Updated October 21, 2026
Where customers for tailors and stylists come from in Mechelen
In a city the size of Mechelen, customers for tailoring and styling work come through several routes, and most of them require you to be visible and reachable. Word of mouth is powerful - one satisfied customer tells a friend, a colleague at work, or someone at their gym or community centre. That is slow to start but tends to be reliable over time. Local searches online, where someone in Mechelen types 'tailor near me' or 'stylist Mechelen', are another major source. People in your neighbourhood - whether residential areas or busy commercial streets - can walk past, see a sign, or hear about you from locals. Workplaces matter too: offices, hospitals, schools and other employers in the city employ people who need alterations, colour consultations, or styling help. Online platforms and marketplaces, where local service providers show their work and customers can book or request a task, bring a steady stream of inquiries if your profile is set up properly.
Mechelen is a city where people have disposable income for services like styling and tailoring, but they will not know you exist unless you tell them or put yourself where they search. The number of potential customers is real, but you have to reach them.
Setting your first prices in Mechelen
Your price is not set by a platform or a formula - you set it based on your skill, the work involved, and what the market in Mechelen will bear. A simple alteration costs differently from a full custom garment or a complete style consultation. Before you set a price, spend time looking at what other tailors and stylists in Mechelen are charging. Visit competitors' websites, call a few, look at local online profiles. This gives you a realistic floor and ceiling. Then think about your costs: thread, materials, transport to clients, rent or workspace if you use one, and the time the work takes.
Pricing is often the hardest decision for someone starting out. You might price too low because you are uncertain, then struggle to raise prices later without losing early clients. It is better to start slightly higher than you think and adjust down if customers tell you they cannot afford you, rather than the other way around. In Belgium, as a self-employed person, you will also be responsible for taxes and social contributions on what you earn, so your price must cover those costs too - do not set a price based on take-home alone. Talk to an accountant or your local tax office if you are unsure what percentage to set aside.
Your first ten customers and what they look like
Your first customers are usually not random. They tend to be people you already know a little - friends, family, colleagues - or people who found you by chance and were brave enough to try someone new. They are often forgiving about small mistakes because they understand you are building a business. Some will be people who cannot afford big-name tailors and stylists and are looking for value. Others will be locals who prefer to support someone in their city rather than travel to Brussels or use a chain service.
The first months are usually slow. You might get one or two inquiries a week, not one a day. Many inquiries will not turn into bookings - someone will ask for a price, think about it, and disappear. Some customers will be difficult: they will change their mind, want work redone, or complain about price. A few will be wonderful and become regular clients who refer others. Over time, if your work is good and you are professional, the ratio of inquiries to bookings improves and repeat customers increase. But this takes months, not weeks.
Handling money and taxes as a self-employed person in Belgium
When you earn money as a tailor or stylist in Belgium, you are self-employed and have legal and tax obligations. The broad rules are: you must register your activity with the relevant authorities, keep records of your income and expenses, pay income tax, and contribute to social security. The exact rules depend on whether you are a sole trader, whether this is your main job or a side income, and other factors. Do not guess - contact your local tax office (Vlaamse Belastingdienst) or a tax advisor who knows self-employment rules in Flanders. They will tell you what you must do and what you can claim as a business expense.
For taking payments from customers, you have several options. You can ask for cash, but cash is harder to track and many customers prefer not to carry it. Bank transfers work but require you to send an invoice and chase payment. Card payments are convenient for customers and are processed quickly, but they cost you a small percentage per transaction. Stripe is one service that handles card payments and deposits them to your own bank account - you see the exact fee for each transaction. Whichever method you choose, keep records. You need them for your tax return and to know whether you are actually making money.
Common problems in the first months
New tailors and stylists in Mechelen often run into the same issues. Pricing too low leads to working long hours for little money. Taking on too many discount jobs at once exhausts you and makes it hard to raise prices later. Not keeping proper records of money in and out means you cannot tell if you are profitable. Spending on tools, materials or a workspace without knowing your actual income can quickly put you in a hole. Not having a clear way for customers to book or pay - like sending a message, waiting for a reply, and then arranging everything by phone - loses business to competitors who are easier to use.
Many people also underestimate how long it takes to build a reputation. You might work for your first month and earn very little. That is normal. If you can afford it, give yourself at least three months before you expect a steady flow of customers. If you cannot afford that, keep another job and grow this one slowly.
Why a Websta profile matters
A Websta profile is a simple page that shows customers who you are, what services you offer, the prices you charge, and photos of your work - in short, everything they need to decide whether to hire you. It acts like a website, but you do not have to build or pay for a website yourself. People in Mechelen who search online for tailors or stylists can find your profile and see exactly what you do and what it costs.
The profile also includes a contact form and online booking so customers can reach you without sending a message to a personal number or email. When they book or request a service, you handle the interaction. If they pay by card, the payment goes through Stripe and is deposited to your own bank account - you control the money, not a platform. This makes it easy to send to anyone: a link to your profile is something a customer can share with a friend, or you can share it when someone asks what you do. Over time, as your profile gathers photos of completed work and customers book through it, it becomes a working tool that brings in customers on its own.
Getting started in practice
Start by being clear about what you actually offer - is it tailoring, styling, or both? Alterations only, or custom work? Men's, women's, children's clothes, or all three? Do you travel to clients or work from a space? What is your genuine skill level and what are you learning? The more specific you are, the easier it is for the right customers to find you and for you to quote accurately.
Then set a starting price based on what others charge and what you need to earn. Tell everyone you know that you are working as a tailor or stylist - friends, family, colleagues, neighbours. Take photos of your best work, get permission from customers to use them, and create a profile where people can see your work and book you. Ask satisfied customers if they will refer you. Start slow, track what you earn and spend, and adjust as you go. Earning money with this skill takes time, but people in Mechelen do hire tailors and stylists, and you can be the one they find.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I earn as a tailor or stylist in Mechelen?
- That depends on how many customers you get, what you charge them, and how many hours you work. It is impossible to predict. Your first month might bring in very little while you build your reputation. After several months of steady work, you might earn a real income, but this is individual. What matters is pricing fairly for your skill, being professional with every customer, and being patient while you grow.
- Do I need a business licence or registration to work as a tailor or stylist in Belgium?
- Yes, you must register your self-employment activity with the appropriate authority in Flanders. The exact requirements depend on your situation. Contact your local tax office (Vlaamse Belastingdienst) or speak to a tax advisor who works with self-employed people. They will tell you exactly what you must do.
- How do I get my first customers?
- Tell everyone you know - friends, family, people at work, in your neighbourhood. Create a profile online where people can find you and see your work. Ask satisfied customers to refer you. In a city like Mechelen, word of mouth and local online search are the main ways customers find tailors and stylists. It takes time.
- Should I use a platform like Websta or work independently?
- Websta or similar platforms are a tool - they make it easier for customers to find you, book you, and pay you, without you having to build a website. You keep control of your prices and your bank account. Many tailors and stylists use a platform alongside their own efforts. It is not required, but it helps.
- What if I want to do this as a side income while keeping another job?
- Many people start this way. You can take customers around your other work schedule, charge according to that reality, and grow gradually. You still need to register as self-employed and handle taxes correctly. Starting as a side income can work if you are realistic about how many hours you can give to it each week.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.
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