Last Updated on 07/22/2025 by Eva Liu
You want to start business in hair extensions, but you wonder where to begin. First, focus on what customers want in the market. Choose your products with care and build trust with suppliers. Create a plan for your business and set up strong branding. Make sure you register your business and pick the best way to start a hair business. To help you succeed, experts suggest you:
Build strong supplier relationships for quality stock.
Create a brand that connects with people.
Use a website and online tools to reach more buyers.
Manage your inventory and explore funding options.
If you follow these steps, you can start a hair business that grows and keeps customers happy.
Start Business Planning
Market Research
You need to know your market before you start business in hair extensions. Look at what people want in your area. Check if there are many salons or shops selling wigs and extensions. Visit local stores and talk to customers. Ask what styles or products they like. You can also look online to see what is trending in the market for wigs and extensions. This step helps you find out if there is room for your new hair extensions business. When you understand the market, you can pick the right products and set fair prices.
Tip: Use social media polls or quick surveys to learn what your future customers want. This makes your research faster and more direct.
Business Plan
A strong business plan helps you start a hair business with confidence. Your plan should cover these key points:
Define your project. Decide where you want to open, how big your business will be, and what services you will offer.
Study the market to make sure your idea fits what people want.
Set up your business model. Plan your costs, how much money you hope to make, and your budget.
Use your plan to get funding, like a bank loan.
Pick the legal status for your business, such as sole owner or LLC.
Register your business and get the right permits.
Find a good space that meets safety rules.
Buy the right equipment for wigs and extensions.
Start your marketing with flyers, social media, and local ads.
Keep your plan simple and clear. This will help you stay on track as you start business and grow.
Target Audience
Knowing your target audience is key when you start a hair business. Think about who will buy your wigs and extensions. Are they young adults, working professionals, or people looking for medical wigs? Each group wants something different. When you know your audience, you can choose the best products and create ads that speak to them. This focus helps your hair extensions business stand out in a busy market.
Hair Extensions Sourcing
Product Selection
When you start a hair extensions business, picking the right products is a big step. You want to offer what people love and use every day. Right now, clip-in extensions are super popular. People like them because they are easy to use, affordable, and you can put them in or take them out in just a few minutes. You do not need glue or heat, so they are gentle on natural hair.
There are two main types of hair products you can choose from:
Natural human hair extensions: These look real, last up to a year, and you can style them just like your own hair.
Synthetic extensions: These come in many colors and cost less, but they only last about three months and do not look as natural.
If you want your business to stand out, offer both types. Some customers want natural hair for a long-lasting look, while others want colorful wigs for a fun change.
Supplier Vetting
You need to trust the people you source hair products from. Good sourcing means checking a few things before you buy. Look at what the hair is made of—natural or synthetic. Check how the extensions attach and how long they last. Read reviews from other buyers and see if the supplier has any awards or certificates.
Here are some things to look for:
Reliability: Pick suppliers who deliver on time and have fair return rules.
Range: Choose suppliers with many types of hair products, lengths, and colors.
Price: Compare prices, but remember that cheap does not always mean good.
Customer Service: You want help when you need it.
Tip: Always ask for samples before you buy a lot. This helps you check the quality yourself.
Wholesale vs Dropshipping
You have two main ways to source hair products for your wigs and extensions business. Wholesale means you buy a lot of stock at once and keep it with you. This way, you control your inventory and can ship orders fast. Dropshipping means you only buy products when a customer orders. The supplier ships the product straight to your customer. This saves you money on storage, but you have less control over shipping times and quality checks.
Think about your budget and how much space you have. If you want to start small, dropshipping is a good choice. If you want to build a brand and keep products ready, wholesale might work better for your hair extensions business.
Legal Steps to Start a Hair Business
When you start a hair extensions business, you must follow some legal steps. These steps help you do things the right way. Let’s look at what you need to do to get started.
Registration & Permits
You have to register your business if you want it to be legal. This can take time, but it keeps you and your customers safe. Here is a simple table that shows what you need to do in France:
Requirement Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Professional Qualification | You need at least a CAP in hairdressing; other diplomas like Brevet Professionnel or Brevet de Maîtrise are also good |
Registration | You must sign up with the Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) |
Insurance | You need to get professional liability insurance |
Legal Status | You can choose auto-entrepreneur, individual enterprise, SARL, or SAS |
Hygiene and Safety Compliance | You must follow hygiene, safety, and local rules |
You need a hairdressing diploma, like a CAP, before you open. You also have to register with the Chamber of Trades and Crafts. Pick the legal status that matches your plan, like auto-entrepreneur or SARL. Always follow hygiene and safety rules. If you work from home or want a salon, check the local rules for your area.
Tip: Talk to your local Chamber of Trades and Crafts before you begin. They can help you with forms and local laws.
Insurance & Compliance
Insurance helps protect your business if something bad happens. The most important insurance is professional civil liability. This helps if a customer gets hurt or if you break something while working. Even if it is not required, it is smart to have this insurance.
Here are some types of insurance you should think about:
Professional civil liability insurance helps if you hurt someone or break something.
Multirisque insurance protects your tools, stock, and shop from fire, water, or theft.
Legal protection insurance helps if you have a problem with a customer or supplier.
Operating liability insurance covers accidents from your products or services.
Pick an insurance company that knows about beauty businesses. They will know what you need and give you the right help.
You must also follow rules for hygiene and safety. Keep your space clean and safe for everyone. Use safe products and label them the right way. Show your prices clearly and follow all ad rules. If you hire people, follow labor laws and keep the workplace safe.
Note: Doing these legal steps keeps your customers safe and helps them trust you.
Funding Options
You need money to start a hair extensions business. You must plan for things like stock, tools, and maybe a car if you travel. Here is a quick table to show what you might spend:
Item | Details |
|---|---|
Business Type | Mobile franchise selling hair extensions, wigs, and hairpieces at fairs and markets |
Investment Components | Tent, accessories, work materials, stock, storage, business cards, website, training |
Required Vehicle | 6 m³ vehicle or trailer with car |
Initial Investment | |
Initial Capital | €16,000 |
Franchise Fee | €1,500 |
There are many ways to get the money you need. You can ask a bank for a loan, but you need a good business plan. Some banks have special loans for new businesses. You can also find investors or partners who want to help you. Sometimes, you can pay for training in small steps to save money at first.
Callout: A strong business plan helps you get money. Show your goals, budget, and how you will earn.
Training in hairdressing and business shows banks and investors you are ready. It proves you know what you are doing. This can help you get the money you need.
When you follow these legal steps, you help your business, your customers, and your future.
Build Hair Extensions Business Brand
Brand Identity
You want your hair extensions business to be noticed. Start by making a brand that feels real and honest. Focus on being true, selling good products, and earning trust. Pick a name that is simple and shows what you do. Use colors and a logo that fit your style. Tell your story and share your values with customers. People like brands that are honest and care about them.
Tip: Show your best hair work with clear pictures. Good reviews help new customers feel safe picking you.
Online Presence
A strong online presence helps your business get bigger. You can reach more people and show what makes your business special. Here are some ways to grow online:
Make your website simple to use. Show prices, services, and contact details clearly.
Share photos and stories about your work.
Post good reviews and customer stories.
Write blog posts and guides to answer questions.
Link your website to your social media pages.
Keep your Google My Business page updated for local searches.
Let customers book appointments online.
When you stay active online, more people will find and trust your business.
Website & Social Media
Your website is like your shop window online. Pick a short, easy-to-remember website name. Use website templates made for hair salons or beauty brands. Add things like online booking, contact forms, and social media links. You can use WordPress for more options or Wix for a quick and easy setup. Wix has drag-and-drop tools, free pictures, and many templates, so you can make a nice site even if you are not good with computers.
Tool Type | Pros | Cons | Price | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
WordPress (CMS) | Flexible, many plugins | Needs updates, some setup | Low-Medium | Medium |
Wix (Builder) | Easy, many templates, fast setup | Less flexible, monthly fee | Medium | Low |
Stay active on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Post pictures, videos, and tips. Work with influencers to reach more people. Reply to comments and reviews to show you care.
Note: A good website and social media help your hair extensions business look professional and bring in more clients.
Marketing & Growth
Marketing Plan
You want your hair extensions business to stand out. Start with a strong marketing plan. Use influencer collaborations to reach new clients. Team up with local beauty shops or florists for joint pop-up events. These pop-up shops help you meet people in your area and show off your products. Try local marketing with flyers, window displays, and ads in wedding magazines. Offer discounts for first-time visitors or birthday coupons. A loyalty program keeps customers coming back. Give rewards after a set number of visits or offer special deals on hair care products. You can also use referral programs. When a customer brings a friend, both get a discount. This makes marketing your hair business more effective and fun.
Customer Service
Great customer service keeps people loyal. Always use high-quality hair, like Remy Hair extensions, for a natural look and comfort. Give advice that fits each customer’s hair type and style. Share tips on how to care for extensions so they last longer. Make sure you offer fast delivery and several payment options. After each visit, ask for feedback and respond to reviews. Personal touches, like remembering birthdays or offering free follow-up consultations, make customers feel special. Satisfied clients often bring in new business, so focus on making every visit memorable.
Inventory Management
Managing your stock well helps you avoid problems. Track which products sell best and keep enough on hand. Use a simple system to check inventory levels. This way, you never run out of popular items. Watch your pricing closely. Price your products competitively to attract more buyers. At the same time, make sure your pricing covers your costs and leaves room for profit. If you sell hair care products, train your team to recommend them. Upselling can boost your revenue by 10-15%. Keep an eye on key numbers like customer attendance rate and gross margin rate. These numbers show if your business is growing.
Expanding Product Range
You can grow your business by adding new products. Try offering advanced extensions that match hair color and texture perfectly. Use new tools, like LED therapy devices or smart styling tools, to give better results. Pop-up events are a great way to test new products and get feedback. Offer seasonal promotions or bundles to keep things fresh. When you expand your range, you attract more customers and stand out from the competition. Always price your products competitively when you launch something new. This helps you win over new clients and keep your regulars excited.
Starting your hair extensions business takes planning, action, and care. Focus on these expert tips to build a strong foundation:
Get all licenses and permits before you open.
Use safe, high-quality tools and products.
Keep your space clean and follow hygiene rules.
Train your team and offer great service every day.
Ready to begin? Start by researching suppliers or drafting your business plan today! 🚀
