How to Start a Shoe Mending Business
In today's throwaway society, shoe repair shops have become something of a dinosaur. More and more, however, people are doing their part to recycle, decrease waste and repair and reuse household items, including clothing and accessories. Shoe repair, also known as cobbling, is an age-old art that requires dedication to quality craftsmanship. It is for this reason you may feel motivated to start a shoe mending business. As customers see how you prolong the life span of their favorite shoes, you just may see great success over time.
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Things You'll Need
- Business plan
- Tax ID number
- Business license
- Shoe repair equipment
- Shop space
Instructions
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Familiarize yourself with the various kinds of shoes and their history. Read Jonathan Walford's "The Seductive Shoe: Four Centuries of Fashion Footwear" and Linda O'Keefe's "Shoes: A Celebration of Pumps, Sandals, Slippers & More." Regularly read the website of the American Apparel and Footwear Association to keep up with shoe and boot trends and styles.
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Learn to mend shoes. Unlike many other trades, schools do not offer shoe repair degrees or certificate programs. Others looking to work in shoe repair sometimes have taken introductory courses at community colleges or as part of college extension programs. More often, however, they work as apprentices with seasoned shoe and leather craftspeople.
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Join the Shoe Service Institute of America (SSIA). Founded in 1904, the SSIA maintains a website that updates members on industry news, lists contact information for wholesalers and suppliers and posts classifieds for equipment sales and business opportunities. The site also has chat rooms and forums for shoe service professionals.
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Write a business plan that includes an executive summary, market analysis, company description, overview of your management plan, description of your services, a list of your funding requirements and your current finances.
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Check with your Secretary of State office to learn about filing a business name, getting a tax ID number and any other necessary documentation for starting a small business. Since filing requirements vary by county and municipality, call your county's small business center or business license office, which can inform you of any additional documents you might need.
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Scout commercial properties for lease. Your location should be a high-traffic area with plenty of parking. Before signing a lease, make sure you understand all terms of your agreement with the property owner.
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Purchase equipment and supplies, including stitchers, trimmers, nailers, finishers and worktables. Buy second-hand machinery and equipment to cut costs.
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Set up shop and open your business. Throw a grand opening and invite your friends, neighbors and family members. Ask them to spread the word. Offer plenty of specials and discounts the first few weeks.
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Advertise in local publications and partner with a company that sends savings mailers to residents. Offer frequent-customer discount programs. Ask shoe stores if you can post advertisements in their stores or leave fliers with them. To further promote your business, emphasize its "green" element---repairing shoes means less landfill waste. Plus, patronizing small, local businesses is always good for the local economy.
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Tips & Warnings
To reduce your financial risk, lease a space in a shoe or leather goods store. After your business grows, you can move to your own shop.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit shoes image by peter Hires Images from Fotolia.com
