How to Start a Shoe Repair Business
Shoe repair is seeing a resurgence in popularity as many consumers are spending more money on good shoes and realizing that fixing them is much more economical than replacing them. Starting a shoe repair business can be an enjoyable way to work for yourself and with your hands. You'll also get to meet a variety of people.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Internet access
- Telephone
- Shoe repair tools
- Shoe repair machinery
- Cash register
- Bookkeeping software
Instructions
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Learn how to repair shoes and related items like boots, purses and belts. If you do not already know how, you will have a difficult time finding a class on the subject. Most cobblers have been apprentices to other cobblers, and with the decrease in the number of shoe repair shops in many places, finding a cobbler willing to teach you the trade may be difficult. There are several cobblers now offering classes in their shops, as well as an academy in Washington, D.C., (Peter Bugs Shoe Repair Academy) that teaches urban youth the trade. There are also workshops and seminars available throughout the United States.
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Write a business plan. It may seem like a simple idea, repair shoes, but it's still a business. Having a well-thought-out business plan will help you find your equipment; find investors (if necessary); settle on your location, whether you are going to have a retail store, work from home or be mobile; establish your goals; and expand if and when the time comes.
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Acquire the right equipment. You will need an industrial or patch sewing machine. This will enable you to sew shoes as well as handbags and belts. A heel wheeler and nailer will repair heels for you, but some cobblers still do this work by hand. Shoe stretchers are also a popular tool, but as with everything else in the trade, you can do this by hand. ,There are a variety of hand tools you will need, in addition to standard business tools like a cash register, computer, printer, and phone. Bookkeeping software is also helpful. Sometimes you can apprentice to someone who is retiring and "inherit" your machinery and tools with the purchase of the business.
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Find your location. If you are not purchasing an existing shop, then you will need to find a site for your business. Some cobblers work out of their vans while others work out of a workshop in their homes. Others decide to sell shoes and other items as well and require a retail location. If you can, locate your business where there are other businesses, like dry cleaners, bookstores, cafes and the like. Having a lot of foot traffic around is a good way for people to remember to drop off their shoes while they're doing something else.
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Call your county or city clerk's office and find out what licenses or permits you need to open your store or have a service based in your home. If you intend to alter your location in any way, you will likely have to go before the local planning commission to get your plans approved.
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Develop promotional materials and advertise your business. This is especially important if your business is new to the area. Design and post flyers around town announcing your new business. Send a press release to the local media.
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Price your work. If you are unsure about what to charge, call other cobblers and ask what they charge. You can also go to the discussion forums on the website for the Shoe Service Institute of America (SSIA) and talk with other cobblers about appropriate pricing.
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Join the SSIA. Chances are that there are not a lot of cobblers in your area and it is not only nice to talk to others who understand your business, but necessary to keep up with trends and ask questions. The SSIA has been around since 1904 and even has an annual convention.
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References
- Photo Credit shoes image by peter Hires Images from Fotolia.com
