By Bimbola Oyesola

Have you ever wondered those products that irrespective of the economic situation would always be in demand? One of such is rubber slipper. Producing rubber slipper is a great business idea in Nigeria as slipper is a regular use item in every household. Urban or rural, you will definitely find a pair of slipper for every member of a household. Slippers are usually made up of rubbers and the rubber slipper manufacturing process is a simple one and can be easily started on a small scale unit.

Irrespective of the numbers of the family, a pair of slippers is mandatory to have for each. Men, women or children, everyone uses slippers. It is usually used inside the house. Some people use it in the car to drive, while some fanciful ones can also serve as outing and casual wear. Even at this period of raining season, it is not out of place to see ladies wearing slippers and keep their expensive shoes in the bag to wear when eventually get to the offices or parties. With the 180 million population in the country, entrepreneur going into the slipper making business will really hit a gold mine.

Below are basic tips you need to start the business:

Business Plan

A business plan is a must to create before commencing any business. A business plan contains the complete details about the operation of the business. It will contain all your planning on starting the business and steps to grow the business. A well crafted business plan also helps to get financial assistance from banks.

Research

To go into any business at all, it is important to do a thorough investigation on the line of the business, dito for the slipper making business. It is a must to do a thorough analysis of the project. Find out about the competition of the business idea in your location and check the operating procedure of the same. Get details about the market where to sell your products and from where to purchase the raw materials.

Finance

The slipper making business can be on a small scale and you can as well expand your scope depending on the funds available. If you want to go on a small scale, you would not need a huge investment. But you will need money for the purchase of machinery and for the regular operation of the business. With the government  various supports for the SME sector, you may get loans to start your business. You just need a well crafted business plan for the same.

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Location

The location for starting the slipper making business is not an important factor as you will not be dealing with direct customers. So, it is suggested to rent or lease or buy a place in cheaper location. If you have place in your house, you can also utilise the same. But due to transportation cost, it may be cost saving if you are not far from your customers.

Registration

Another most important thing is to register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). This would give your business an identity as well as branding for your products. It would also protect your products from being  adulterated.

Hence for starting and operating the slipper making business, you need to take this legal step. It will not be an issue to get registered with the government programme on Ease of Doing Business which has now make registration possible within 48 hours. You only need to contact CAC office nearest to you.

Marketing

To capture the market, you need to do extensive marketing about your slipper making business. Take all necessary steps to get maximum exposure in the market and get the best customers to sell your products. You can also make use of social media, radio jingles as well as some sales promotion by offering discounts to your customers.

Maintain high quality

Quality and price are the two important and decisive factors behind the success of any business. So, if you want to start slipper making business or any other, never compromise with the quality of the product and fix the best reasonable price of the same.