Starting a business from an old sewing machine

Dare to think, dare to do, with skillful hands, Ms. Le Thi Tham (born in 1976), residing in Dong Hung hamlet, Tan Hiep commune, wrote her own story of changing her life, gradually taking control of her life on her homeland, both developing the family economy and creating jobs for many local women.

Ms. Le Thi Tham (right) and workers check the fabric quality before sewing the product. Photo: TRAN HIEU

Passionate about sewing since childhood, Mrs. Tham used old pieces of fabric available in the house to sew clothes for dolls. When she grew up, her parents sent her to learn the trade. In 1992, Mrs. Tham and a few sisters founded a tailor shop, mainly sewing retail pajamas and tailoring ao dai according to customers' requests. The income was just enough to live on. After many years of accumulating experience and having a stable customer base, in 2015, Thinh Thu tailoring facility was established and operated effectively. In particular, in the past 4 years, Mrs. Tham has been involved in the profession of sewing school uniforms for more than 150 schools. During the peak school season, the number of uniforms ordered is up to more than 100,000.

Sharing her start-up story, Ms. Tham confided: “At first, there were only a few old sewing machines, my sisters and I worked together, it was very difficult. But because I love the job, I tried to learn little by little, gradually having regular customers and a stable job. Now I am happy because I can help many other women have income, take care of their families.” Currently, Thinh Hung sewing facility creates jobs for about 50 women in and outside the commune. Most of them receive products to sew at home, earning an income of 3 - 5 million VND, depending on working time and skill level. There are 10 female workers working regularly at the facility. They are in charge of cutting fabric, overlocking, sewing, ironing, and packaging products.

Having worked at Thinh Hung garment factory for 4 years, Ms. Thi Duyen, residing in Kenh 9 hamlet, said: "Thanks to the job at the garment factory, I can work close to home and have a stable income. Working and being close to acquaintances, I feel happier and more confident." While quickly sewing and assembling the body of the shirt, Ms. Nguyen Phuc Hau, residing in hamlet B, said that before, she was a housewife and took care of 2 small children, with no income. Seeing that Ms. Tham's garment factory was near her home, Ms. Hau came to apply for a job and was taught a profession for free. After many years of working, she gradually became skilled and had a significant source of income. Ms. Hau shared: "At peak times, when there are many orders, we work overtime, and our monthly income can reach 10 - 15 million VND."

Ms. Le Thi Tham (center) discusses with customers about the designs and progress of school uniform orders. Photo: TRAN HIEU

After 10 years of operation, Thinh Thu sewing facility is not only a prestigious address for many agencies, units, and schools in sewing uniforms and sportswear for students, but is also known by many customers for designing new clothing models. Thanks to that, more and more customers order in large quantities. On average, the facility receives about 3,000 products per month. During peak times such as the back-to-school season and Tet, orders can reach more than 10,000 products. Estimated annual profit is about 500 million VND.

Ms. Le Thi Tham said she will continue to invest capital, purchase more printers to create more fashion designs, meet the increasing tastes of consumers, thereby signing more orders, creating job opportunities for local women so that they can confidently take control of their lives.

TRAN HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/khoi-nghiep-tu-chiec-may-may-cu-a465168.html