TheNiche Young Entrepreneur: Kosisochukwu’s blazing feats in fashion designing, men’s outfits
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Nwajiugo Kosisochukwu, a graduate of Marketing from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, in Abia State took to fashion designing after failing to find a paid job upon completion of National Youth Service (NYSC) in 2016.
Recalling his childhood fascination with men’s confidence in their attire, he learned fashion designing in 2018. Three years later, he launched ‘ Enchryz_Dreamz,’ a brand offering smart, confidence-boosting outfits for any occasion.
Starting up
Kosisochukwu went to learn fashion designing in 2018 when he could not secure a paid job after his NYSC in 2016. He said: “When I could not get a paid job after my NYSC for three years, I just thought of learning a skill to become an entrepreneur. The only skill that came to my mind was fashion designing because growing up, I loved seeing guys dress smartly and neatly. I had that belief that the beauty of a man is to look confident in whatever he puts on in any occasion. So, that alone inspired my choice of going into fashion designing. I want every man to look confident with my brand.” Kosisochukwu spent three years in learning and mastering the skill. In 2021, he launched his brand, Enchryz_Dreamz in Umuahia, Abia State.
He noted that learning the skill was not an easy one because then, he had just finished running some programs with his savings. He said registering for a skill that requires money was a challenge he did not plan for. “But I had to encourage myself because I was determined to learn a skill and be independent since I could not get a paid job.”
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Sourcing for capital
After learning the trade for three years, sourcing for capital to start his own was challenging for Kosisochukwu but he got it solved from his personal savings. He said, ”It was extremely challenging. But the first thing I did was to buy a sewing machine from my personal savings because when I was learning, I was teaching some students for public exams and also sewing for my friends. A lot of equipment are required in this job, like monogramming, embroidery machines. So, the ones you don’t have, you just have to go to where they have them and pay. When I have a job that requires using a different machine that I don’t have then, I go to my boss’ place to use his machines. I started with one sewing machine,” he said.
Challenges penetrating the market
Kosisochukwu said penetrating the market had to do with so much conviction because everybody has his own designer. “So, you have to be patient and humble to get a customer. You have to go extra mile to convince a customer to leave his designer to patronise you. It was challenging too.” He said in spite of that, it didn’t take him too much time to get visible because his friends who knew what he was into helped him to advertise his brand. Penetrating into the market for Kosisochukwu was achieved with inter personal communications, social media, family and friends.
Discouraging experience
Kosisochukwu said some of his friends tried to discourage him from learning the skill. “When I was planning to go and learn this skill, some guys mocked me. They were asking why I wanted to go and be answering ‘Sir’ as an apprentice after spending years in school and becoming a graduate. But then I was able to conquer the opinion because I had made up my mind and was determined to learn the skill. I am grateful that I didn’t allow their opinion get into me else I wouldn’t have been where I am today”, he enthused. Kosisochukwu said his breakthrough has been from the positive feedbacks he gets from his customers.
Peculiar challenge as a business owner
Kosisochukwu said electricity is his biggest challenge in doing business in Nigeria. According to him, “When you are ready to work, NEPA (electricity company) will just mess your plans up. And it’s not easy to be fueling your generator set every time. Light is paramount in this job. Everything requires light.” He said high cost of materials is another challenge. “Nigeria is presently running on hyperinflation and it’s affecting every aspect of Nigerian market. The GDP is not going anywhere since everything we are using is being imported. So, it’s affecting everybody, including the price we give to customers and most of these customers do not understand that it is not easy for us too. When you give them price, they will tell you that it is on the high side. Most of them are so self-centered that they don’t want to know what you are passing through to deliver their job for them. But I have a standard so if the price does not suit you, I will allow you to try another designer.”
Japa
The brand owner of Enchryz_Dreamz said there is no place like home and he has no plans of leaving his growing business to relocate abroad but then, he said he is not against those who wish to travel abroad. He, however, advised those wishing to travel out of the country to first make good plans before embarking on a journey of no return. “It is not an easy task; the risk of an environment you don’t know anybody and there is possibility that you don’t even understand their language and you may go there and mess yourself up. So, it is good to make good plans before desiring to leave the little you have gathered here in Nigeria to travel. For me, Nigeria is a home and a place I can explore and make good money.”
Kosisochukwu’s mission in the fashion industry is to make men look smart and have their confidence at all times while putting their outfits. His story is that of resilience. Kosisochukwu has trained young people on fashion designing and still training. He has apprentice and some workers.
