Matthew Jacobs: Entrepreneur who designs male, female clothes

Matthew Jacobs is a graduate of Accountancy from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. He is the founder of Macaxx Designs, a Lagos fashion outfit that specialises in both male and female clothing.
He was inspired to establish his fashion business by his parents and love and passion for fashion. The achievements of Matthew’s parents often motivated him on daily basis, pushing him into setting up Macaxx Designs in 2014.
The young designer started his business with no start-up capital. According to him, it was his ideas, drive and vision that helped in getting his business started. Matthew, who already had parents that were designers, was able to secure a sewing machine from them which he used at the early stage of his business.
The accountant-turned-entrepreneur told Start-Up Digest that he started out by helping friends and family members amend their clothes and was getting a lot of recommendations which prompted him to register his business in 2011.
After the registration of his business, Matthew acquired some skills in designs by taking training courses in fashion. Since starting, he has constantly updated himself with latest skills in the industry, which helps him remain in business and compete favourably in the industry.
“The fashion industry is constantly changing, so upgrading my fashion skills has helped me to remain in business and compete favourably,” the fashion designer said.
The young entrepreneur stated that his business has grown tremendously since starting. His business has grown from one outlet to two. Matthew also told Start-Up Digest that he has used social media platforms to promote his brand.
“My business has grown since starting and I now have two outlets with several trained apprentices who have graduated and now running their individual businesses,” he disclosed.
Matthew sources his raw materials locally across markets and mostly from fabric fairs.
Answering questions on the challenges the business is facing, Matthew said that the country’s infrastructural gaps have remained a challenge to his business. According to him, poor power supply has continued to impact negatively on his business.
Another challenge to his business is the rising cost of raw materials. He said that prices of materials needed for production have double within the last 18 months.
Also, Matthew stated that lack of access to finance is a major challenge confronting his business. He called on the government to provide loans for start-ups at single- digit interest rate.
He noted that entrepreneurship will only grow when start-ups begin to access cheap funds to grow their businesses. Matthew also urged the government to subsidise the prices of some industrialised machines needed for production.
When asked about his expansion plan, Matthew stated that he plans to open up a fashion and art academy across major cities in Nigeria.
Asked what his advice is to other entrepreneurs, Matthew urged them to do what they have passion for. “My advice to other entrepreneurs is: Have a business plan, the drive, be consistent, and strive to out-do your past. Do what you have passion for, because creativity only comes from within,” he said.

Josephine Okojie