Local salon and boutique beauty supplier

Independent salon and spa owners, booth renters, barbershops, nail studios and small boutiques that want convenient local ordering.

You earn the margin between your bulk purchase price and your wholesale price to the customer. Repeat orders from regular accounts, plus delivery and reorder convenience, are what make it steady.

• Sales and relationship building
• Inventory tracking and organizing
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Basic bookkeeping

• Sales tax: check your state's rules on resale certificates and when you must collect tax from customers
• Many professional brands only sell through approved channels, so check each brand's reseller terms
• Cosmetics are regulated by the FDA, so check labeling rules and avoid counterfeit or gray-market stock
• Products with expiry dates and storage needs can become dead stock, so start with small orders
• General liability and product liability insurance, and check your lease or HOA rules if storing stock at home
• Check with your city or county about a local business license

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, where you store it and your delivery setup. Starting with small orders helps limit dead stock from expiring products.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how many salons and shops you supply and which products you carry. Brand reseller terms can also affect what you are able to sell.

Check your state's rules on resale certificates and collecting sales tax, and each brand's reseller terms. Cosmetics are regulated by the FDA, so check labeling rules and avoid counterfeit or gray-market stock. Also check insurance and local business license rules.