Hand-made things stand out among the consumer goods, which are poured onto the market in tons. That is why products created by painstaking work in piece copies are popular and are quite expensive.

We talked with Nikita Trofimov, who runs the creative workshop for leather goods - TN HandMade. The conversation turned out to be quite interesting and informative.

Maxim: Nikita, tell us briefly about when and how did you get the idea to create and then sell leather goods?

Nikita: Initially, this was not a planned business project. The idea came to mind suddenly in 2009, because liked these accessories ( wide leather wrist bracelets). It was problematic to buy them, as a rule, such things were brought from abroad. I decided to try to do it for myself and for my friends. Then people who were no longer familiar began to call and take an interest in the products. And I realized that this direction is quite popular and exclusive, because there is no massive supply in the market.

Maxim: That's right, with wide bracelets strained, although they are quite popular. Where does the material come from? Is there some kind of manufacturing on hand that can provide leather?

Nikita: Within 3 years of leather. the material was purchased at domestic tanneries. There are no such industries in the Vladimir region, so I cannot say that they are “at hand”. I went to neighboring areas for material.

Now I am purchasing leather material from Italy under the order. This is due to the higher quality of leather processing in comparison with domestic leather.

Maxim: It turns out that the products are almost "Italian" :) Is the leather somehow additionally processed or comes a "ready-to-use product"?

Nikita: The leather comes to me in large rolls. Some are additionally processed, for example painted by hand in the desired color, some are used without processing.

Maxim: Is this processing done by one person? How many people are there in the workshop? Or are you alone and there is a "workshop"?

Nikita: At first I worked alone and the workshop was in an apartment) now I have 4 people working. Everyone is busy with their own business)

Maxim: Did it all start with leather bracelets or a watch with a wide strap? Tell us a little about the assortment that your workshop offers. Watches, bracelets .. what else?

Nikita: At first I only made wide wrist bracelets. Then he made the first watch on a wide belt. It was a Luch watch that I bought in a company store when I was in Minsk. Watches with a wide strap are very popular, combining both a leather bracelet and the functionality of a watch. I also make leather belts, recently I started casting my own design buckles from brass.

In the workshop I also make bags, wallets, business card holders, key holders, camera straps, etc. In general, there are a lot of opportunities for development and ideas in this area. Not even enough time for everything)

Maxim: So, it turns out, you can make any designer thing out of leather? Were there any special orders that were out of the ordinary?

Nikita: In fact yes. But I do not take all the ideas that clients offer. Because Strive for my own style. I prefer to do what I like myself and suits my style and outlook on work. I mainly work on my own creative ideas. Suppose now I am working on a special order for a professional musician who plays the harmonica. I sew a cover for 20 accordions for his performance at an international competition in Germany.

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Maxim: So you studied this craft somewhere or started to understand the nuances along the way? Or were there any mentors?

Nikita: He studied everything on his own) gradually mastered technologies, learned to sew on a sewing machine. Skills came gradually, and along with them the quality and beauty of the products grew.

Maxim: Judging by the photos, the quality is really high :) And the prices are quite reasonable. As for the clock, where does the clock come from? Is it some kind of "noname" or purchases from some watch manufacturer?

Nikita: Some of the watches are original. I buy the beam at the Minsk Watch Factory, this trademark is of good quality and retro style, which is now popular) Dials-copies are purchased by “noname”.

Maxim: How is the guarantee issue resolved? Were there any cases when the watch was returned due to breakage?

Nikita: There is a guarantee for the watch mechanism. I always try to solve such problematic issues in the most beneficial way for the client. Because I'm not chasing quick profits, but I work for a good name, so to speak) Cases, of course, happen :(

Maxim: Yes, it is quite difficult to earn a reputation, but it breaks down in an instant. Do you distribute your products only through the social network or are there other channels? Tell our readers where to read about your products and how to order them. Suddenly, someone decides to give himself a gift.

Nikita: At the moment, I trade remotely via social media. VKontakte network, I have an officially registered individual entrepreneur. In the near future I will open my online store, the site is now under development.

On the pages of VK I have catalogs with available products, described in detail How to place an order, about delivery to other cities and guarantees.

Any product can be laser engraved with a commemorative inscription or drawing.

This main page is -

Leather wallets are a very popular and demanded accessory in the domestic space. Thanks to the natural material, the products are distinguished by style and quality. Compared to factory wallets, custom made wallets have a unique design. Therefore, the organization of the production of leather wallets will be financially beneficial regardless of the region.

The arrangement of this business involves working in several separate areas at once, in particular, along the way, you can make watch straps, wrist accessories, wallets, chokers and many other popular products. To get maximum productivity, you will need to purchase special equipment and assemble a team of working personnel.

Renting is a benefit for novice businessmen.

Premises for rent at the initial stage of doing business is the most preferable as it allows the owner to save a lot of financial resources. You can choose suitable rental options using ads or specialized web resources, taking into account a specific region.

For a confident start, you should focus on small rooms with a total area of ​​at least 250 square meters. The average cost of such a lease in Moscow can be about 12-13 thousand rubles per year.

A big advantage will be the availability of connected communications, in particular, centralized water supply and electricity. The following volume of financial expenses for rent can be distinguished: 13,000 (market rates) x 250 (area) = 3.25 million rubles per year. The cost is calculated excluding taxes and other miscellaneous losses.

Procurement of technological tools.

For leather processing, special equipment will be required, which will allow maintaining the high quality of raw materials and obtaining an absolutely finished product. We recommend purchasing from certified dealers. However, in the absence of funds for the purchase of new units, you should use the secondary market. To do this, it is better to attract the appropriate professionals who will help you choose the right type of equipment at affordable prices.

General list of working units for production:

1. Sewing machine (for leather) - 89,000 rubles.
2. A machine for sewing in a corporate style - 56,000 rubles.
3. Equipment for stamping - 61,000 rubles.
4. Quality control system - 115,000 rubles.
5. Tools for fine processing - 40,000 rubles.

Total costs for the purchase of special tools and equipment: 89,000 + 56,000 + 61,000 + 115,000 + 40,000 = 361,000 rubles. For transportation and installation of working systems, costs of at least 60,000 rubles will be required. additionally.

Qualified staff for business.

Only 3 people are enough to establish efficient production of leather wallets and other accessories. The working staff can consist of the following specialties: master seamstress, leather processing specialist and handyman. The salary level of each specialty is selected taking into account the market average.

The approximate salary of employees should be highlighted:

1. Master seamstress - 50,000 rubles.
2. Skin specialist - 45,000 rubles.
3. Handyman - 25,000 rubles.

In the future, it will be necessary to hire an advertising and product sales manager with an average salary of 47,000 rubles. Total expenses for staff maintenance: 50,000 + 45,000 + 25,000 = 120,000 rubles / month, while possible expenses per year are 1.4 million rubles.

Manufacturing technology and purchase of raw materials.

The manufacturing technology of leather goods, in particular wallets and wallets, is quite simple. For production, high-quality raw materials are selected, which are further processed on special equipment. The specialist performs most of the work by hand, which has a positive effect on the overall quality of the product. For manufacturing, it is necessary to purchase 1 grade leather that meets all regulatory requirements. Processed raw materials cost around 2,500 rubles per square meter. Prices may vary depending on the thickness of the material and the region of purchase.

To advertise finished products, it is best to use proven methods, in particular, the most suitable are: creating your own website with a virtual store, press (newspapers, ads), radio (city), posting advertising in transport, making booklets and ordinary leaflets. Due to their low cost and popularity, these methods will allow you to get maximum efficiency with a small investment. On average, an entrepreneur will need at least 300,000 rubles to organize high-quality advertising. The final cost depends on the region.

Sales of ready-made leather wallets and payback.

Ready-made branded leather wallets and other exclusive accessories can be sold through your store, buyers and individual orders. For more effective sales, it is recommended to take part in an exhibition or any other event in the city where you can demonstrate your own products. The average cost of one product is at least 1,500 rubles. Accordingly, when selling about 500 pieces per month, you can get an income of 750,000 rubles. For one working year - not less than 9 million rubles, which is quite profitable. Business payback - 5 - 8 months.

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Leather bags and accessories in a Moscow apartment. They earn half as much as when they worked in the office, and work twice as much. “It’s much more pleasant than fulfilling the tasks specified in the contract,” the entrepreneurs assure. The plans are to expand production, hire seamstresses and go on a long-awaited vacation.

Money on patriotism

In 2014, when the West and Russia were exchanging sanctions, Nikita and Katerina played on the patriotic trend. They launched the site "yarusskiy.com" and agreed with the manufacturers of T-shirts, mugs and souvenirs that they would sell their goods at a small mark-up. The first batch of T-shirts with reproductions of paintings by Russian artists sold out with a bang, and Katya, inspired by her success, ordered several dozen muffs from the sewing industry.

The fashion for them returned, and we planned to make money on this as well, - the girl recalls. - But the batch was sewn so crookedly and obliquely that it was a shame to even sell. Those clutches are still lying around in the garage.

The "patriotic" online store brought in a small income, but the couple's interest in the buy-and-sell business quickly faded.

I'm tired of money out of thin air. I wanted to do something with my own hands, to produce, - explains Nikita.

Selfish interest

Then the entrepreneurs analyzed all the trends and, having looked through the options, settled on the idea of ​​sewing leather goods. To understand whether it is possible to learn leatherworking from scratch, Nikita went to a master class, from where he brought a belt and a bracelet that he made with his own hands.

Inspired, Nikita and Katerina attacked libraries and YouTube: they read Soviet books on leatherworking, watched videos on how to sew purses, belts and bags at home. The videos in Japanese turned out to be the most useful: Katya found a video with English subtitles, and her education as a translator helped.

In order not to overpay, Nikita decided to buy equipment from his hands: “At lunch, colleagues discussed which movie they watched on the weekend, while I was making Avito wool”. The new lockstitch sewing machine cost 50,000 rubles. A total of about 350,000 rubles were spent on the rest of the equipment - 130,000 less than if they were buying a new one.

Another 10,000 rubles were spent on the purchase of four skins and accessories for a test batch of accessories. The leather was bought from Moscow dealers who were found on the Internet - they did not even count on cooperation with factories that sell in large quantities. At this, the starting costs of the tanners ended.

The production was placed with Nikita: he had just taken a mortgage on a room in a "kopeck piece" at the River Station. Nikita was appointed chief tailor.

Leather is a heavy material and requires physical strength to work with it. And I was also afraid of these terrible cars, I thought that I would ruin everything right away, '' says Katya. - If an incorrectly sewn dress can be ripped open and remade, then because of an extra puncture on the skin, the entire cut must be thrown away.

Marusya Simonova

We produce leather goods and teach the basics of leather craftsmanship. Nikita came to one of these master classes two years ago. As he says, this is how the SoRoKo workshop began. It is pleasant to see that the seeds we have sown give such noble shoots.

Photo courtesy of SoRoKo (photographer: Andrey Pavlov)

Economics of the skin

They trained on the little things: they sewed cardholders and purses, which were sold to friends and acquaintances. Having filled their hands, Nikita and Katya put the goods up for sale on social networks. Small bags made of leather of different colors were best bought - 4 pilot copies were gone in a day, orders for another 10 pieces were received by the end of the week.

We decided not to be smart with the design and settled on the classics. “I found an old Valentino bag at home - it still belonged to my grandmother and looks modern at the same time,” recalls Katya. The entrepreneurs took this model as the basis for the production of the first line of bags.

The mark-up on both "little things" like a purse and the most technically difficult product - backpacks - reaches 100%. Thus, a backpack worth 10,000 rubles, which takes 3-4 hours to make, brings entrepreneurs up to 5,000 rubles in income. The cost price of a purse does not exceed 1,200 rubles, and they are sold at retail for 2,200-3,300 rubles. Nikita and Katya sew a dozen purses together in 8-10 hours.

The classics were diluted with a harness - a female accessory in the form of a leather harness. Katya was told about him by a friend who made a splash by appearing in a harness at the bank's board of directors.

Nikita did not understand at all what kind of thing it was, and was against it, but I decided to try, - recalls Tsmokilina. - The product turned out to be so popular that all autumn and winter I felt like a slave to these harnesses: I sewed 5-6 pieces a day, and they all flew away.

Photo courtesy of SoRoKo (photographer: Andrey Pavlov)

Katya spends 30–40 minutes on one shoulder strap, the price of materials does not exceed 500 rubles, and retail accessories cost 2,000 rubles.

In parallel, the entrepreneurs established sales through partner stores. “It was not easy to come to an agreement: some wanted a discount of 60–70% of the retail price, while taking them only for sale, they did not want to buy them back. Or they made a 300% markup, and our backpack for 7,500 rubles cost them 18–20 thousand, ”Nikita recalls. Now SoRoKo has 4 retailers in Moscow: these are online and offline stores selling leather. Nikita and Katya sell them products in bulk, and they wind up "as much as their conscience allows." The price of SoRoKo backpacks in such outlets reaches 15,000 rubles. “And sometimes they buy even better than on our website or in social networks,” Nikita wonders. The workshop sells 30% of its products through partners, the remaining 70% through SoRoKo pages and its own social media accounts.

During the year, demand is subject to the classic laws of retail: in December, February and March - peak sales, in January and summer, when Muscovites leave the city, demand decreases by 30-50%. At this time, corporate orders are saved, which also fall on the failed months. One batch of gifts brings up to 25,000 rubles in net profit. “I really love such orders - you do the same things for several days in a row, one after another, it's like a mantra,” says Katya.

Now the core of SoRoKo's audience is working girls of 25-30 years old. “We thought we were going to be bought mostly by hipsters. But unfortunately, they have not yet appreciated us, ”Nikita admits. He considers the same small leather workshops to be competitors. SoRoKo is not going to compete with large factories: this is a completely different market.

Marusya Simonova

co-founder of Simon Second Skin Workshop:

Workshops work with a subculture, with those who do not need a mass market. We consider ourselves artists, and rivalry with factories is like a struggle between a person and a machine: the possibilities are different, but the product at the end is completely different.

Photo courtesy of SoRoKo (photographer: Andrey Pavlov)

Not a craft, but a business

When the business started flowing, the entrepreneurs decided to move the production from the room to a separate site. The premises were found by accident: Nikita received an email with a proposal to rent a pavilion at VDNKh. “At first I thought it was spam. Then he decided not to answer - he assumed that renting at VDNKh was too expensive. But it turned out that 16,000 rubles were being asked for a space of 20 m². So in August 2016, the SoRoKo workshop moved to the pavilion of the Crafts Park at VDNKh.

Entrepreneurs were delighted with the dense flow of passers-by, but quickly realized that they would not be able to use the traffic. Most of the companies inhabiting the Park made good money at master classes. The tanners also decided to try it, but only three people bought tickets for a harness tailoring lesson worth 3,000 rubles.

I worked with these three girls for 2.5 hours. During this time, Nikita and I together could have sewn a batch of these harnesses and another backpack, having earned much more, - says Katya. - Then we realized that they were not artisans, but businessmen.

Fuel was added to the fire by people who constantly entered the pavilion without knocking and interfered with work. And the repairs that began at VDNKh finally convinced the entrepreneurs that it was time to move out. While the workshop consists of only two founders, they decided to place the production in Katina's three-room apartment. “Yes, I was lucky with a girl,” laughs Nikita from Syktyvk. The neighbors are not yet complaining: all the equipment is modern and quiet. They only had to isolate the table with a hammer and a punch - the guys put the leather on a special plate upholstered with felt, and the table itself was placed on rubber carpets.

By the time this material is published, the workshop's revenue is 200–250 thousand rubles per month, the profit is from 90 to 120 thousand.

Nikita and Katya are planning to expand the business: hire several seamstresses, rent premises for production and increase turnover. This will make it possible to purchase large quantities of skins from manufacturing plants, and not from dealers, as it is now, and to reduce retail prices. And even later, entrepreneurs want to develop a line of products from different materials: leather, wood and metal. “You can learn anything,” say SoRoKo.

Maxim and Evgeniya Lavrik

founders of the KAZA workshop, Krasnodar:

The production of leather goods cannot be called a super-profitable business at the moment. Partly due to the crisis and the euro exchange rate. We order most of the fittings for foreign currency; the factories themselves use foreign-made dyes. We continue to work thanks to our regular customers: we have been on the market for the 8th year and during this time we have gathered a large group of friends. But the development of production so far had to be suspended in order to survive these difficult times.

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Beautiful products made of genuine leather have been in great demand for a long time, but they are becoming especially popular now. Of course, there are a large number of both foreign and domestic manufacturers, whose assortment includes leather accessories of various designs. However, they will never equal the quality and originality of handcrafted items.

The range of leather goods that you can make is quite large. Until now, various jewelry and accessories using genuine leather do not lose their relevance: bags, belts, wallets, jewelry, clothes, shoes, bindings for notebooks, books and magazines, etc.

The main methods of making genuine leather

The main raw material for the manufacture of such products is genuine leather, which has undergone preliminary processing. There are several main methods for manufacturing genuine leather, among which the following can be named: raw leather (with minimal processing and preserving the original qualities of the original material), rawhide (dressing is carried out without tanning), rawhide tanning (light tanning with alum), tanned leather (obtained in as a result of fat tanning or with the addition of vegetable and artificial chemical tannins).

As a rule, craftsmen who are engaged in the manufacture of various leather products do not independently dress the leather. This procedure is carried out in special tanneries in various countries of the world. Craftsmen buy from them ready-made leather of the following types: calipers, slippers, outgrowth, nappa, chevro, husky, shagreen, morocco, natural suede, deerskin, saddle cloth, velor, napplac, blister, split-velor, yuft, parchment.

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For each type of product, one or another type of leather is used. You can buy all the necessary materials in specialized stores that can be found in major cities. Craftsmen who live in the region, far from the center, order them through online stores (including foreign ones), as well as in sewing ateliers. By the way, if you are engaged in the manufacture of small products - jewelry, toys, accessories, then you can significantly save on the purchase of raw materials by negotiating with local ateliers, which often sell leftovers and trimmings of large leather pieces at low prices. Often leather products that have already gone out of fashion - old shoes, bags, outerwear - can be suitable for work (and even more so, for training). These well-made leather goods can be found in second-hand shops at very low prices.

Determine the cost of leather

When buying leather in specialized stores, its cost is indicated by the seller for 1 square decimeter. It is usually sold in whole pieces (hides or skins). The cost may vary, depending on the type of leather (calf, pork, goat), the characteristics and quality of the dressing, the thickness of the skin, and ranges from 5 to 50 rubles per square decimeter. The skin of more exotic species of animals (for example, ostrich, crocodile, etc.) will cost an order of magnitude more - from one hundred rubles per square decimeter and above.

When calculating the cost of one product, take into account the fact that the area of ​​the smallest skin is at least 40 square decimeters. For this reason, for the manufacture of small products - jewelry, accessories and other things - it is unprofitable to purchase material with whole skins. And scraps of genuine leather can be purchased at the atelier at a price of 100-200 rubles per kilogram. The total area of ​​one kilogram of cuttings is about 50-60 square decimeters.

What tools are required for working with leather

The list of the main ones includes scissors, knives, a wide and long metal ruler, a metal square, a French knife, a punch (punch), a vice, a clamp. Experts advise using special self-sharpening scissors for tailors. The following brands have proven themselves well: Scheren konig scissors, RTY-2 / DX Olfa knife, CK-2 Olfa utility knife, AK-1 / 5B Olfa art knife. In addition, you will need to purchase a circular knife and some other types of knives for special techniques and special types of products.

If possible, try not to save on tools, because the quality of your finished work will directly depend on them. Experts recommend using knives with replaceable blades, rather than solid ones, since the first option turns out to be more profitable.

Some of the necessary tools can be purchased at ordinary hardware stores, and some in specialized online stores, which usually deliver orders throughout the country. If you are still just studying and are not sure that making products from genuine leather will become not just a hobby, but the basis for your business, then you can get by with less investment and use stationery and shoe knives for work, the cost of which is an order of magnitude lower than special expensive ones. tools. However, there are also disadvantages: when working with leather, the blades of office knives have to be changed more often, and boot knives require frequent sharpening, so using them for a long time is not so profitable.

Each tool in the above list has a different purpose. For example, using a wide, long metal ruler and a metal square, you can cut the required amount of material as smoothly and safely as possible for your own fingers. A French knife is used for grinding (thinning) the skin.

Since grinding is a very laborious procedure, it takes a lot of time and effort, therefore, usually the skin for such processing is trying to acquire the required thickness. The vice allows you to fix the product in the desired position during operation. With the help of a clamp, several large parts are clamped when gluing. If you are planning to make bags and other large items, it is best to purchase several clamps at once.

If you are a beginner in this field and did not have a lot of experience in processing leather and making leather products, then it is better to consult with professionals in advance, before going for tools, read specialized literature and articles on thematic resources on the Internet. This preliminary preparation can help you save a lot of money. For example, inexpensive and fairly high quality Stayer or Legioner punchers can be purchased for working with leather, rather than special expensive models. They are sold in hardware and sewing stores, as well as where a variety of goods for creativity are sold.

How to start a leather goods business

You can do handcrafting of leather goods at home. The main thing is that you have at your disposal a sufficiently spacious and well-ventilated room (which is important when working with adhesives), where you can conveniently place your desktop, equipment, racks with materials and finished products. There are no special requirements for the equipment of the workplace. The main thing is that it is comfortable for you. Any wide stable table is suitable for work.

But you need to take into account that when cutting and cutting parts for a product, the surface on which the material is laid out must be non-slip (otherwise the skin will constantly slide off, and you will not be able to accurately cut out the parts), hard (so that the knife does not get stuck in the base) and not textured. If you work on a wooden countertop, then you must first cover it with a piece of linoleum, hardboard, plexiglass or at least a plastic kitchen board or a board for modeling plasticine (for small items), otherwise the knife when cutting leather will constantly "stray" off the line and go along wood fiber.

In addition to the actual leather and tools, you may also need various additional elements and materials - accessories (and equipment for its installation), paints, varnishes, etc. The exact list depends on the model and your imagination.

Ready-made ideas for your business

For a start, it is better to choose products that do not take a lot of time to make: belts, simple jewelry and simple accessories. Then, when you get your hands on, find your own style and choose the working technique that suits you, you can aim at more complex projects. However, consider the pricing system for your product ahead of time. Obviously, complex and exclusive handicrafts will cost an order of magnitude more expensive than manufactured goods. On the other hand, you need to rationally assess the level of your work and your skills. Experienced craftsmen advise aspiring entrepreneurs to set a small mark-up on their work for sale. As a rule, the calculation is given according to the scheme: the cost of materials plus 10-25% on top.

So you will be able to study for the first time, recoup the costs of materials and accessories and at least slightly compensate for your efforts. In the case of products of a higher level of performance, the following scheme is usually used: the cost of the finished product plus 150-200% on top. Of course, this rule can change, because a lot depends on how much time and effort went into the work, how original it is, whether you have already earned your own name (or rather, whether your name as a master has become a kind of brand).

Where to distribute leather products

You can search for the first and subsequent buyers both on the Internet and outside it. In the first case, experienced entrepreneurs advise creating accounts on the most famous social networks and be sure to create your own website. You should also not ignore such resources as Etsy, Crafts Fair, etc. They may not become the main sales channel, but being there will help you to make your brand more recognizable. High-quality and beautiful photographs of your products play an important role (although it is often underestimated). It is impossible to sell an expensive item with a bad photo taken with a soap dish. To do this, you do not need to seek help from a professional photographer. A good camera and thoughtful surroundings are enough to highlight all the advantages of your product.

In addition, handmade genuine leather products are sold through regular, offline stores of souvenirs and gifts, accessories, clothes, etc. Think in advance whether you will take orders or sell ready-made items. In the first case, you can increase your profits, but this option is also associated with certain risks, especially if you do not take an advance payment from the customer.

Ready-made ideas for your business

The business of making genuine leather goods is profitable and is not affected by the seasonality factor (leather bags, belts, jewelry and accessories are usually in demand all year round). The purchase of material, accessories and tools, as well as training, will require about 30-50 thousand rubles. But you can get by with less investment at the first stage if you have experience in this area and an additional source of income for the first six months.

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If you decide to open your own production of travel bags and suitcases, then you will need at least 600 thousand rubles to organize it. Payback period ...

To acquire the necessary minimum for the first time of work, it will take up to ten thousand rubles (raw materials, tools, minimum equipment, educational literature).

Leather goods have been popular since ancient times, but now they are especially in demand. After all, leather souvenirs are always associated with wealth, quality and even uniqueness. That is why you can organize your own business for the production of various leather souvenirs.

The competition in this environment is quite high. But if souvenirs are made by hand, they always remain in price and are in demand due to their exclusivity. At the same time, large investments in starting a business are not required, more efforts must be invested in finding a proven and reliable master. And in order to achieve the desired profit, it is necessary to conduct active marketing activities.

Premises for making leather souvenirs.

For the manufacture of leather goods, it is necessary to choose a spacious, well-ventilated room. It is best to rent a workshop in an industrial area. His area will not be very large. 60 m2 is quite enough to territorially divide the site where the technological processes of making leather souvenirs will be carried out, raw materials and already manufactured products will also be stored.

Each craftsman should have his own place with equipment. It is necessary to conveniently arrange racks with finished products, as well as raw materials and materials. There are no special requirements for the equipment of the workplace, the main thing is that the craftsmen are comfortable working.

It is good if the room is heated in winter and the normal operation of all communications is established in it. For renting a room of this type, you need to pay about $ 300 per month. Most often, the owner of the premises will demand to pay rent for half a year or even for all 12 months in advance.

Raw materials.

The main raw material for making leather souvenirs is genuine high-quality leather. This material must be pre-processed before use. Usually, craftsmen who are engaged in the manufacture of leather goods use already processed leather.

Since this procedure requires special equipment and is carried out in many countries around the world. And the masters buy already fully prepared leather of a certain type (husky, slimes, calipers, natural suede and others). Each individual product may require a specific type of leather. If you need to buy a small amount of raw materials, then it is most profitable to do this in a specialized store, which are definitely available in large cities of our state.

Most often, the price for leather is set for 1 m2. There you can also buy some details (rivets, clips, buttons, etc.), which allow you to complete the image of each souvenir. But if you plan to make scanty volumes of products, then you can try to save a little on raw materials. You can contact existing tailoring ateliers and shoe factories and buy leftovers, pieces of leather from them. In total, it is necessary to allocate about $ 1.5 thousand for the purchase of raw materials.

Equipment and tools.

To work with leather, you need to purchase special tools:

1. Clamp - $ 120;

2. Vise - $ 80;

3. Puncher - $ 75;

4. French knife - $ 150;

5. A set of metal rulers - $ 100;

6. Professional self-sharpening scissors - $ 200;

7. Square metal - $ 25;

8. A set of knives (knife for artwork, household knife, circular knife and others) - $ 450.

To perform high-quality and accurate work, you cannot save on tools and accessories for working with leather elements. It is best to choose knives whose blades can be easily changed. You can even use tools that are designed for shoemaking or sewing.

You can buy all the tools both in specialized stores and order through the online store. In total, you need to focus on the amount of about $ 3-3.5 thousand.

Staff.

For the manufacture of leather souvenirs, it is necessary to invite leather craftsmen to work. You can find such craftsmen, but sometimes they demand too high a payment for their work. It is worth trying to hire 3-4 people who are ready to learn and one experienced craftsman who will have to transfer his craft to people. Alternatively, you can simply pay for the courses.

In addition, an experienced purchasing and sales manager in the industry will be required to operate the shop. When negotiating wages, you can stop at a certain salary or make it a piece-rate bonus. Everything will depend on the mutual consent of the employee and the employer. In addition to the foremen and the manager, you will definitely need an accountant at the enterprise. In total, it is necessary to allocate about $ 6 thousand for labor remuneration of the working personnel.

Marketing.

You can promote your own leather souvenirs both on the Internet and abroad. On the Internet, you can create your own website, constantly posting there new manufactured products with prices for them. Each piece must be professionally photographed. You may need to contact a photographer and even hire a studio to do this. You can also create a group on social networks, constantly offer your products on the forums. You can also print advertisements in fashion magazines and newspapers.

Do not forget about the possibilities of outdoor advertising. Signs should be placed in passable places. You can also take part in exhibitions and fairs. At the same time, you can participate in such events, both at the local level, and at the regional level, or even outside our state. In total, about $ 300 can be allocated for the marketing and promotion of your own leather souvenirs.

Basic costs.

Opening your own workshop for the production of leather souvenirs will require the following basic expenses:

1. Rent of premises - $ 300;

2. Equipment and tools - $ 3-3.5 thousand;

3. Personnel - $ 6 thousand;

4. Raw materials - $ 1.5 thousand;

5. Marketing - $ 300.

In total, to start a business in this area, you need to own an amount of at least $ 14-15 thousand.

Profit and business payback period.

The payback period is difficult to predict, since the development and profit of a given industry depends on many factors. In the first place is the beauty and quality of the manufactured products, and in the second place is the marketing strategy and the cost of leather souvenirs. But, if we consider the most favorable atmosphere, then a period of up to one year can be stipulated. After all, all products will be made using manual labor. Therefore, the cost of those will be several times higher than the factory handicrafts.

For example, the average price of a souvenir made will be about $ 70, while the markup for a copy will fluctuate within 200-300%. If 3 craftsmen work for you, and they make at least 10-15 souvenirs per day of average difficulty, then the net profit will start from $ 1.5 thousand per day. You just need to figure out where to put the souvenirs and who to sell them to.

Clients and business development.

The leather souvenirs produced will be sold in regular and virtual retail outlets for souvenirs and gifts, clothing stores, accessories and others. It is worth developing a business by constantly expanding the range. On the territory of the workshop, you can open a school for training craftsmen to work with leather souvenirs. Ultimately, you need to strive to open your own store for the sale of products.