{"id":124013,"date":"2018-09-10T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2018-09-10T07:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com\/?p=124013"},"modified":"2024-11-11T03:53:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T03:53:02","slug":"how-to-start-a-cosmetic-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com\/how-to-start-a-cosmetic-line\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 8 Myths about How to Start a Cosmetic Line from Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are a lot of myths and misinformation out there when it comes to starting a natural skin care business, and we\u2019ve heard them all! From money woes to time constraints, or even worries about how much it takes to set up your lab or market your products, we\u2019re here to bust some commonly-held myths! Hopefully, for those of you who are still dreaming of starting your own cosmetic line from home, or launching your own beauty business, this will ease your fears. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth: <\/b><\/i>You have to have a lot of free time to run a beauty business!<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fact:<\/b><\/i> Actually, you can fit running a business into your life, so long as you plan well.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it takes work to run a business\u2014especially if you\u2019ve got a full-time job elsewhere, and you\u2019re doing it all on your own. It does take time. But you don\u2019t have to quit your job, abandon your social life, or totally neglect your home and family commitments to run a business. Really! It\u2019s all about keeping yourself in balance, setting goals, and staying focused, so you don\u2019t burn yourself out. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re not saying it\u2019s going to be easy. Achieving your dreams and reaching your ambitions is going to take work… but with the right planning and perspective, running a business doesn\u2019t have to take over your world, and it doesn\u2019t have to be as time-consuming as you might think. With focus and determination, and plenty of little steps made each week, you can achieve a lot. You may feel like you have to devote hours and hours of every day, or most of every week, to accomplish your goals, but even small steps add up over time, and the compound effect is huge! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, remember: You don\u2019t have to conquer the world by this time next year. If you break it down into smaller steps, keep sight of your target, and look at things over a longer period of time, your goals will seem much less daunting, and much more manageable. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth: <\/b><\/i>You have to invest a lot of money to get started.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fact:<\/b><\/i> Actually you can make very economical choices and still succeed!<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Again, it\u2019s true that there are start-up costs associated with running a skin care business. You will need to spend money on ingredients, proper packaging, tools and supplies, and if you want to sell your products, you\u2019ll need to think about where your customers are, and how they\u2019re going to find you\u2014whether in-person, or online, or both! But with the right business plan in place, and proper planning and research, you can create an economical budget that works for your life, and stick to it. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A key factor for success in this area is knowing where to spend, and where to save. Some of this will come with time, study, and experience, but some of it can be identified right from the start. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, knowing how to develop your products efficiently, without wasting money on too many ingredients, or unnecessary ones, means you\u2019ll be avoiding costly waste. And knowing how to formulate products properly and professionally will help you save money in the long run. You\u2019ll be able to create unique products that work using ingredients deliberately chosen to deliver the results you seek, without needing to be overly elaborate and costly to produce. It is possible to create magnificent, effective products that don\u2019t cost a fortune to make!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The money you invest in getting your branding right, getting proper packaging and labeling, and developing your business will reward you over and over. Don\u2019t sacrifice on quality here; hire a professional, and keep a decent budget for marketing and promoting your brand, and for selling your products. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth: <\/b><\/i>You need to be a cosmetic scientist to formulate skin care products.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fact:<\/b><\/i> Nope. You can start right now, with the right training.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for prospective skin care formulators to get intimidated by what they assume are the amount of credentials required to create and sell professional skin care products, but being a cosmetic scientist, or even having your degree at all, is simply not necessary. Yes, of course, you do need to be educated and trained in all of the proper, professional methods for formulating safe and effective natural skin care, but that information isn\u2019t reserved to the collegiate level. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, that belief\u2014that anyone should be able to access this information in a comprehensive way\u2014is why we started offering our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation<\/a>. Being a cosmetic scientist is not a prerequisite for being an expert product formulator. Passion, desire, and enthusiasm for your field is often the best ingredient with which to start\u2026 the rest can be taught! Many of our students have successfully established their own skincare lines. You can see some examples <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth: <\/b><\/i>You need to compete with the big brands if you want to make any money at all.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fact:<\/b><\/i> Niche, artisan brands are on the rise!<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

According to Mintel, the world\u2019s leading market intelligence agency, 50% of consumers who bought beauty products in the UK in 2018 so far were actively seeking natural ingredients. 31% of overall consumers in the US did so as well\u2014and that number goes up to 49% for the 18\u201334-year-olds. [source]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mintel has also reported the rising demand for locally-sourced, locally-produced, and small-batch products – which is exactly what niche, artisan brands deliver. \u201cConsumers today are doing more research and reading up on the products and services they buy more than ever before. While naturals continue to be popular with a growing number of beauty consumers, many are choosing to \u2018get back to basics\u2019 by shopping small, buying locally-sourced, locally-produced, and small-batch products, and by \u2018being green\u2019, which is now not only trendy, but for many, a lifestyle choice\u201d (Beauty and Personal Care Global Trends 2018 Report, Mintel).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The desire for small-batch, local and natural products pairs with the entrepreneurial development in the natural beauty and skin care markets to create a perfect environment for artisan brands to do amazingly well. Consumers are looking for locally-made products, personalized, natural, cruelty-free, organic beauty, and they\u2019re not as reliant on the big brands to provide the solution. Indie brands are perfectly poised to deliver those products. Maybe yours is the one someone\u2019s looking for right now!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth: <\/b><\/i>You need a big, fancy launch.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fact:<\/b><\/i> It\u2019s ok to start small and slow.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to make a huge splash in the market to make an impact. Even a little pebble can cause waves that extend outward. When you\u2019re ready to launch your business, don\u2019t stress yourself out about having a huge impact instantly. It takes time to build a following. With slow, careful steps, and a lot of integrity in your products, you will surely make a difference with the right kind of audience. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This all circles back to learning how to spend wisely, work with what you have, and make the most of it. Make a plan for your business that includes all the information about where you intend to market your brand, how you\u2019ll promote and sell your products, and you\u2019ll have much more success with a small, targeted launch, as opposed to trying to make it huge and fancy and target everyone on the planet. The thing with massive launches like that is that unless you have millions of dollars behind them, they have a very short lifecycle. They can be incredibly expensive, with no guarantee of loyalty or even success. A wide and varied audience may see it, and then discard it, because it doesn\u2019t relate to them or feel personalized. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, small consistent steps towards a goal, taken regularly over a long time, builds momentum. The compound effect of all of that will likely bring greater results. Rome wasn\u2019t built in a day, and neither is a solid natural beauty brand. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth: <\/b><\/i>If you want to be successful, you must do everything.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fact:<\/b><\/i> You don\u2019t have to go it alone!<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s tough trying to do everything yourself, which is why we don\u2019t think you should. Sure, you certainly <\/span>could <\/span><\/i>spend your precious hours designing all of the labels, taking the photos, creating flyers, posting on social media, or developing and updating your website, but it\u2019s really not essential that your brand land completely on your shoulders. Don\u2019t run yourself ragged, and pay for quality, professional help where and when you can. Enlist the help of friends and family (for example, as a social media intern, someone to help with packaging and shipping, a friend to help at fairs and markets, etc) to save yourself time and stress. Find a professional where it makes sense and will add real value to your business eg professional branding that is unique and authentic for you. This allows you to maintain focus on the areas of your business where your hands, and your vision, really are essential. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth: <\/b><\/i>The regulations for natural skin care products are too complicated.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fact:<\/b><\/i> Many of our students have successfully navigated the cosmetic regulations.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you are planning to sell your skincare products you\u2019ll need to comply with the relevant cosmetic regulations. For example in the USA, this is the USA Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). In Europe, it is the EU cosmetic regulation 1223\/2009. It can seem daunting at first but if you break down what you need to do into manageable steps, it is perfectly possible and a process <\/span>many of our students<\/span><\/a> have successfully completed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To assist you with this process our <\/span>Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Diploma in Natural Haircare Formulation<\/span><\/a> include details of the regulations in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myth: <\/b><\/i>You have to have everything set up before you start.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fact:<\/b><\/i> You can build your business as you go!<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While you do have to have some things set up before you launch your brand, you don\u2019t have to have <\/span>everything <\/span><\/i>set up to start a successful business. This is especially true for indie beauty brand entrepreneurs who have a whole concept of a product range just ready to go, but before you launch your brand, all you really need is a tested, capsule range of just 3\u20136 products. Really! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these starting products, you\u2019ll need to have the proper product documentation, your batch files, PIF, GMP, and so forth, as well as your good branding, packaging, and labels. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the business side of things, you\u2019ll be well ahead of the game with a business plan that outlines your short-term and long-term goals, as well as a marketing plan, even a simple one, that tells you who you want to target, where you might find them, and how you might attract them to you. Will you find them on social media, through searches, in local markets or shops? You should have a professional and authentic-looking place to sell your products, whether that\u2019s online (via your own website, or a place like Etsy, for example) or in-person (via markets, fairs, and events.) This doesn\u2019t need to be elaborate, but it does need to look and feel the part! Don\u2019t just make do with photos, videos or the visual appearance of your brand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For ongoing success and engagement with your customers, you\u2019ll likely want to have a way of capturing email addresses, so you can stay in contact with your audience\/customers. You\u2019ll want to start thinking about email marketing, PR marketing, blog marketing, social media marketing, word of mouth – pick 1 or 2 that you think will be the most effective and channel everything into those).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can build all of this over time; it doesn\u2019t need to be done all at once or by next week! And when you are up and running, selling products you can build everything else from there!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three things you need to get right in setting up and running a business:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n