Niche cosmetics wholesaler from home

Hair and beauty salons, day spas, independent boutiques, gift shops and market stallholders who want to buy in trade quantities.

You buy at a trade price and sell at a wholesale price with a margin, usually with minimum order amounts. Repeat orders from regular stockists are the main income.

• Sales and relationship building
• Organising stock and orders
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Basic bookkeeping

• Cosmetics sold in Australia must meet industrial chemical rules (AICIS) and labelling requirements, so check your supplier handles this and what applies to you if you import
• Check with your local council whether running a home-based business and storing stock at home is allowed
• Public liability and product liability insurance, check your cover includes products you sell
• Beware counterfeit or grey-market stock, buy only from authorised sources and keep invoices
• Stock tied up in cash and products with expiry dates can hurt cash flow
• GST registration is required once turnover reaches the threshold, check with the ATO

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your niche and how much bulk stock you buy. Stock ties up cash, and products with expiry dates can hurt cash flow.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your range and how many salons and boutiques you supply. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week.

Check AICIS industrial chemical rules and labelling requirements, and what applies if you import. Check with your council about running a home business and storing stock. Also check insurance covers your products, buy only from authorised sources, and check GST registration with the ATO.