How To Become A Hair Vendor

In the beauty supply world, there are several different and unique occupations. One such job is a hair vendor, in which individuals engage in selling human hair at wholesale prices to beauty salons, as well as others who work in the hair extension business. Being a hair vendor has become an occupation that is in high demand because as the hair extension business gains more and more traction, the notoriety of being a reputable hair vendor grows right along with it.

There are seven steps to becoming a hair vendor. They are as follows:

1. Research Your Products.
2. Pick a Venue.
3. Set Up Wholesale Accounts.
4. Provide Customer Incentives.
5. Sell Accessory Supplies.
6. Offer Discounts to Repeat Customers.
7. Promote Your Business.

Step 1 – Research Your Products

This step is the most important in starting your hair vendor business and is also universal advice that applies to any career. If you are going to sell a product for a living, you need to research that product to become more knowledgeable about it. Becoming a hair vendor is going to require you to have extensive knowledge of hair, and practically everything related to hair.

One example of this can be seen through selling hair extensions. You will need to know what type of hair works best for creating extensions, and whether you need to use human hair or if you can use artificial fibers. You will also need to educate yourself on the similarities and the differences between these two products. At the end of the day, the more you know, the more your business can grow.

Step 2 – Pick a Venue

The next step to becoming a successful hair vendor is to find a venue at which you can sell your products. Two of the more popular options for hair vendors are to either open a brick-and-mortar venue or to set up shop at your local flea market. A brick-and-mortar shop gives you the chance to establish a name for yourself in a permanent location while doing business at a flea market gives you the chance to meet new people consistently.

Another factor that you need to consider when establishing your hair vending career is the type of storage you are going to use to store your hair. Warehouses or commercial storage units offer airtight storage that is also inexpensive. One of the most important things to consider when choosing a storage facility is that human hair must either be hung up or stored flat, and it should also be kept out of humid and dusty conditions.

 

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Step 3 – Set Up Wholesale Accounts

The next step along your journey to becoming a bonafide hair vendor is to set up wholesale accounts with reputable suppliers. Some of the more reputable suppliers are Bohyme, Milkyway, or Saga. However, to get some of the lowest available prices, you are probably going to have to work directly with international manufacturers, rather than buying from distributors that are located in the United States.

This is mainly because most human hair that is used for weaving is produced on the Asian continent. This is a business decision that most hair vendors face, as they have the conundrum of choosing between getting cheaper prices by purchasing hair from overseas or supporting American labor and American businesses by keeping their business within the United States.

Step 4 – Provide Customer Incentives

If you are going to remain in the hair venting business, you have to be prepared to give your customers incentives to do business with you. This is especially true when it comes to the world of beauty supplies, where there are thousands of beauty supply shops across the country. The majority of these chains sell a wide range of human hair. So, what is the benefit of doing business with you?

You need to give people a reason to patronize your business as opposed to the competition. Sure, you can offer discounts to repeat customers (spoiler alert: this will be covered in step six). What you need to consider is how you are going to initially become the hair vendor of choice before you focus your attention on how to get customers to keep coming back to you. Whether it is through your pricing or your outstanding service, there is something you can offer that most other hair vendors can’t beat.

Step 5 – Sell Accessory Supplies

As is the case with most businesses, being a hair vendor is about much more than just selling hair. You have to be prepared to be a one-stop experience for your customers. Think about most of the items your clients need to weave human hair, such as bonding glue, hair razors, and weaving needles. Then, make sure that you are keeping these items in stock. 

I don’t know if it’s something that is ingrained in our culture of convenience, but I like to make as few stops as possible when I am out and about. I don’t even mind paying a little more to get all of my items at one location if it means that I don’t have to make extra stops. Try to incorporate this line of thinking into being a hair vendor. If you don’t make sure that you have lots of accessories on hand for your customers, somebody else will.

Step 6 – Offer Discounts to Repeat Customers

So, you’ve takes all of the necessary steps thus far, and you have the acquisition of customers down pat. Now, it’s time to work on making those new customers something that will make the difference between being a hair vendor and a successful hair vendor. Of course, I’m referring to repeat customers. As I’m sure the majority of you are already aware, repeat customers are the cornerstone of any successful business,

One of the most effective ways to ensure that your customers keep returning to you is by offering discounts to repeat customers. You might also consider offering discounts to salon professionals and cosmetology students. The discount will more than make up for itself by providing you with repeat customers for many years to come. Then, you can hopefully get referrals from those repeat customers that will lead to even more customers.

Step 7 – Promote Your Business

All of your hard work in establishing yourself as a hair vendor won’t amount to much if you are not successfully promoting your business effectively. One of the best ways to promote your business is to establish your business as a vital part of your community. Sponsoring a local beauty show or fashion show is a great way to accomplish this. Another way to promote your business while feeling good about yourself is to donate wigs to cancer patients who have lost their hair.

Using your social media accounts to promote your business online is one of the easiest and one of the most cost-efficient ways to promote your business as well. As always, just be sure to keep your social media accounts separate from your private social media accounts. It is also important to remember that you are always representing your business, whether you are online or you are at a social function. Whether or not you realize this, people are paying attention.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun and exciting way to break into the hair business, becoming a hair vendor might be your calling. However, there are seven steps you must follow if you want to become a hair vendor. The first step is the most important one, which is researching your products. The second step will require you to pick a venue. Step three will have you setting up your wholesale accounts. 

Providing your customer with incentives to choose your business is covered in step four. Step five will have you branching out to sell accessories and supplies. To ensure that you establish a clientele of repeat customers, you need to offer discounts during step six. Finally, step seven will have you effectively promoting your business. Remember that if you want to extend your career in the beauty business, these steps can be a path that will lead you to a long career.

Related Questions 

Where does the most hair used in weaves and extensions come from?

Although there are several places in the world from where hair vendors purchase hair, the majority of the hair used in weaves and in hair extensions comes from China and India. This is because many of the people in these areas make pilgrimages to religious temples, where they shave their heads in rituals of devotion. The temples then take these strands, and then sell them at auction.

What is the most popular length of hair weave in the United States?

There are hair weaves that are available in all types of lengths and colors. However, the most popular length of hair weave in the United States is a medium-length hair weave, which measures anywhere from 14 to 22 inches in length. This is also referred to as shoulder-length, and can be flattened out to a number of different styles and lengths.

 

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Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.