Have you been looking into a skincare business but you do not have enough funds to begin with? Read this post if you would like to learn how to start a skincare line with no money.
Contrary to popular beliefs, you do not need to break a bank to launch yourself into the world of skincare business.
Now, so what? How do I get started?
I bet this is the question that pops up in your mind after I debunked that claim, but trust me, I would not leave you wondering how to put things together.
This post right here promises to give you a detailed guide on how to begin a skincare line or own a skincare brand with no money. Or shall I say with little money?
Either way, let us get the show on the road.
How To Start A Skincare Line With No Money
Without a doubt, you probably guessed that whatsoever will not cost you much money, will cost you ample time.
However, this is not to scare you, definitely not, but to make you aware of the task ahead. And yeah, lest I forget, you have to be very creative too. I can trust you with that, right? Great!
So, here is it:
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Make Your Research
The first thing you would want to do when you want to start a new business is to do an extensive research on your niche of interest, in this case, skincare.
It is very essential to understand how things work in your field, what products sell, the possible challenges your predecessors faced, your competitors, and all have you.
You will find the knowledge and understanding of these very helpful in your course of business.
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Choose Your Products
After carrying out your research faithfully, then it is time to choose your products. This step requires to be very meticulous, and that is why you had to take your time for the research.
Undoubtedly, I am certain that you must have found out what gap you would love to fill in your niche, what people do people want but are yet to get value for, and so on.
These answers would help you find with choosing your products. Try to fill a gap someone else in your field is not noticing or filling just yet, and you will be very good to go.
Related: How To Start A Golf Cart Rental Business
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Know Your Customers
Once you have decided what your product will be, now is the proper time to define who your customers and/or target audience are.
You might be thinking that you will be good and can always find someone to buy your products as long as you have them, I am very pleased to shock you that it does not work that way.
Therefore, I implore you to get your acts together before you set out on this business journey. You would find questions like what your customers do, where they work, how much they earn, where they shop, and the likes very beneficial to complete this step successfully.
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Develop Your Products/Find A Manufacturer
Here comes the most anticipated part of this post, I bet you have been looking forward to this section. Well, here we are! This is the stage where you create your own skincare products, I mean your very own products.
There are two options to choose from; you either make your products yourself (a kind of DIY products) or partner with a manufacturing company, one specialized in skin care products, of course.
There are a few things to consider when you are going for the option of a manufacturing company.
Firstly, you want to be sure of the quality of their products. Secondly, their pricing system in terms of affordability, you sure do not want to present products above your customer’s earning power!
Moreso, if their policy supports that you customize the products for your brand, and lastly, if their minimum order quantity is what you can afford.
Minimum order quantity is simply the least units of product you can order from the company, below which you might not be attended to.
Certainly, there could be more; so, make sure you ask as many questions as possible for clarity. Although, I am so sure you would find a company that suits your preference; all you have to do is make your research well.
In case you would prefer to settle for the DIY option, I would assume you have some chemistry skills and probably a few recipes in your head.
However, you have to be sure it is something you can handle and keep up with even when orders keep rolling in.
It is understandable if you would get a helping hand, but remember, they won’t work for free and we are working with little or no funds. Also, put in mind that the formula will change when the volumes change too.
Additionally, there are certain regulations that back these productions up, especially when it is something that has to do with our skin health.
If these are things you can handle, then you are good to start. You will just be needing a few basic things, such as:
- A formula you have tested and trusted
- A large pot
- An electric blender
- The ingredients applicable to your products
Always remember that the option of partnering with manufacturers is still and will always be open if you are ready to explore.
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Devise Your Packaging
The next step after creating your products is to get them a nice and attractive packaging.
You don’t judge a book by its cover, is not a saying that really works in real life because unintentionally, most of us end up judging by the cover. I guess this is why book authors take their times to get their books a good cover design.
Thus, you also have to choose a very alluring package for your products. Customers are first enticed by the beautiful outlook before they worry about the content, composition, or how effective the product will be.
If you have some drawing skills, then you can do it yourself. Otherwise, you can get an experienced designer who won’t send you burgling houses.
I would suggest you opt for the latter though. There are affordable and talented designers around if you put your nose on the ground.
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Build A Website
Relax! It might not be as hard as you might think it is. You do not have to hire a full-fledged web designer to do this.
There are tools you can explore to do it yourself, and I will share some here. Shopify or Woocommerce are superb ideas that you can try out.
Also, you might give Shopify Lite a try- this app helps to turn your social media (facebook, Instagram) into an online store.
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Conduct A Pre-Order Campaign
Now, you might be wondering what this is or how this works. I will usher you into the full gist in a moment.
Create a few samples, do some direct marketing, exhibition (a sort of display at cosmetic stores), you might have to give some units out for people to test (this way, you get them to trust your brand), ring the bell, sound the alarm as much as you can. You can leverage on your social media audience too, it’s there for a purpose.
All of these is to help you create the awareness that your brand needs very direly. Depending on how much ‘noise’ you have made about your product, or how great your marketing skills are, you will get responses.
Responses could be in form of referrals, or paying you with the expectation that you would deliver as soon as the products are ready.
This way, you pull in some funds and you have enough to create more products. Would that not mean that you are using their money to create their products?
And there you are, a skincare brand owner.
How interesting!
Final Thoughts
In summary, we have gone through six straightforward and executable steps on how to start a skincare line with no money.
This includes conducting your own research, choosing your products, defining your target market, creating your products, designing your package, building a website, and executing a pre-order campaign.
So, here is your assignment: get started with these steps and own your skincare line with your hands down. You definitely do not want to miss out on this, and I bet it will be worth it in the end!
You probably have questions, comments, or suggestions regarding this post. Kindly share them in the boxes below, I would love to read them.
Plus, I earnestly look forward to reading your experiences in your new skincare business. I wish you all the best.
Good luck!
