I became an int’l brand with just N15,000’

Andrew George is the CEO of GROOMS WARDROBE (GW), a company that deals in sewing suits, corporate casual wears, traditional attires etc. He speaks with ’RONKE SANYA on how he borrowed money to start his business which has now grown to international level, where he has customers in foreign countries and more.

ADVERTISEMENT

What inspired or influenced your decision to start up a business that deals in making suits?
I have always loved fashion. I would rather overdress than to under dress within the walls of my house; talk more of stepping out for any reason. I started off by working with Kabiosi Fashion in Ibadan. I helped in marketing his wares and selling his brands way back then before I later got to start up my own business.
Are you strictly into making suits alone?
Oh no. I also make traditional attire and corporate casual wears which was my area of specialisation and the main reason why I ventured into it.
So, why the name Grooms Wardrobe?
While I was yet working with my boss, it was a period when most of the jobs I handled were clothing the groom and groom’s men. God blessed me with the creative idea of apparel colour combination, which was why I was made to function in that area of clothing groom’s men. So, I fully accepted and endorsed the name.
When you decided to start up your own business after working with your boss for a while, what were those challenges you faced?
I didn’t really face much challenge, except for few ones. This is because, in the course of working for my boss, I had learnt the basics and the business part of fashion designing, although it is no longer business as usual.
Tell me about the few challenges you were faced with.
The number one challenge I was faced with was one which every new entrepreneur faces. There comes a time when you are faced with a challenge and you ask yourself: “am I really doing what I have always wanted to do? Can I achieve my dreams by doing this job?” Also, convincing people to patronise our locally made clothes was another great challenge. Funny enough, these were the same people I have at different times sold the imported suits and corporate casual wears to while I was still working with my boss.
You started selling locally made clothes outside the country even when you were still with your boss?
No. I started exporting locally made clothes when people heard and embraced my collections. Then I started getting demands and referrals beyond borders. I started selling abroad when the people here in Nigeria heard and embraced my collections.
So it was as a result of referrals from your customers?
Yes! It was after I started my own business, not while I was with my boss. So our jobs attracted attention internationally. Especially in Dublin, London and South Africa, including Chicago, where we have customers, who order to resell.
Do you train people?
Due to the unique kind of fashion school vision I desire to run, we haven’t yet kicked off training people for now. However, we do hope by next year, we will be able to start.
Can you recollect what your starting capital was?
If I am to be precise, I started with little or should I even say nothing because my starting capital wasn’t even my own money, I borrowed it. However, my first customer ordered N15,000 worth of cloth, which I made and realised my profit from.
Where do you see suit making business in Nigeria in the next five years? 
I can tell you that in five to 10 years from now, if Christ tarries, the locally made corporate casual wears would have experienced 30 per cent increase in patronage by Nigerians, considering its present trend.