The business idea of making and selling shaggy mats (or shaggy rugs)is a good starting point. Making these mats is not only a fun way to spend your time but also a great way to raise a decent and honest income. You can start small and gradually grow by building a team and branding yourself so that you can handle bulk orders from clients. 

 

 Here’s a step by step guide on how to go about it.

 

Step 1: Get Trained You need some practical skills in order to put together a great final product. One good way to acquire these skills is by working with a Trainer. Normally, the learning takes 1 to 3 days and the average charges range from Ksh1500 – Ksh3000 depending on on your trainer and the method to be taught. The two main methods are, one either crochets on the mesh to create loops after which they are cut to form single strands the other method is by using a latch hook, this method is more laborious as it requires one to pre-cut the yarn and singly loop knots on each hole of the mesh

 

 Step 2: Buy Your Own Tools

in order to setup a fully fledged business you will need some good tools. The good news is that most of these can be bought locally at very affordable prices.

 1.Tapestry Mesh– Ksh500 per meter

 2.5 balls of thread – Ksh 500 (Ksh 100 per ball)

 3.Good Scissors – Ksh 200

 4.Crochet hook – Ksh 50 

 5.Latch hook – Ksh 200 

 6.Marker Pen – Ksh 50 

 TOTAL BUDGET: Ksh1,500

 

 One can buy these items at your nearest craft shop if around Nairobi you can visit the shops on Biashara Street for the best quality in town. 

 

 Step 3: Make A  Samples

In this business customers prefer to buy what they can see. You will need a  samples as part of your initial marketing. So do your sample nicely and then start approaching potential clients. Most of your clients will want customized rugs, in terms of colour , design,  and size. Don’t be afraid to knock on doors of big organizations, hotels, hospitals and schools for bulk orders.

 

 How Much To Invest 

 You can get started with as little as Ksh3,000 (inclusive of training fee). 

 

 You can always hire more people to help you speed up production if you have bulk orders with tight deadlines, the current rate is Ksh 200 per ball of yarn. On a good month you can make Ksh20,000 as an individual and even more if you go for bulk orders. How much you make depends on the number of orders you are able to get and process. 

 

The business idea of making shaggy mats teaches us that there is nothing that can stop a person with a determined spirit from achieving greater things in life. Lack of money should not dampen your dreams. Even with as little as Ksh 3,000 you can set up Kenya’s next big name in the home decor industry.