afrk life

steps to start a trucking company

2021-05-28T19:40:25.379Z

Are you bored of your 9-5 daily corporate job? You want to travel and earn at the same time? And oh, also you love driving and want to earn money out of it? Well, then you are in for a treat. Here are some easy ways and steps to start a trucking company! In this article, you will get to know about everything that you need to be aware of while starting a trucking company. Be it, the major reasons why you need or should start the company and other issues such as legal issues such as insurances and how to legally establish your driving company. To learn more about trucking companies go ahead and familiarize yourself with the steps to start a trucking company. More https://afrklife.com/how-to-start-a-trucking-company-in-8-easy-steps/

start a sewing business

2021-05-28T19:33:56.644Z

How To Start A Sewing Business With No Money

It may come as a surprise, but millennials are quickly catching on to sewing. The art of attaching pieces of cloth/fabric together is no longer perceived as an elderly activity. People from a lower median age demographic are getting hooked- owing to limitless creativity and customization possibilities. If you are good at your craft, why not earn money within the comforts of your own residence. To adjust to a high-paced and high-tech world- you need to start thinking about how to start a sewing business at home.

Why is the sewing business a reasonable home-venture in 2021?

In addition to stitching and altering clothes as per requirement, sewing as a profession also includes customization. Depending upon their skill, tailors or seamstresses can alter a dress as per the client’s requisites to make a fashion statement. Highly customized dresses may use embroidery, unique design ideas, or other forms of decorative art. These require having an aesthetic concept of clothing, plus considerable skill in the sewing craft. The stitchwork often takes up a lot of time but is compensated by the service remuneration.

Despite the lockdown, market experts predict a 2.03% surplus in demand and market size for fabric, crafts, and sewing supplies for 2021. DIY(Do It Yourself) fashion is on the rise. The availability of leisure time has increased- around 1 in 5 US households currently participate in sewing as a pastime. On the other hand, a 2017 British Heart Foundation survey revealed that 6 out of 10 persons lack confidence in their sewing abilities. 4 out of 10 people do not know how to change their trouser’s length. The art of mending damaged garments is unknown to 25% of people.

Taking these trends into account, it is clear that your recreational sewing activities can be easily converted into an effective business plan. Yes, it is true that retail sewing and craft stores are unable to comprehend the present generation’s requirements. But, almost all sewing and crafting materials are now available for purchase at e-commerce sites at cheaper rates. Do not worry about huge investments. Just a sewing machine, plus some other items for starting. All that’s left is taking the leap.

How to start sewing clothes

If you are a beginner or feel that your skills in sewing need an upgrade, take professional sewing classes in your locality. A recent article on Craft Tribe Online revealed a recent surge in searches with the “sewing classes near me” keyphrase.

Fabric retailers like AfroThreads have opened stores to make sure a quality handmade clothes with a feel of Africa reaches everyone. Also they have a vision to put money back into Africa’s Textile Industry.

The past few years saw the emergence of online educators- including the ones who teach you how to start sewing. Style Sew Me, a start-up based in Texas, offers professionally-made instructional sewing videos , and includes patterns and blazers and so much more, do check her video out.

Getting started with your killer sewing business idea

The entire world came to land still as an aftermath of the COVID-19 epidemic. The shutdown resulted in a steep growth decline for the US sewing industry(with a 2021 market valuation of $3.6 billion). The average 4.7% annual dip in the US industry market growth from 2016 to 2021 reached a low of 7.8% due to the coronavirus pandemic. Industry-level statistics may appear grim on the surface. However, modern trends suggest the opposite.

A few additional items are necessary for setting up shop online, and some of them are discussed below in the next topic.

Machines and tools necessary for starting a home-based sewing business

The minimum requirements for setting and a home based sewing business include the following:

Sewing Machine

An absolute no-brainer- you need a sewing machine for running a sewing business. However, expensive machines are not always good investment options. For newbies, instruction manuals are mostly provided with the machine. Else, check out the complete guide present online and learn how to run a sewing machine.

Professional tailors and seamstresses prefer using basic workhorse machines. There are a few advantages. Firstly, workhorses tend to perform better than the fancy ones in the long run. Second, spare parts cost cheaper and are easily available.

Serger

Known as the overlocker machine in Europe, a serger basically stitches using multiple threads at the same time. This machine performs two functions simultaneously. The first function involves trimming the seam. The other one involves enclosing the fabric edge using a thread case.

Depending upon the machine- two to five strings can be used during the serging process. A serger is an important tool for starting a sewing business. However, it can not replace a sewing machine full-time.

Mirror/Camera

A full-body sized mirror is essential for the client to check the fit and appearance of the product. Avoid concave/convex mirrors which alter the actual appearance of the person trying your sewn outfit.

Planning to take your seamstress business online? Invest in a decent camera. High-quality captured images are better in showcasing your skill as a seamstress/tailor. This enhances client-conversion.

Mannequins

Mannequins are an essential investment in any cloth-related business. The human-body shaped dolls are used to showcase ready to wear dresses/clothing. Made up of plastic, fiber, or other materials- mannequins are available in both male and female body types. Smaller-sized mannequins are usually preferred for making miniature samples, as it results in a lower fabric cost. Try adjustable mannequins for making custom-sized clothing, depending upon client requirements.

Additional tools(Lighting)

In addition to the ones mentioned above, you may feel the need to purchase extra tools and machinery for your business. The requirements depend upon the type of sewing services offered. A ruffler machine helps in speeding up the process of sewing ruffles. Cheap aftermarket options are available for sewing kits, or other sewing-related accessories.

Do not neglect the importance of setting up the proper lighting conditions in your workspace. Good lighting is necessary for a variety of reasons, including sewing performance enhancement, helping clients, and showcasing readymade clothing items using mannequins/models.

A sewing business is incomplete without inventory materials like needles, sewing threads, buttons, fabric, and last but not least, a pair of scissors. Most of these items are available in both retail stores and online e-commerce sites. Choose high-grade ingredients to ensure that your final sewn product is of outstanding quality and durability.

Things to consider before jumping onto Sewing business opportunities:

Before starting any business, it is imperative to have an impartial analysis of your capabilities. Grade your own abilities as a seamstress. A quick comparison with seamstresses in your neighborhood/locality will suffice. As they say, understanding the competition is key.

Other factors you need to consider before starting off include the possible adjustments with your own family/lifestyle. Setting up and running a business is time-consuming, and often takes up a lot of space. You might find the business difficult if you have little space in your place of residence or kids who require your constant supervision. If you intend to keep your business local- ensure a private place in your sewing studio for the clients to try on garments.

Sewing as a profession requires sitting in a hunched position for long hours. Thus, it is not a great idea for someone suffering from chronic back pain or spinal injuries. Practice yoga and exercises to keep your posture in check.

What can I sew to make money? Turning profits

The average annual income of a seamstress is approximately 29000 USD. The amount may change upon the number of working days, frequency of clients, or service charges. On an hourly basis, the amount sums up to anything between $11.26 to 13.85.

How to start a sewing business?

Having trouble deciding the final product? Fear not. There are several options to choose from, and each product has its own sewing pros and cons.

Home-sewn products are returning to popularity thanks to social media and podcasts. A popular sewing podcast, Love to Sew, has been downloaded over 2.7 million times– around 30000 times weekly. Trends indicate a renewed interest in sewing among millennials- custom-sewn products are hip.

In any case, if you are looking for suggestions, here is a list of options to start your sewing business.

Purses, wallets, or handbags

Custom hand-sewn purses, wallets, or handbags are wildly popular in the present generation. They fetch a decent price, and there are no additional worries about sizing.

Kids Apparel

Dresses for kids are easy to sew, and require less fabric.

Women’s Clothing

There are about a million options in women’s clothing. Some designs are easy to make. On the other hand, complex designs require expert craftsmanship and several hours of work. The wide variety of options mean a high number of clients.Try minimalistic styles with less zippers/buttons- especially if you are starting.

Customized dresses for dancing/leotards

This is a specialized line of work. Your clients will include performance artists(ballerina, dancers) or sportspersons(skaters and gymnasts). Learn how to apply rhinestones in dresses before you begin this venture.

Upcycling

Appreciate all things artistic and wish to create something unique?? Upcycling is very popular in local markets, and generates quite a profit.

Repairs/Alterations

Contrary to popular belief, alterations and repairing often require more finesse. A proficiency in fine sewing and unpicking previous stitchworks is a must for alterations. Ask for what you deserve, as people fail to understand the skill and time required for such activities.

Top 5 Beautiful Black Models | Gorgeous Models

2021-05-04T18:26:38.919Z

Be it their vivacious personalities, charismatic charm, or simply their drop-dead gorgeousness, the aura that surrounds these dynamic and Beautiful Black Models is something you simply can’t take your eyes off. These Gorgeous models exhibit sheer confidence that they boast of and the beauty that they present this world with is what inspires many women to flaunt the beauty they are blessed with. These gorgeous models teach the world that beauty doesn’t need to adhere to standards set by those before us; beauty is about having the confidence to be yourself despite what one may think of you.

Here are the top 5 Beautiful Black Models who taught the world what it’s like destroying age-old standards and feeling beautiful in your own skin.

Tyra Banks – One of Top 5 Beautiful Black Models

If you don’t live under a rock, you definitely have heard the name Tyra Banks. One of the top gorgeous models around the world, she has been an inspiration for women far and wide. The woman isn’t just a model, she is an icon. She has taught women all around the world, to embrace their selves and simply flaunt their flaws, because one day that will become their greatest strength. She started modelling at the age of 15 and was rejected by about four agencies before being signed by L.A. Models. Being the master of a fierce personality, the fire in her in evident from the journey she has covered. She is an inspiration for many women and continues to be an icon. This gorgeous model is still tearing the charts with her drop dead gorgeous looks and modelling finesse.Currently, she is set out to search for people who can represent the fierce beauty that she holds with her hit TV show “America’s Next Top Model”.

Winnie Harlow:

Speaking of gorgeous models, how can one not include Winnie Harlow in them. If different is beautiful, the Winnie Harlow is the queen of different. She is currently the spokesperson for the skin condition Vitiligo. Her unique condition had caused her skin to get depigmented causing her to become a victim of bullying when she was in school. But this didn’t stop the gorgeous model from pursuing her dream. She wanted to show that beauty is not just something that is skin deep.Blessed with courage, patience and sheer talent she managed to gain herself quiet the limelight, breaking unrealistic beauty standards. She had participated in America’s next top model and even though she wasn’t able to win the competition, yet she definitely won quite a few hearts. Right now she’s killing the runway with her undisputed charm and flawless charisma.

NyakimGatwetch– One of the Most Beautiful Black Models

This Gorgeous model is the queen of darkness. She was previously asked by many to bleach her skin. However,NyakimGatwtch chose not to. She represents how every skin colour is beautiful in its natural state and doesn’t need to be changed unless you want to. With her extreme confidence and zeal to turnaround the beauty standards, she is one of the most demanded gorgeous models of the beauty industry. She has adorned the front covers of many reputed magazines, making her point clear that beauty has no bars. Originally from South Sudan, the Ethiopian model faced a lot of hardships in her early years, but that never stopped her from being the beauty that she is today. She has taught so many girls, that beauty lies within and the small mentality of your peers shouldn’t stop you from being the queen that you are.

Duckie Thot:

The melanin beauty Duckie Thot is known for being a real life Barbie doll who simply slays every runway she walks. This gorgeous model is an Australian beauty who had first emerged from cycle eight of Australia’s Next Top Model. Since then she is a force not to be reckoned with. If a career had wings, then it would be definitely of Dukie Thot. She stands for the unique beauty that she represents. She was first introduced to the modelling industry by her sister Nikki Thot and fell in love with it ever since. Her beauty teaches us the meaning of the phrase “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”. She has debuted in several famous fashion shows including campaigns for Fenty beauty and Victoria’s Secret Fashion show.

Liris Crosse:

Beauty doesn’t lie in depriving yourself of all luxuries of life and simply trying to fit in set standards. Beauty is about flaunting every curve in your body. The gorgeous model,Liris Crosse is a believer of this concept for she thinks that designers should focus on more sizes than just one. Every size, every curve that we flaunt is beautiful. She represents the woman next door and considers that brands should focus on them as they are the end users. Crosse first made her modelling debut with Project Runway, and never looked back every since. The plus size model has worked with several popular brands which include names such as Goddess Lingerie and Ashley Stewart.

nigeria giant of Africa

2021-05-04T18:25:40.500Z

Nigeria is often referred to as the “Giant of Africa”, and with good reason. With a population of about 200 million it is the seventh most populous country in the world. It also has the third largest youth population. These young people are doing it all from starting tech businesses, to making music, to writing books. Of course you know that Africa is not a country, but how much do you know about each of the countries that make up the continent? Nigeria Giant of Africa; is a great place to start with.

Now, if you watch the video above, you won’t need to read the details in the rest of this article. The video also features the Afro-House fusion dance record “Ijo (Dance)” by Wyll Diamond.

Nigeria: Basic Facts

Official name: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Other names: Giant of Africa
Capital: Abuja
Independence date: October 1, 1960
Official languages: Nigerian English
Currency: Naira (₦) (NGN)

Former colonizer:Great Britain

Country population: 201 million (2019 estimate)
Current leadership: President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office May 29, 2015
Major ethnic groups: Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba
Major religions followed: Christianity and Islam

Major cities:

Lagos
Kano
Ibadan
Benin City
Port Harcourt

A Brief History

Colonization dates:

August 1861 – Britain annexed Lagos as a Crown Colony with the Lagos Treaty of Cession
January 1, 1901 – Nigeria became a British protectorate, and part of the British Empire

International Organization Memberships:

Tourism

Nigeria: Giant of Africa is a giant in terms of its rainforests and savannah stretches that it features across its terrain.Where the rest of the world is battling to conserve their natural reserve amidst the pollution and exploitation, Nigeria is still giving its best efforts and the results are not disappointing.It is the 6th out of seventeen most biodiverse regions of the world. These forests are home to a diversified flora and fauna. It ranks as the 10th most diversified flora rich region of the world. Apart from this the country ranks third in the richest marine biodiversity genre.

This country is also a hub of ethnicity. It houses some of the oldest and most ethnic tribal and cultural groups of the world. These groups are known for their nature friendly practices and minimalism inspired livelihood. Despite living in the wild, they are one of the most resistant to diseases. Many explorers have visited these groups to learn about their rituals and culture that promote a healthy lifestyle.

The ethnic Education

To ensure that the new generation adults do not forget their roots, children are given training on their ethnicity and culture. They are taught how to live in harmony with nature. Though the training might seem to be a bit harsh, the child grows up to be fully independent adult who has the requisite skills to earn his own livelihood. They are trained in skills such as weaving, carpentry and much more. Though employment rate is challenged throughout the globe and Nigeria being no exception to it, yet indigenous people manage to fill their tummies pertaining to the initial training they have received.

Economics:

20th largest economy as of 2015, worth more than $500 billion and $1 trillion in terms of nominal GDP and purchasing power parity

Wars and conflicts

Ekumeku War (1883–1914) was a series of uprisings against the rising power of the Royal Niger Company of the British Empire in Anioma, the Igbo subgroup in present day Delta State. Although the Ekumeku failed in 1914, but the western Anioma treasure their memory as imperishable legacy. Heroes included DunkwuIsus of Onicha-Olona, NwabuzoIyogolo of Ogwashi-Ukwu, AwunoUgbo, Obi of Akumazi, AgbambuOshue of Igbuzo, Idabor of Issele-Ukwu, OcheiAghaeze of Onicha-Olona, Abuzu of Idumuje-Unor, IdegwuOtokpoike of Ubulu-Ukwu are still remembered in Anioma land. The Ekumeku War is one of the most vigorous campaign of opposition to the British empire and inspired later rebellions such as the Mau Mau of Kenya.
The Anglo–Aro War (1901–1902) was a conflict between the Aro Confederacy in present-day Eastern Nigeria, and the British Empire. Some of the Aro leaders, like OkoroToti, were arrested, tried by tribunals, and hanged. The Aro Confederacy was destroyed and EzeKanuOkoro (king of Arochukwu), went into hiding but was later arrested.
Aba Women’s Riots of November 1929 – Igbo women protested and accused Warrant Chiefs of restricting the role of women in the government.
Civil war (1967–1970) – “The disequilibrium and perceived corruption of the electoral and political process led, in 1966, to back-to-back military coups. In May 1967, the Southern Region declared independence as a state called the Republic of Biafra, under the leadership of Lt. Colonel EmekaOjukwu.[64] The Nigerian Civil War began as the official Nigerian government side attacked Biafra on 6 July 1967 at Garkem. The 30-month war, with a long siege of Biafra and its isolation from trade and supplies, ended in January 1970.[65] Estimates of the number of dead in the former Eastern Region are between 1 and 3 million people, from warfare, disease, and starvation, during the 30-month civil war.”

Some Trivia

Most populous country in Africa (as of 2019)
Seventh most populous country in the world (as of 2019)
Third-largest youth population in the world, after India and China, with more than 90 million of its population under age 18
Over 250 ethnic groups
Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest exporter, and has the 10th largest proven reserves. (The country joined OPEC in 1971.) Petroleum plays a large role in the Nigerian economy, accounting for 40% of GDP and 80% of Government earnings.
Prebendalism refers to political systems where elected officials and government workers feel they have a right to a share of government revenues, and use them to benefit their supporters, co-religionists and members of their ethnic group.