How To Start a Hat Making/Millinery Business – 14 Tips To Succeed
Hey! If you are looking to start a hat-making business, and you are not sure how to go about it?
Keep reading because, in this post, I will share tips to succeed in a hat-making business and make money from your craft.
Hat-making or millinery is a lucrative business you can start from home and make money within a short time.
All you have to do is be ready to get out of your comfortable place and be a crazy artist, and the clients will come paying.
Let’s begin.
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14 Tips to Help You Succeed in Hat-Making Business
These tips with hard work can help you make money from your hat-making business.
1. Enroll in a school for Hat-making
The first thing you need to do is to enroll in a school for hat-making.
If you can’t attend a craft school around your area, you can register for online millinery courses.
It is a matter of preference.
Hat Academy offers Hat-Making Courses online. Check them out!
2. Buy millinery supplies to start your hat-making classes
Millinery supplies are materials for hat making.
Once you are registered in a hat-making school, your instructor would give you a list of millinery supplies to buy.
These are the materials you would use to practice designing hats both in class and on your own.
So look around your area, your craft school, or even online for Millinery supplies stores and buy what you need.
3. Start designing outside the “hatbox”
Your teacher will teach you the basics of hat-making, but the rest will come naturally.
- Do your homework (the one given to you by your teacher),
- Design new hats on your own and try working with different materials and fabrics,
- Use several shaped hat blocks to get out of your comfort zone,
- Draw the designs you envision, so you don’t forget.
- Design that hat you think no one will wear because someone would love it.
These are tips that will help you succeed in the hat-making business and set you apart from others!
Let it be unique.
4. Take pictures of your hats
From the moment you start making hats, take pictures of everything you design.
With these pictures, you’d see how you started and how you have improved over time.
Also, you need pictures to build a portfolio, show off your art, sell your hats, and make money.
Take pictures of your hats on mannequins, yourself, and even your friends.
Seeing how a hat looks on a real person also helps you make improvements in your design skills.
5. Price your hats well
As a new milliner, you may be wondering who will buy your hats.
Believe me, people will pay good money for custom-made hats.
Also, don’t underprice your hats because you are worried about no making sales.
If you are doing that, you need to stop now!
Read about Pricing Handmade: why you need to raise your prices to make an informed decision.
6. Wear your hats to events
When you are invited to special occasions or parties, wear your own hats.
It is a way of showing your creativity and attracting clients to your hat-making business.
Let people see that gorgeous hat and ask where you got it. Things like this can help you trust yourself in your craft.
7. Share pictures of your designs and share them on social media
If you want people to see the beautiful custom-made hats you create, then share them on social media.
Also, encourage your clients to share and tag you in pictures of them wearing custom-made hats designed by you.
When you release a new collection, share pictures of them – on a mannequin, your friends, or even your little girl – on Instagram.
Social media is one of the best places to get clients for your hat-making business.
I got most of my clients from Instagram and word of mouth.
8. Open a bank account for your Hat-making Business
As you start getting clients and making money from your hat-making business, you would need to open a separate bank account for it.
A business account would make you look professional, help you keep track of money coming in and going out, plus your sales, profit, and spending.
Tip: If you haven’t seen the deposit from a client, don’t start working on their hat.
Make sure your client makes a full payment before you start designing their custom-made hats.
The payment would commit them and there won’t be any losses on your part.
I am saying this because some clients would change their minds after you have started working on the hat. They would try to choose a more expensive design, or say they are not interested in the hat anymore.
Meanwhile, you have used your materials to start work.
So make sure you have at least part of the money before you start making the hat, even if you have the required materials on-ground.
Tip 9. Open an online store to sell your hats
Etsy is a great place for selling handmade and custom-made goods.
It is also great for selling your hats off the rack.
You may want to explore it or open a website to sell your hats on your own.
Here are some reasons why you need to open an online store
- Some of your clients don’t use social media, they search for hat stores on Google and shop from online stores.
- Some don’t have the patience to check pictures of your hats on Instagram or Facebook.
- Meanwhile, some would follow your pictures from Pinterest to your online shop.
- Lastly, an online store opens your millinery business to a broader market and attract more clients.
10. Make branded hatboxes and bags for your business
Branding your boxes and bags give your business a professional look and reminds your customers where they got the hat.
Moreover, hats are quite fragile, so you need boxes to protect them during shipping so that they arrive in perfect form.
Your clients would feel special when their custom-made hats arrive untouched in a beautifully branded hatbox.
And do you know what happens when your customer is happy? They tell their friends about you, get you more business, and you would make money.
You can find affordable custom-made hat boxes on Etsy.
Tip 11. Collaborate with photographers and makeup artists for professional pictures
Now, it is not cheap to get professional photos, especially if you have just started a hat-making business.
So what you can do is reach out to professional photographers, makeup artists on social media, introduce yourself, and then inform them you would love to collaborate for a photoshoot.
Make sure you are following them, liking and commenting on their posts, and all that.
So they know you and must have seen your designs before.
Some would refuse your request, but eventually, you will get a positive response from at least one.
And that’s a win-win for everybody.
You would have professional pictures to build your portfolio while they would have a variety of pictures on their own.
So level up your game!!!
12. Network with other Hat-makers on social media
Networking with other milliners and other business owners has its benefits.
Little gestures like dropping nice comments or liking their pictures; can go a long way.
Some people need a little boost.
Plus, you would be in the know about fashion shows, photoshoots, fashion exhibitions, trade fairs, and even referrals.
Even if you don’t get any of the things stated above, you might make a new friend in the hat-making business.
13. Attend trade fairs and exhibitions to sell your handmade hats
Trade shows and exhibitions are places to sell your hats, meet, and network with other businesses.
If you have some money to spare, rent a booth at a trade expo.
Sell off the hats you have not been able to sell online, get some fresh air, and also check out what other milliners are creating.
You would also make some money from the hats sitting on your shelf collecting dust.
I attended a wedding expo some years back; I made a good amount of sales, ate free ice-creams and cakes, and had fun.
You may also love 12 Lucrative Crafts That Make Money From Home.
14. Partner with high-end stores to sell your hats
So my last but not least is to partner with high-end fashion stores to sell your hats.
These stores can even increase the price of your hats to match their clientele’s standard.
Get in touch with them and let them know you would love to sell your hats in their stores.
If they are interested, they would have a meeting with you and agree on how much to sell the hats and the percentage they take.
Make sure to write down the cost of each hat you are selling in the store so there won’t be any confusion.
And you know how much to expect after selling.
You may also enjoy 50 Easy Unfinished Handmade Items To Make And Sell.
Final Words
So this is how to start a hat-making business and tips to succeed.
- Register in a hat-making school
- buy hat-making supplies
- design outside your comfort zone or the “hatbox”
- Collaborate with photographers, and makeup artists to get professional pictures to build your portfolio
- Open a bank account for your millinery business
- Network with other hatmaker/milliners
- Attend trade fairs to sell your hats and make money
- Partner with high-end stores to sell your hats and make more money
With these tips and some hard work on your part, you will make money from hat making.
Reminder: don’t be afraid to design that crazy dramatic hat on your mind.
Free your creative spirit and enjoy it!
Have you started your hat-making business?
Let me know your experience in the comments.
Please remember to pin me.
Thank you for reading!
Hi there,
My name is Fiona. I’m currently working as a midwife but for the past year I have strongly been considering getting into millinery/hat making some how. This post is full of great advice and I feel with all this spare time we have in lockdown I should give it a go! Did you find it expensive starting out? Between the course and getting all the supplies? Also is supplies recommended to buy by the course enough or would you recommend buying extra materials etc to practise at home? Or should I complete a course first before going out and buying extra?
I’d appreciate any advice you have!
Kind regards,
Fiona
Hi Fiona.
I’m so excited you are considering getting into Millinery.
It is not usually expensive to start a hat-making business, but it also depends on the school you enroll in.
I would advise that you buy the supplies recommended by the course. That’s what you would use for both class and homework.
And as time goes by, you would know if you need extra materials to work on your own.
Just so that your money is not tied down in materials you don’t need at the moment.
But don’t wait until you finish the course.
You will most likely make money from hat-making even before you round up your millinery course.
I hope this helps.
I am so happy you found this post helpful.
Thanks for all the good work you and all other health workers do. More grease to your elbows.
Best regards,
Buayifa.
Good day,Buayifay my name is Christiana Oge.please,how can I get online millinery course not too expensive,not have much money but want to learn ,I really enjoyed your lessons.thanks
Christiana Ogechi.
Hi Christina Oge.
If you are in Lagos, I would advise you to check out SOS vocational center in Isolo, and also in Ejigbo. That’s where I learned Hat-making. It shouldn’t be expensive, but you would be required to buy your own materials to learn and practice with.
And also check youtube for hatmaking videos just to see what others are designing.
For online classes, message Olubunmi Badejo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/glamhatsandessentials. She should have online classes. Also if you visit her site https://glam-hats.business.site/ you would find a number to reach her and ask questions.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck!
Buayifa.
Hi Buayifa,
Nice write up. well done!
I am a Milliner and creative director for Couture by Isemini, the award winning go-to afrocentric headpiece brand in Africa. I recently launched my Millinery book – Starting a Profitable Millinery Business. Where I share effective ways Aspiring and Startup Milliners can effectively run their business.
I can contribute to your blog as a guest write if you want. What do you say?
Cheers!
Tobi Oyebade
Hi Tobi.
I remember you, I have seen your designs on your Facebook page. They are gorgeous and unique.
Also congratulations on the new Millinery book.
I would be more than happy to have you contribute a couple of posts to my blog.
Please use this link to check the requirements to guest post on Budget & Mom jeans Blog.
See you inside, soon.
Best regards,
Buayifa.
Hi Buayifa,
That’s a great write up. Massive thumbs up!
I’m Delali of Rare Pearl Millinery – based in Accra Ghana and I can so relate to almost all that you pointed out.
Just to say keep the great job up?
.
.
Love from Delali
Hi Delali,
I’m happy another Milliner can relate to this post about how to start a hat-making business and succeed. Thanks for the encouraging words too. I appreciate.
xx, Buayifa.
Hi, I am Fortune. I really enjoyed the write up. I just finished an online training on millinery but don’t know exactly where to get the supplies at cheaper rate. I live in Lagos. I will be glad if u can assist.
Hi Fortune.
First, congrats on rounding up your Millinery training. I hope you had lots of fun while gaining knowledge. For affordable millinery supplies, you can get them in Lagos Island. I’m not sure where you live but if you are going to Lagos Island with a regular bus, take a bus to Eko. But if you are taking BRT, get off at Marina and cross to the other side. Try to locate the central mosque, that’s very close to Nnamdi Azikiwe street where they sell wedding dresses. When you find the mosque, make sure it is on your right. Just to be sure you are going the right direction. Walk forward about 2 to 3 minutes from the mosque, don’t turn left or right. The woman’s store is on the left upstairs. She has fascinators and hats displayed outside. I think her name is Aunty Biodun. Ask someone to show you the stairs or call out to her, she would show you the way. It shouldn’t be hard to locate.
I hope this is helpful.
Feel free to reply if you need more assistance.
I am so glad you found my post about how to start a hat-making/millinery business helpful too.
Good luck!
Buayifa.
Hi, really found your post interesting, I am to hat making already , the creative director Bella jay designs but I want to go into selling of millinery essentials/materials but don’t know how to go about it and where to get it cheaper for resell.
Note, I am not in lagos
Hi Uju,
So happy to hear that you enjoyed my post about How to start a hat-making business.
As for selling Millinery supplies, you can either travel to Lagos and buy supplies at Nnamdi Azikiwe street in Lagos Island.
That’s where they call Eko, they sell wedding stuff there.
There’s a particular woman I used to buy supplies from in Eko, and her supplies are relatively cheaper compared to Trade Fair in Ojo, Lagos.
If that doesn’t work for you, try Etsy.com for sellers that do international shipping.
I hope this helps.
Do you offer virtual training? If you do, please send it and I’d attach it to this post.
A couple of newbie milliners are asking where they can get virtual hat training in Naija.
So if you do, let me know.
Anyway, that’s it.
Hi my name is Confidence, just concluded a three months millinery training was about to start my own millinery business but not sure if I will be good at it, your post just inspired me thanks.
Hi Confidence,
First, congrats on rounding up your millinery training program.
And as for starting your own hat-making business, just trust yourself and create what you picture in your head.
You can check what other hat-makers are designing to get more inspiration.
I’m so glad my post inspired you. You just made my day.
Thank you so much.
Good luck starting your hat-making business.
xx, Buayifa.
thank you so much. your write up has really open my eyes
Hi Rita,
Thank you so much for reading my post.
I’m so glad you found it helpful for your accessories business.
xx, Bree.
This is good material. Self-explanatory and on point. Thanks
Hi Ruth.
I’m glad you found the post informative and helpful.
Thanks for reading.
xx, Bree.