Making a fortune from tie and dye business

Today‘s business world demands creativity to succeed, no matter what kind of business one is into. This is because each business needs to be unique.


Generally, handcraft business is good business, especially when it can be distinct and distinguishable from others.

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Linda Ikem, who graduated more than two years ago from one of Nigerian universities, was finding it difficult securing a job for herself. After trying hard to get a job without success, she decided to go in for a skills acquisition training in handcraft.


For her, what people will want regularly caught her appeal. She decided to go into tie and dye business.


She says, “It was difficult at first, because I needed the expertise. Of course, I made mistakes but that later made me better.”


But according to the Managing Director, Fareedah Textile, Mrs. Raliyat Sanusi, it is always difficult starting to learn about the business. She, however, says it gets better once you keep practising to get the best result. She adds that once you are perfect, it becomes an easy thing and the only issue will be to show your creativity in the material.


Sanusi notes that for starters, a minimum capital need, as low as N30,000, may be required to begin with. From this, a profit of about N10,000 can be gotten, noting that the profit may be lower or higher, depending on who one is selling to.”


She adds that one needs to have the passion for art and crafts to be able to turn tie and dye into one’s own business.


It is true that people often enjoy crafts, such as paper crafts or quilting, as they are one-of-a-kind items, but turning tie and dye into a sustainable business requires dedication and training.


She says having an interest in a creative endeavour is not enough to start a craft business; one will need to learn more and acquire much information about the business.


The Managing Director, Bafunke Textile, Mrs. Oluwafunke Babalola, says, ”There is the need to research into the business to know which area to focus on and also have an idea of who you want to sell to.”


She adds that you will need to create a business bank account, as this will let you know how much you make on each set of tie and dye material you produce.


Sanusi stresses, “You will need space to work because this handcraft has more to do with space.


Both Sanusi and Babalola agree that learning how to make tie and dye material is fun. It is also good to practise with lots of old T-shirts because it is important to know how different types of fabric react and produce different patterned hues when different concentrations of dye are applied on them.


They agree that with creativity and experimentation, one can make money selling bright, beautiful tie and dye material. Sanusi stresses that when starting the business, it is better to keep the production low as one concentrates on learning the techniques.


She adds that since it is a new business, one is not sure of the number of customers to expect. So, it is better to do it in small quantity.


”Your work will speak for you; so you must try to make the tie and dye fabric very beautiful and original as much as possible. Also, do a good job so that you will get calls for more order,” Babalola says.


She also notes that creativity is key in this business, as this will help differentiate your fabric from the rest.


Sanusi notes further, “As a starter, one needs to be competitive, by reducing the price tag on the fabric so as to get more customers. When they find out the quality is good, they will ask for more.


”Because you will be contending with those already in the market, you need to be competitive in your prices and quality. This will help to give you better publicity as well.”