Local salon and spa product supplier

Independent salon owners, booth renters, barbershops, nail studios, day spas and small boutiques.

You buy at wholesale and sell at a markup. Regular reorders from a handful of loyal accounts matter more than one-off sales.

• Sales and relationship building
• Knowing beauty products and what stylists need
• Inventory and bookkeeping
• Reliable delivery

• Many professional brands only sell to licensed professionals or approved resellers, so check each brand's requirements
• Check your state for a sales tax permit or resale certificate, and whether you need to collect tax from customers
• Cosmetics are regulated by the FDA, so check labeling rules and avoid making medical claims
• Products can expire or get damaged, so store them properly and avoid over-buying
• Check HOA or lease rules about storing stock and receiving deliveries at home
• General liability and product liability insurance are worth checking before you sell

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy and your delivery setup. Avoid over-buying, since products can expire or get damaged in storage.

Many professional brands only sell to licensed professionals or approved resellers, so check each brand's requirements first. Also check your state for a sales tax permit or resale certificate before buying stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many salons, barbershops and spas you supply and how often they reorder. These are estimates, and you can start at around 10 hours a week.