Starting your black-owned beauty supply store is an exhilarating adventure. And as we all know, adventure is full of ups and downs, but it is hardly a regrettable experience.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
With the global beauty industry advancing faster than ever, it is expected to reach or even exceed $800 billion by 2025. So if you are thinking about how to start an online beauty supply store as a black business owner, the best time is now, and this read will show you how! Stay with me.
How to Start Your Black-Owned Beauty Supply Store
Like any other business, there are a few essentials to consider before starting. However, because black-owned beauty supply stores are gaining ground and are unique even as an industry, you need to carefully structure and set up your business so you can fly high.
You can set up your online store for beauty supplies by following these simple steps.
Product Selection and Market Research
The first thing you should consider before starting your supply store is the beauty product you want to sell. Do you want to focus on one product or various products? The product you choose will influence the direction your business will take and assist you in creating a distinctive brand concept. And here’s where market research comes in.
Market research is a crucial element in business strategy. It helps you collect information about your target markets and consumers. You could start with Amazon because it has a large consumer base and is widely regarded as the best place to conduct an information search.
Additionally, you can check customer reviews, learn about pricing, and search for detailed descriptions to include in your business. Check Google Trends, eBay, Lushosa, Alibaba, and AliExpress for similar listings.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Create a business plan
Creating a business plan is another crucial step that will help you achieve long-term and short-term goals. Your business plan will enable you to identify your business model, define your objectives, figure out potential obstacles, and evaluate the resources you’ll need.
If you don’t have the funding for your business venture, you will require a business plan to figure out if your e-commerce business can make a profit.
However, there is no set amount of capital required to launch an online beauty store. You can start with $100 or $1m, depending on what works for you and your situation.
When creating an e-commerce business plan, add these components:
- Executive summary
- Company description
- Products and services
- Market analysis
- Marketing Plan
- Business operations
- Financial plan
- Appendix
Develop a Brand Identity
After doing the aforementioned, the next thing is developing a brand identity – something that’ll make you stand out. If you’re going to sell lip gloss, your branding should persuade a potential customer to purchase from you rather than from one of the competing lip gloss vendors.
So, to build an identity that will stand out, you can start with these:
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
- Position your Product
There are many spaces for online stores, like Amazon and Lushosa. Where will your product get to your target audience? Get into the minds of your customers by addressing unique problems that your competitors have not addressed. - Write your Brand Definition
Your brand definition is a detailed description of what you offer, why you provide it, and what makes it the choice product and better than other options. - Get a Brand Name and Logo
Create a short yet catchy Brand name that resonates with the product you are offering. Also, get a logo or brand mark that serves as the face of your brand. - Launch your brand
To launch means to publicize your brand. Unveil your brand name, logo, and slogan. Show the public what your brand stands for.
Advertise and Build an Online Presence
In addition to e-commerce spaces, you can create a website for your products. You will need to hire SEO, SEM, and SERP experts to boost your ranking and make you visible on Google to accomplish this. It will drive organic traffic to your website.
You can use your page and paid advertisements to promote yourself on social media sites like Instagram. Connecting with influencers to advertise your product will cover a lot of ground in the beauty market because influencers have large fan bases.
