If you want to run the business of custom tailoring, you can firstly inform the other people by placing flyers and ads at community centers, in schools, and in stores. Place ads in newspapers, shopping guides, and school and church publications. Ask friends and acquaintances to recommend your services; offer to give them a bonus or discount for business they steer your way. Rent space at crafts shows, holiday fairs, and bridal shows. Teach a class in sewing at a local community school for publicity and perhaps to gain new clients.
For the term of up-front expenses, you’ll need a professional-quality sewing machine and other clothes-making equipment. You may be able to farm out some specialized work such as embroidery and decorative stitching. And the other up-front costs include advertising and promotion. Most jobs will be done at a flat rate based on your estimate of the number of hours involved plus the cost of material and notions. It could also be quoted as a cost-plus job, with the client paying the actual cost of all materials plus a set charge for your time as a tailor. Adjust your flat rate, or change to an hourly rate, for jobs where the garment—or the client—will require a great deal of extra effort. Your price should take into account extra works for special features such as sequins, pearls, or lace, and the extra time required working with certain fabrics. After you try to spread the information of your business, and also try to set the charge of the job service, you can start to run the business, and wait for the consumers.