Online hair extensions store

Individual customers who want length, volume or a new look, and some stylists who buy small amounts for clients.

You buy at wholesale and sell at a markup. Extra income comes from bundles, colour-matching kits, care products and repeat orders.

• Knowing hair types, textures and colour matching
• Product photography and online listings
• Customer service and handling returns
• Basic bookkeeping and stock tracking

• Check whether you must register for GST/HST once sales pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules where you sell
• Check with your municipality whether a home-based business licence is needed
• Be honest about hair origin and quality; check Competition Bureau rules on accurate product claims
• Check that your commercial general liability or product liability insurance covers hair products
• Returns on hygiene items and shipping costs can eat into margins, so set a clear returns policy
• If you sell in Quebec, check French-language requirements for your website and labelling

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on how much wholesale stock you buy, your website setup and your photography. These are estimates, so build your own budget around your chosen niche, such as clip-ins or colour-matched ranges.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on your niche, your stock range and how well you market the shop. This is revenue, not profit, and returns on hygiene items and shipping costs can eat into margins.

Check whether you must register for GST/HST once sales pass the small supplier threshold, plus provincial sales tax where you sell. Also check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and French-language requirements if you sell in Quebec.