Starting a handmade beauty business can be a rewarding venture, especially if you have a passion for crafting unique products. If you’re aiming for a side hustle that earns you $2000 per month, this could be it.  It can eventually grow into a profitable online business with the right strategy. 

Here’s how to get started on the right foot.

Understanding Your Niche

The first step in building a successful handmade beauty business is identifying your niche. This means understanding what makes your products unique and who your target audience is. 

Do you specialize in natural skin care, luxury bath products, or organic hair care? Knowing your niche will help you tailor your branding and marketing efforts effectively.

• Market Research: Spend time researching your potential customers. What are their preferences? What problems do they face that your products can solve? Use online surveys, social media polls, and competitor analysis to gather insights.

• Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Determine what sets your products apart from others in the market. Is it the quality of ingredients, the craftsmanship, or the ethical sourcing? Your USP will be a cornerstone of your brand identity.

Setting Up Your Online Presence

An online presence is crucial for selling handmade beauty products. Your website and social media channels are your primary touch points with potential customers.

• Website: Create a professional website that showcases your products, tells your brand story, and makes it easy for customers to purchase from you. Platforms like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace offer user-friendly templates and e-commerce capabilities.

• Social Media: I didn’t like social media when it first came on the scene.  It wasn’t the beast that it is today.  It was just what it says … social.  So people were posting what they had for dinner or what they wore to an event.  To be honest, I didn’t care and certainly didn’t want anyone in my business this way.  

Guess what?  Things have changed!

 If you own a business or are thinking about starting one, learning how to leverage social media platforms is crucial.   Whether it’s Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, they’re great ways to build a community around your brand. Share behind-the-scenes content (careful what you share), product launches, and customer testimonials to engage your audience.

This is how social media can be used in a real serious way.

Crafting Your Brand Story

Your brand story is a powerful tool for connecting with customers. It’s the narrative that explains why you do what you do and what makes your products special.

Did you know that your story can inspire potential clients who are on the fence to make the purchase?  When you share your story about the love and care that you put into your products, this helps people feel secure about making the purchase.  Things that you share can often be the tipping point for the next move … wallet out and making the purchase.

• Authenticity: Be authentic in your storytelling. Share your journey, your inspiration, and the values that drive your business.  People can see through BS.

• Visuals: Invest in high-quality photography and design to create a cohesive and attractive brand image. Consistent visuals across your website, social media, and packaging can enhance your brand recognition.

Managing Small Batch Production

Handmade beauty products often involve small batch production.  This can be an advantage when marketing your brand as a boutique setup, because small batch production can also help you test a product quicker.  You can learn whether to remove it or keep it in your line much quicker.

• Quality Control: Ensure consistent quality in every batch. This builds trust with your customers and encourages repeat purchases.

• Scaling Up: As demand grows, consider ways to scale your production without compromising quality. This could involve investing in better equipment, hiring additional help, or partnering with other artisans.

Pricing Your Products

Pricing your products correctly is crucial for achieving your financial goals. Your margins will determine a lot of the success of your business. You need to cover your costs and make a profit while still offering value to your customers.

I actually started our business not knowing what margins were or how to set them.  You might ask, 

“How could you not know that margins were important?”

I didn’t and paid through my chinny chin chin for it.  It was a very steep learning curve.

• Cost Analysis: Calculate the cost of ingredients, packaging, labor, and overheads. Factor in a profit margin that aligns with your financial targets.

• Competitive Pricing: Research competitors to see what similar products are priced at. Position your pricing to reflect the value and uniqueness of your products.

Marketing and Sales Strategies

Effective marketing and sales strategies will help you reach your monthly income goals and grow your business.

• Email Marketing: Build an email list to stay in touch with your customers. Use newsletters to share updates, promotions, and valuable content.

• Collaborations: Partner with influencers, bloggers, or other small businesses to reach a wider audience. Collaborations can boost your credibility and visibility.

• Customer Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and testimonials, because positive reviews can significantly impact purchasing decisions.

Summing Things Up …

Starting a handmade beauty business requires careful planning and execution.  Yet, it can be a very rewarding endeavor that can grow into a profitable online business. 

By understanding your niche, building a strong online presence, crafting a compelling brand story, managing production, pricing correctly and employing effective marketing strategies, you can achieve your goal of earning $2000 per month and beyond.

That’s it for this week.  As always ….

Dedicated to The Success of Your Business

Juliette Samuel,

Beauty Business Blueprint