I get many questions on WhatsApp of women and more and more men, about how to start selling hair. But last week I received a more specific question. On Friday from Kenya I received a very warm and open app from MBaire. At times she manged to make me even laugh while reading. She shared with me her desire to open a cosmetic shop.

Mbaire already made the right steps. Although she shared she did not know much about “beauty stuff”. The way she has prepared herself and the approach going further, convinced me Mbaire has the potential to become a great and successful entrepreneur.

Inspired by blog

After reading my blog about selling hair extensions in Kenya, she got inspired to launch her own cosmetic shop.

Research the competition before you beat them

Her first step was to do research on the market, what is the current offering from other stores and shops. This is a smart way to discover how she can be unique. After all, there are many girls selling hair, but you only want them to buy from you and not the other girls. So make sure, like Mbaire is doing, to perform your research on the competition.

Select a couple of competitors, and prepare a grid like included in the all-in-one hair extensions package. Not only check on the kind of hair they are selling, but also the way they market the hair, the location and many more items.

If you list, as the grid enables you 3 or more stores, you will be able to spot what are the opportunities for you. What are the needs from the clients the competition is not acting upon. Is their shipping time very long, think on how you can do better. Do they fail to give good after sales, beat them by investing in your client relations and keep your customers happy and loyal.

Keep an eye on the competition

You would be surprised how many stores forget to check their competitors. If you believe you know what your customers need, but forget to check what the market already is offering. Big chance you will start selling hair but end up losing money.

So Mbaire started the right way, research the market and make the steps only as big as your wallet or time schedule can handle.

Mbaire will start selling without ending up losing money

I look forward to continue the chat with Mbaire about her business. If she invests in the all-in-one Hair Extensions Package she will even have hair samples and many, many documents and templates. This will help her to start selling without ending up losing money. And if she does not want to open a store after all her research I recommend her to start a blog or write a book. I love the style she writes.

If you have questions, leave a comment below and I will answer them.