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Here is another interesting story a young entrepreneur.
The company Fresh & Crisp Laundry and Dry cleaning started November 2015 is doing tremendously well. Ik Obasi who hails from Abia
state after quitting his job at a telecommunication company decided to set up a
laundry and dry cleaning service.
Let’s hear him:
What inspired you? Having
applied for many jobs in the past whereby the
attractive ones seem unreachable. Sometimes they will ask you (a job
seeker) to
pay a lump sum of money in order to secure a job you are not even sure
of. After seeing all these and what youths suffer in the name of job
seeking hence the
desire and zeal to become a job creator burned inside of me. Even in
that drive
I was confused about what, where and how to start. First I began to
study
my environment on a wide range to identify a need that requires a
solution. However
I observed that we particularly need laundry & dry cleaning firm as
there were
only a few established ones. I thought to myself, why not start a
laundry &
Dry cleanings services? That was my turning point! My love for neatness,
good
and sharp looks also spurred me to start up one.
How did you start?
I arranged with someone who is in similar field. In his firm he tutored,
guided and directed me on the nitty-gritty of the job. I had to watch the
process, see them do it and I learnt. This lasted 2 to 3 days and that was it. The
crux of the whole matter was starting my own company and that was November
2015. Next is creating awareness which is targeted at getting clients from my
locality first.
What is your staff strength? When I started last
November, I was doing all by myself. Then by December patronage started to
increase. That was when I got one staff that was solely in charge of the
ironing. Time later, I also got a receptionist for festive period to assist.
But presently it’s just me, one staff and we are doing great.
What were the requirements? These include and are not limited to:
·
Office or a space with backroom
·
Washing machine- Optional (can do manual for a
start)
·
Furniture & Fittings
·
Painting
·
Fliers, banner etc.
·
Receipt booklet
·
Company registration @CAC
·
Built padded table for ironing
·
Cellophane bag for packaging
·
Hangers
·
Detergent
·
Water
·
Spreading area
·
Steam iron box
·
Fan or Air conditioner
·
Generator(optional for a start)
·
Etc.
What is the average startup cost? Well it depends on
your area but it will not cost more than 400,000 naira. It can be lesser if you
start in a compound first before moving into an office. If also you do a
thorough manual wash before procuring washing machine, these will cut down the
initial required capital. The main thing is to start and if you must, start
from somewhere.
Please explain the process: First I receive cloth from a client. This
is followed by drafting a receipt indicating a 70% advance payment, details of
the cloth and pick up date.
Tagging: After that I take a picture of the cloth or clothes
transfer to the laptop, save against the client’s name and tag them. This is to
for easy identification and to guard against sheer mix up.
Sorting: I sort clothes that have similar colors taking cognizance of the
ones that run colors. Those are to be washed separately to avoid any cross
contact.
How do you build your clientele?
Honestly speaking, it is not easy sourcing and maintaining clients
especially at this on stage. This is because considering the fact that you are
not the sole launderer and drycleaner domiciled in that area. In actual fact,
competition is inevitable especially in the society where people are working so
hard to earn a living.
With all these, I had to cut down my own price especially being a starter
in the field to attract customers. When others charge N600 for a pair of suit
and N400 for a shirt, mine became N500 and N300 respectively while maintaining
my standard and excellence. This fetched me certain amount of clients who till
date patronize my company and I ensure I render excellent customer service cum management,
thanking them for their patronage while craving their indulgence them to call
again.
What is your selling point? Mostly in terms of pricing, I give discounts
to new customers and also set a standard pick up time for 48 working hours. I
tend to convince a prospective client and give them reason why they should
patronize my company, assuring them on excellent services; prompt pick
up/delivery, affordable services etc. I must say, those who did never regretted
doing so as I keep getting recommendation.
At what margin do you make your profit and How has it
been so far? Well for a starter like me, it’s quite impressive. The cost of
washing suit is N300 or less and shirt is N150 so for a pair of suit and a
shirt I make N200 and N150 respectively. So if I was 300 pair of suits and
shirts in a month I will make N60, 000 and N45, 000 respectively totaled N105,
000.
What are your challenges so far?
·
Non steady patronage: Sometimes turn up will go
up and down. So my hands are on the desk
mapping out means of attracting clients.
·
Low pricing: Prospective customers who have
never tried your service may turn out to price you very low. What I do? I calm
down and explain the modus operandi of washing suits, why the price differ, why
it requires steaming instead of direct heating as in the case of shirts and
others. By the time I finished narrating, they will be fully convinced and
assured of the services I rendering.
·
Power outage: What I do is to time myself, work
with and take advantage of the power supply in my area. So far the power outage
is not frequent but few times it happens, I resort to the generator as a
backup.
What is your marketing Strategy? I have already printed fliers to distribute.
Also I plan to meet establishments; company’s, houses etc. and introduce my
company to them.
Aspiration: I
am working towards becoming the one stop dry cleaning company worldwide staring
from Ikotun in Lagos and its environment.
I also intend to expand with time.
Advice to aspiring youths: All I can say is Patience!
You need a whole of it while starting up, not
just laundry and Dry Cleaning Company but every business requires patience.
For the first three months, ensure you have a
fall back capital set out from the initial capital used in starting the
business, no amount is small. It’s a step by step growth. I can recall I made
gain of N40, 000 the first month and it kept increasing. I was fulfilled and
said to myself, wow I made it!
*****
Me: Thank you Ik, it was a wonderfully inspiring moment with
you. This will go a long way educating youths who want to set up a laundry
firm. McFochGate wishes you the best in your endeavours.
For those residing in Ikotun area of Lagos state(see address on the banner), Fresh
& Crisp Laundry and dry cleaning services hereby requests your kind
patronage. He will surely render good services. Let’s encourage a hardworking
citizen like us.
**For further consultation, questions, advisory services
towards starting up a business etc.Want
to share your experience, stories to inspire others, kindly contact us. We will arrange a meeting with you.
Dear Youths, Dear aspiring Young Entrepreneurs, Dear All, If
I can do it, if IK can do it, if others can do it, then you can do it. It’s a matter of telling
yourself I can! You don’t have to wait and sit for things to happen, for that
job in your fantasy to manifest. Most times it doesn’t work that way.
**Do you know that you may be gainfully employed, earning big
bucks and yet unfulfilled? You may have that innate unrest, passion and quest
for entrepreneurship; why not take the bold step. What if this job is taken
away from you and another one doesn’t show up fast, what would you do to
survive? Do you know you can be employed
and also be an employer of labor, it’s about priority and time management.
**If you want to be among people who will create jobs for
others why not dare your fear. McFochGate is also here to guide you through. So
many great people solved a problem by looking the most feared in the eyes and
challenging them. First what to do? Identify a need, think up an idea, take a
bold step and move into action. As a starter, you may have to be the CEO,
receptionist, marketer, accountant, etc. depending on the nature of the job.
Most of it all encourage yourself and don’t encourage any negative talks. Don’t
think of the return first, it will eventually come but build first.
**Mingle with people who will motivate and inspire you
especially people who have passed through that stage to get to an enviable
height. Learn from your mistakes, learn from their own mistakes as well, and
don’t wait until it happens to you. Above all keep growing, keep learning, be
customer centric, ensure excellent service, maintain high integrity, be humble,
be hardworking, cut down your sleep, read entrepreneurship books, research,
surf the net, wear a smile always, look good, be what you sell, keep
strategizing, and don’t stop.
I also advise you to maintain a good customer relationship and ensure you get proper feedback from your customer, by this you will decipher their
needs, expectations, comments and how they feel about your services. This will
enable you to improve further.
God being your help, you will get there.
Cheers!
