Love Fashion? Learn about the Accessories Business

Hello, it's another opportunity for us to get inspired! Now, I got a lot of people asking since the last article how they could be just like Yinka 'SHAMUS' Hughes of Accessories by Shamus. She truly inspired quite a lot of young people out there............ ' Accessories are a beauty'. the next question that pops is how to earn doing this business

We realize that in Nigeria, even with an income, it is always nice to have an extra. No offence but this helps give some extra luxury many seek for.

This article will focus on SHAMUS and how you can start making a living or that extra income in the business of accessories. Accessories are a big deal in Fashion.

 Fashion as an artifact of culture teaches us about our and other societies’ histories. The line between fashion and art becomes blurry when we look at how fashion is presented these days. Fashion has never been more accessible to the masses than it is today. Now anyone can look DIVA.

A few years back in Nigeria, many people would not wear any form of accessory if it was not gold but today the love for colours and art has come to change many of minds.

 

This art of accessorizing can be learned very quickly depending on your interest in mastering the art and working on building your creativity in the art.

 Many places teach the art of making accessories but to make it in the market you have to carve a niche for yourself, a style that is unique to you and this I have been told comes from practice.

Marketing your art is also very important, get to sit with people who have been in the business of buying and selling to show you a few tricks of the trade.  If your art is unique your customer base will grow. Market what you do, start with friends and family. Market on the social media!  its mostly free!There is nothing that can not flourish as a business.

I asked Yinka Hughes some more questions to shed light to her business and where it is headed.

These are some of the questions Yinka answered for us

Work by Accessories by Shamus

Q: When was this vision/ business born?

A: Accessories by Shamus started off in March 2011...though I read law at The Ogun State University I'd always loved Colours and especially Accessories and I owned quite a bit so I decided to try my hand at designing....presto!!! Accessories by shamus was born.

Q: Where are you Located presently?

A:We are based in Lagos Nigeria and though we are mainly operate through online sales we also have a stop over(our workshop) in Surulere (Lagos, Nigeria), where customers can come pick up items.

Q: What have you done in terms of business expansion?

A:We have currently gone into partnership with a Fashion Marketing firm for African designers to showcase our Designs outside Africa...we are so proud of this and look forward to interacting with a broader base.

Q:What is Next ?

A: Apart from our current partnership with a Fashion Marketing Firm , we are currently expanding our Unique Traditional/Bridal Collection(a break away from the usual pieces out there)

Q: What will you say are the Challenges you had along the way to getting to where you are now?

A: Expanding my customer base was really hard at first...I had to put adverts on Facebook and a few other things and by the Grace of God we are getting there.

Under Pricing has also been issue, still an issue! but with God everything will get better.(smiles)

Q: What Tips do you have for people thinking of venturing into this business or any business at all?

A: Persevere!!! As long as you are good at what you do, work hard, try and upgrade your skills , perseverance will see you through

Q: Do you organize trainings for people who want to learn this art?

A: No we don't train for now though we've been asked numerous times,  when we start training, it will be part of an empowerment programme for mothers and will be free.