specific needs of Ghanaians who are accustomed to having clothing sewn according to their measurements.
My competitors in Ghana are general clothing sellers, who sell already made garments and don’t give their customers an opportunity for better fitting. I emphasize the finish and every detail of the clothing. My product will be of better quality but the price will be comparable to my competitors. I will also give discounts to my permanent clients.
For customers in Europe, my products will be attractive to fans of African designs and supporters of fair trade. I will reach these clients via web-based shopping, and subsequent shipping of orders to business partners in Europe. My competitors will be general clothing sellers. In the second year I would like to organize fashion shows and also take part in fashion fairs and any events, which promote African cultures abroad.
The prices for European wholesalers will enable them sell these garments for a good price.
The uniqueness is the style of seamlines and my different way of arranging and putting of fabric pieces together.
I will use only textiles made in Ghana to create modern style of traditional fashion. My clothing will not only satisfy my customer’s needs on shape but also design of material.
The Entrepreneur & Management
I have a tremendous amount of experience using textiles and properly tailoring garments to suit bodies. Furthermore, I have extensive training and knowledge of constructing garments, detailing garments construction and cutting patterns. I also have experience designing millinery, including hats, earrings, and other accessories. My training at the Accra Polytechnic in fashion design has also given me the professional and practical knowledge of fashion design. This includes both men and women’s designs
I have contacts with international customers and because of this, I am aware of their expectations and wants for garment make and quality. I also have extensive customer service experience dealing with customers specific demands. I know that this will make me an effective business owner.
Development
After three years I will employ at least 15 women from the local community. In the first year I will also have the indirect impact on the employment thanks to buying materials and garment accessories from the local suppliers. I will also need an electrecian, a cleaner and a machine specialist.
At the beginning I will employ six persons and fourteen persons by the end of the third year.
Initially, the annual revenue of this group will be about $17.000 (16.085.000 GHC) and $35.000 (34.468.000 GHC) by the third year.
The payment thats will be given to my workers will change their living standards. They will be able to rent a room, purchase cloths of their own interest and also save money for future.
Apart from my workers I will train sixty unemployed women from the local community. They obtain knowledge and skills in professional drawing, cutting and sewing.