I am a fairly new independent esty still trying to build my clientele. I am trying to keep retail on the shelves because I know it is a big part of profit when it comes to this business, however, the overhead of doing so is a struggle for me. Anyone have tips on starting a new business and dealing with retail. I hate getting a new client in and talking to them about products they should be using and not having it in stock. What do you know about setting up accounts with skincare lines?
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Hi Erica
I am also an independent esty and I recently started carrying Glotherapeutics. I LOVE their products both retail and back bar. The great thing about them is that they have no minimums and they offer a few great start up packages. I was on a tight budget so I started with the basics and then built it up from there.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck! :)
You should try to use a company that doesn't require minimum orders, or if they do, the initial opening order isn't too high and then after that no minimums. I've had great customer service with Ilike Organic Skin Care, their opening order was $1500, than none after that. I have not had even one product return with them from one of my clients and I've been using it since September. Also, I believe that SKin Fitness, Osmosis and a few others also do not have minimum orders. Than just carry what you know you need and what you know you sell.
It's always best to have products on hand because people, especially women, are impulse buyers. However, when you are first starting out you can always share how great the products are and tell the client that because everyone's skin is different you do not carry everything and that you order it especially for them. They can pay you up front and you contact them when it arrives. It's hard when you are a solo to keep everything in stock as the overhead can be daunting. Bessie and Tamara had good comments too. Look for a company with no minimum order or a low minimum order. Also inquire about setting up an account. You don't know until you ask. I now order whatever I want and am billed in 30 days. This might not be available to you until you have some history with the company. Good luck!
Hi Erica,
I just opened my own treatment room a month ago and I decided to go with Skin Script because they have a great variety of enzymes and peels that you can combine and be more creative customizing your services, the retail is affordable so is very easy to sell it and for every retail product that you buy they send you a trial size of the same product free (I have found this very convenient because I can give my clients a sample after their facials and most of them have come back to buy the retail size). Though there are a couple of products that I don’t like at all, so far I’m more than happy with most of them. They have no minimum order and shipping is only five dollars. Almost every month they have a webinar for back bar and retail products that is very informative. I have call them a couple times to inquire about which treatments I should do (I’m still learning) and they were very helpful, even they email me just to see how their recommendations worked for me!
I hope this can help you, I know how overwhelm can be going on your own.
BTW Spanish is my first language, so I apologize for the grammar mistakes.
Hi Erica, as far as how many of a single item to carry: I first started off carrying a small number of products (cleansers, moisturizers, my favorite serums) in 2's. Then, as I grew, I moved to having at least 3 of an item in stock. I found that was a good way to have items on the shelf, but also money in my wallet.
Find a line you like that has no minimum orders. Try out the samples. See which ones you like best that fit with your current clients skin. If you don't know what your clients use for skincare tell them your looking into a new line. Get their excitement up. Ask them what they like or don't like about their current line and educate them on which products you think would work for them. Even if you haven't purchased the line yet tell them you are in the process of getting it. Then bring in 2 items of the products you know you could sell them. I brought in Image with a huge up front order without knowing if I could sell this line or not. Some items I love and some I don't. But I do know if I didn't have the products in stock they would loose their excitement and not buy them the next time they came in. So hope that helps.
one word...KITS!!! Retailing trial or travel size options is a great way to introduce clients to products, easy on your budget (plus you can really fill up your shelves!) Some companies don't offer actual "kits" but if they offer travel sizes you can customize them yourself :)
I'm so glad you mentioned this because I had thought about it before. I think I'm going to try this out. It's just really hard for me to have a lot of full size retail products on the shelves right now since my business is in the growing stages and very hit and miss with product sales. Thanks for the tip!
Hi Erica. I use Uspa Skincare. It is carried at a local Beauty Supply but manufactured in Australia. It is amazing product and I love it. No minimum order either. The big bonus for me, was that I did not carry retail in the beginning. I did individual orders and either delivered them or shipped them if needed. This allowed me to grow slowly and start purchasing more as I could afford. Now I have just the right amount and can stock up locally anytime I need :) Hope this helps!
Thank you everyone for your responses.
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