Togbale Agnes is a fashion designer and the owner of Doffes fashion. I sew ladies wear, wedding gowns, engagement dresses, kids wear, mens shirts and many more. Currently, I work in the house for now. If I am able to get the grant, I will be able to buy the industrial sewing machine, knitting (embroidery) machine and a set of dummies (3) so that it can enhance my work. Currently I am using only one small sewing machine which does not enhance my work because I have customers who want their work to be made express to charge extra more, but due to lack of machines. I have to travel to knit dresses and that one takes time and money. I know if I am to get the grant, I will be able to buy the machine which will enhance my work and help me to be able to do my work and reach my customer’s needs. Doffes fashion started in December 2021 with one small table top sewing machine.
Watch Agnes’ pitch video below
I am a Junior High School graduate who also went for training in dress making. With the one machine that I have, I introduced my business to Church members, friends and the community members. I started working with five (5) customers at the beginning of my business who were so loyal to me because of the care I gave them. Currently I have 25 regular customers.
Describe your best customers (age, gender, income, where they live, occupation, education level, interests). I sew for all ages from the infants to the oldest, boys and girls, male and female, because I sew unisex clothing it helps me get more income. My customers live within the Greater Accra and Tema region of Ghana.
What is the problem your product or service solves for your customer? One of my customers was confused about the type of dress she should wear to a friend’s wedding. When she came to me I sewed a gorgeous dress for her and she was very happy about the dress, through that I got three customers from her.
Why do your customers do business with you rather than the competition (how are you different or better)? My customers chose me because l sew unisex clothing and wedding gowns and many more and most importantly I give them good customer care. The advantage is that if a female customer brings me work to do for her I have the opportunity to sew for the whole family which helps me make more profit.
Describe each of the main products or services you sell.* I sew ladies wear, wedding gowns, engagement dresses, kids wear, mens shirts and many more.
What price does the customer pay for each of these products?
Kids wear 4.55 USD, ladies wear 9.09 USD, engagement dress 54.55 USD, wedding gowns 272.73 USD , mens shirts 6.36 USD.
How much does it cost you to provide each of these products? List the cost-of-goods (expense) for each.
Kids wear cost me 1.82 USD, ladies wear cost me 3.18 USD , engagement dress cost me 7.27 USD, wedding gown cost me 29.55 USD, shirt cost me 1.64 USD .
Unit sales margins are:
- kids wear sells for 4.55 – 1.82 = 2.73 (60%) margin
- ladies wear sells for 9.09 – 3.18 = 5.91 (65%) margin
- engagement dress sell for 54.55 – 7.27 = 47.28 (87%) margin
- wedding gowns sell for 272.73 – 29.55 = 243.18 (89%) margin
- mens shirts sell for 6.36 – 1.64 = 4.72 (74%) margin
Sales for the previous 3 months:
- March = $150
- April = $155
- May = $165
Below are cash flow statements from the 4th quarter of 2022. To convert the figures into US dollars simply divide each number by 10. For example, income for the 1st week of October was $17.50.
Every month I pay myself a commission of $50 and save $85 for the business. I am looking forward to making $400 and above in a month if I am able to get the grant to purchase the machines that I need to do the work very quickly and to deliver on my customers’ needs. Then I will not have to travel to do knitting (embroidery) on the dresses, which will increase profit and also cut cost.
How do your customers pay you (cash, credit card, mobile money, credit, check)?* Cash
How often do these regular customers buy from you and what is the typical sales revenue for one order?
Often but not consistent and also get customers who bring alterations for me to do and also get income. I hope to get a knitting machine that will help me to do knitting on people’s dresses they have sewn to charge them and get income.
How do your current customers know you exist? * They know by my WhatsApp status post, going out to talk to them.
Why did you choose this business?* I chose fashion designing because I love fashion so well and also fashion is dominating the world.
If given a grant, how would you spend the funds? If I am able to get the grant I will buy a knitting machine which costs $372.68 USD, an industrial sewing machine which costs $318.14 USD, mannequin (3) pieces which cost $190.89USD.
Name your top 3 ways to find new customers* I go out and look for customers by introducing my product to them, post on my WhatsApp status and also if my customers wear the dress I sew for them I get new customers.
How many suppliers do you buy from? Do you buy in bulk?* I have more than three suppliers, and I buy my goods in bulk.
My business is has already started, and I have been in business for more than 1 year
My business is my only source of income.