Starting A New Company

I am starting a new skin care company and I am lost at where to start, I don't know how to get the word out about my products and I am unsure as to how to approach business owners.  I love making skin care products and I think my products are unique but when it comes to selling the products I have not succeed at it yet.  All of the products I sell are hand-made and are completely organic.  I know that many of you have been in the skin care profession for some time.  Do you have any tips on how to start a skin care business, how to attract quality representatives and how to get the products in stores?  Thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Katie Armitage on July 13, 2012 at 11:51am

Congratulations for taking the leap into entrepreneurship! That is an outstanding feat! Is your business registered? Have you covered all the legalities required to sell your products? Who is making the products? If you are using a manufacturer, they would be a good place to start with trying to grow/promote your line. They do this all the time. You could also look at entrepreneur magazines/publications. There will be lots of business building tips. The ASCP Successful Business Handbook may be helpful as well as the other marketing / business building tips we offer to members.  There are associations for product manufacturers as well.  You might try  http://www.icmad.org/ Independent Cosmetics Manufacturers and Distributors

Email: info@icmad.org
Phone: 1-800-334-2623
Fax: 847-991-8161 Mail: 1220 W. Northwest Hwy Palatine, Illinois 60067

ICMAD may offer materials/tips specific to product manufacturing that may be of help, as well.  You may also want to consider exhibiting at some of the major trade shows to introduct your product to estheticians.  There is a list of tradeshows on our website at http://www.ascpskincare.com/media/pro_events.php  You might want to tap in to some regional skin care meetings where you can introduce your product with small samples.  Samples are a great way to convince spas and salons that they should carry your product.  There are many ways to promote new products, you just need to find the one that is right for you (and fits within your budget).  Good luck!!

Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on July 14, 2012 at 12:31pm

As far as skincare products go I am leary about using home-made products.

It's a liability issue mostly...we have to deal with labeling/ingredient lists and MSDS as well as possible client reactions.

I am not sure that estheticians would be your target market - although it does depend on what your products are.

Permalink Reply by Claire Roberts on July 14, 2012 at 1:09pm

Thank you all for your advice and comments!

Katie: My business is registered and I am within the legal parameters of being a cosmetics manufacturer in my state.  I don't want to use a manufacturer because I prefer to make these products myself at this time.  I do want to join an organization and the ICMAD is one I am interested in, this is something I will certainly look in to. Tradeshows are high on my list, I want to hire a trade show representative if that is possible.  I love making the products but I am not a sales person so I am really looking for people who can provide an excellent presentation to potential customers.  I would like to build a network of representatives or ambassadors but didn't know when to approach that stage within my business.

Cindy: I use certified organic ingredients and I make sure that all tools, supplies and bottles are sterile.  I ensure high precautions and there have been no adverse effects to any of the products.  They are of high quality, they are just made by me.  This is by choice because I prefer to make each order and to hand-blend the ingredients.  I enjoy making the products.  When the orders become too much to handle, I will probably turn to a manufacturer and have them handle the products.  I thought Estheticians would have more insight on skin care products and would be able to communicate to customers why they should use the products.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on July 14, 2012 at 5:58pm

Get as much info as you can on a beautiful website. Might as well start off with a shopping cart

Make up a brochure with professional/wholesale pricing and put together a sample kit that you can give to business owners.

When I choose products to retail to clients I want nice packaging, nice ingredients, and a decent profit margin. I'm an esthetician not necessarily a sales person or product rep...the only way I can sell something is if I really love it.

For resale you must have the ingredient list on the package.

If your products are fantastic they will come - a little bit of buzz from local people that love your products is always great - get your facebook page up!

Trade shows are very expensive to attend - the one in my area is around $1500 per day for a booth. But it would be great exposure if you could do that much volume.

Area boutiques might be a better outlet for your products (again - dependng on what those are)

( to be honest, "certified organic" doesn't get me all excited - seems like everyone is saying that, so there needs to be something really special about what you offer. )

Permalink Reply by Lauren Snow, ASCP on July 16, 2012 at 2:55pm

This is all fantastic advice. Thank you for sharing Cindy.

Permalink Reply by lora condon on July 14, 2012 at 4:36pm

I HIGHLY recommend taking Tory Johnsons seminar Spark & Hustle. It's the must have seminar for small biz owners. Tell her Lora Condon sent you! I do her makeup for Good Morning America

Permalink Reply by Claire Roberts on July 14, 2012 at 9:22pm

Thanks so much Cindy.  I haven't made a brochure just yet to pass out to business owners.  I think that should be my next step in the process and it may be cheaper overall than trade shows which can be quite expensive, even though they lead to high exposure.  My products are unique, but I realize there are many natural skin care brands on the market and I want to figure out how I can differentiate myself from the sea of certified organic and natural skin care product lines.  My products are also much more expensive than other product lines so that is a limitation that I am trying to overcome.  I am going to look into many of your suggestions and see which ones make the  most sense for me at this time.  Thanks!

I looked into Tory Johnson's Sparkle & Hustle.  I am going to look into it some more.  I think I can get some good information from her.

Thanks guys!!

Permalink Reply by Jenny Arnol on July 27, 2012 at 12:02am

You have to apply some marketing strategies like first of all you have to give an advertisement for your products and make sure don't put your products direct in the market with high prices. Just give some discount or any free scheme with some products and grab the attention of custmers.

natural organic skin care

Permalink Reply by Claire Roberts on August 7, 2012 at 1:05am
I am new to the skin care business and wanted some insight. I started my business experimenting with different ingredients and seeing which ones worked well together. One of my products cost $115 for ingredients and packaging. The cost of packaging is $14.82. When I add in the shipping cost for some of the ingredients or packaging materials per order I am at $135 to have this product ready for sale. I am wondering how to price this product to cover a possible wholesale transaction and in the event I utilize sales representatives them receiving a profit from selling the product as well. What would be a reasonable charge or price mark up for this product? Thank you.

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