Please help kick start my hair business
This Sunday I received a kind message from Louisa from South Africa.
” Hi sir my name is Louisa from south Africa. I want to sell raw virgin hair and establish my business, I am low in funds and o dont understand how customs work, what will I pay for shipment. How legal is it to import hair. I want to buy from Vietnam. And why are prices are in usd? It makes hair expensive please help I am lost. Thank u for this platform. “.
The message from Louisa contains several questions, let me answer them one by one. But first, it is good to read somebody has the ideas and passion to start selling hair and has a focus on the type of hair. Louisa wants to establish a business to sell Raw Virgin Hair. That Focus will help in finding your clients, to broadcast the right marketing message and to learn from the competitors. So, good start Louisa.
I am low in funds
The first hurdle is the lack of sufficient funds. That is never helping when you want to grow your business fast. But it is also a great opportunity to grow a stable business. To be low in funds is not a reason not to start your business. To sell, you need an audience. Use every little bit of news, insight, or original image you got to grow your followers on your social media. Social media is free of charge to start, and it is a great way to connect with people. If you manage to purchase a bundle of hair, or wig. Make many images of the hair piece using different angles. And tell a story about the hair. Not just publish an image but make a video and tell a story.
Sell, the hair, and with the profit try to buy two pieces, believe me even with small funds you can start a hair business.
do not understand how customs work
The customs have the duty to protect the domestic trade of South Africa. In theory every parcel that enters the country should be checked if the value mentioned is in line with the true value if the content is allowed in South Africa. You can imagine this is a huge job, because we ship more and more around the globe. Even with the pandemic, what has reduced the trade between countries significantly.
There are also some exemptions, a sample shipment is most often free from import duties, or a gift. When the customs accept the shipment to be a sample, you do not pay any import duties.
Or you must be lucky the customs did not check your shipment.
Be aware, even if you have received several shipments without import duties, the next shipment can be subject t duties and you pay the relevant import duties. Try to put some money aside to build up a reserve for when this happens.
what will I pay for shipment
The payment for shipment depends on the company you use. If you buy from a big Chinese market place the shipment will be low. If you have an individual seller, without a large shipment platform, the charges might be higher. Always add to your questions to the hair vendor the shipment charges before you sell!
How legal is it to import hair
100% legal. There is nothing wrong in importing hair. It is a normal trade, and many large companies are involved, like Darling hair.
why are prices are in usd?
The USD is still the most important international currency in the world. This makes hair vendors to price in dollars. Indeed, the problem can be the rate between the Rand and the dollar changes over time. This can make your purchases more expensive, or cheaper. When you calculate the selling price, use a higher dollar rate. Create some reserve so a higher exchange rate is not reducing your profit margin right away.
Go start selling raw hair in South Africa
I hope you are not lost and ready to start selling raw hair in South Africa, I look forward to seeing your business growth!
‘ This post is sponsored by Unique Beauty Luxe by sharing the image of a raw hair wig.’
