Do not let the Coronavirus eat your profit!

Feb 1, 2020 | Get Help, Launch Your Web Store, WholeSale Companies

Sales will drop due to Coronavirus regardless the origin of your hair!

There is no more doubt, the Coronavirus will eat the profit of most stores all over the world. The measures to protect the outbreak, the uncertainty and uncontrollable spreading all over the world will slow down the economies and with this your sales too.

Despite the advice from the World Health Organisation, the US and Australia said they would deny entry to all foreign visitors who had recently been in China. Earlier, countries including Russia, Japan, Pakistan and Italy announced similar travel restrictions. The advice from the WHO is to limit the negative economical and health impact of the Coronavirus. But a ban also has a discriminatory impact, people start to avoid people who might be a risk to their health. Even if there is no reason whatsoever. I also think we should in times of crisis help and comfort each other. How difficult this might be because of all the uncertainties.

But all this means on top of lower availability of stock, there is less appetite to buy any new product or good. Less demand for hair and wigs will most probably hit your bottom line this quarter. Less sales and perhaps less profit.

Time for some measures to fight the Coronavirus.

Do not sit still and wait until the virus is gone and we have time to worry about other things. Now it is the best time to react and to fight the virus.

Why will people buy less hair extensions or wigs?

To understand why people will buy less, you must realize economy has everything to do about feeling good. If your client know she will get a salary rise, even before she gets the rise she starts thinking in possibilities. “What if I buy more of this, or what if I redecorate my house, or what if I buy a new wig?” This has helped the healthy economic growth for the last several years. But now this is under pressure due to the Coronavirus. The weird thing is, even if you do not sell hair from Chinese suppliers, or if you are in an area far away from Coronavirus victims, people, will still prefer to keep their hands on the pockets.
If you want to see the proof of this, just check the red figures on the stock markets all over the world. Investors like to buy stock in companies they believe will make more sales and profit in the future. If they expect disappointing sales, they sell the stock and the value will go down.

Also, the CEO’s of major firms like Apple, Starbucks and McDonalds foresee lower growth and reduce operations. This will not only impact the operations in China, but all over the world. Chinese people will travel less and consume less. The Government has placed restrictions on family or group gatherings, while people have less to buy. This again will also influence the import of certain goods.
Overall there is less money to spend, and this will impact the economy all over the world. People will prefer to keep the money in their pocket.

What can you do about it?

As mentioned before, it is important to educate your clients about the risk of the Coronavirus. Or better how limited that risk is, especially for the hair you are selling. This is again an opportunity to show how well experienced you are. So, write a blogpost about the Wuhan Coronavirus in relation to the product you offer. For some background information see my previous blogpost. People are searching the internet for news about the virus, so it will help to be specific and to use the keyword Coronavirus with some terms related to the hair you are selling.

Next to this, see if you can offer some discount coupons. People might hesitate to buy goods they do not see as their first priority. We all know you can fight anything from scary spiders to the Wuhan Coronavirus if only your hair looks gorgeous. A discount might do the trick to seduce your client to still buy the hair. Make sure you put a time limit to the offer, otherwise she will still wait to buy the hair until the virus has been long forgotten.

Organize a hair extensions party with China as your special theme. People will be curious to know more about your hair and about china. The unknown has always been attractive. This way people can talk about their fears and share with each other stories. Make sure you have enough knowledge yourself to answer any question about the Coronavirus or ask somebody with a medical background to support you. You will see, once your guests are feeling relaxed, they will be very fast in the buying mode. And what can they buy? Your beautiful hair!

Leave a comment below to tell me how you are fighting the Coronavirus to keep on selling hair!

Never lose a client anymore thanks to the best Channel Sales Strategy

Jan 30, 2020 | Business Ideas, Launch Your Web Store, Sell Online, WholeSale Companies

Sell Hair Everywhere, thanks to the best Channel Sales Strategy

The right Channel Sales Strategy will help you to sell more hair and beauty products, because your products will always be there where your client is. Thanks to your Ideal Client template, you know where she is looking for information about her hair needs. What a petty if she finds an awesome Facebook posting with your hair, but you do not sell the hair on Facebook! She must switch over to your website. 80% chance you will lose her and thus miss a sales opportunity! That is so painful. But no worry, select the right channel sales strategy and you will never lose a client anymore!

You Know Your Client

When you defined the people on the hair market in need of your hair, there is a good chance you used the ideal client template. This template helps you to describe the client you have the solution for her hair needs. You know her demographics; like age, location and some background stuff as family and job. Or hobbies. The ideal client template will also tell you where your client is looking for information that helps her to find the hair she needs. This can be with her friends, on Facebook, the mall, Instagram or blogs. Everybody has her own preference to search for information.

You already use this insight when posting new arrivals, or a post about the latest trends of hair. You know that you must be where your Ideal Client is. Every time when your client goes online, or when she visits the mall, your tailor made message is waiting for her. By doing so, your hair brand will be automatically connected to the solution she is looking for.

For example, she likes to watch images of celebs with the latest hairstyles. Well, you have some posted on Instagram, because you know she uses Instagram a lot. She wants to read about how to maintain artificial hair. She will find you and your brand mentioned in a blog post, because you know she likes to read blog postings. That makes you the expert she will turn to if she has a question.

If she is on Instagram, sell on Instagram

So far so good, this is nearly as good as the art of the deal. But the next step is to make sure your client can not only find the information she is looking for. You also want to help her to buy your hair regardless where she is. If she likes your Instagram post with a smile, she is ready to buy the hair. You must be sure you have a link or channel that will allow her to buy from you at the place she is. This is called Channel Sales Strategy. A strategy where you make sure your clients can buy hair at the place and time, when they are ready to make a purchase. No risk you’ll miss a sales opportunity anymore.

How to make the Channel Sales Strategy work for your hair brand ?

I recommend you combine the Ideal Client Template and the Shopify Sales Channels option to never lose one single sale anymore. Or better to increase your sales. The ideal client Template is part of the How to Sell Hair Extensions all-in-one hair business package, together with a mentor and a handy guide to set up your business.

Shopify has many options to link various channels. Today you can link your Facebook, Amazon, Pinterest, Instagram and messenger application with Shopify. And of course, your own blog. More options are available thanks to outside developers.

Imagine your client will not only see your brand when she is looking for a hair solution, thanks to the Channel Sales Strategy she can also buy right away.

If you leave a comment below this post, I will mail you, for free the Ideal Client template. This way you can see how the all-in-one hair business package can help you start selling. If you are ready to start selling, I recommend checking for the free trial of Shopify to make your channel strategy work!

Create your own Shopify commerce website with a free 14 day trial today!

B.1.1.529 Coronavirus limits hair available outside China

Jan 27, 2020 | Find Hair, WholeSale Companies

Less Hair from China Due to B.1.1.529 Coronavirus

Last update: Feb 9th, 2020

Over 70 percent of the world hair market is exported by China. Since the outbreak the Coronavirus made many people sick and is responsible for the death of many people worldwide. But the coronavirus B.1.1.529 also has a devastating impact on the availability of goods and the trade of products like cars, spare parts and hair extensions and wigs. The economy of China is hit very badly already, and the rest of the world will feel the impact because of this. Selling hair in 2020 will be more difficult.

Clients prefer to keep the money in their pocket because of the uncertainty, some clients fear to touch goods like hair (wrapped or not) from China or Asia and it will be more difficult to get the hair you ordered from your wholesale supplier to your store. Governments of many western countries have limited the traffic with mainland China.

In times of crisis you can show how will you know how to improvise, how well prepared you are and off course that you are the expert your clients should turn to if they have any question related to hair trends, safety and maintenance. With this post I will give you some background information, tips and links to keep on selling hair, despite the B.1.1.529 Coronavirus crisis.

How can the B.1.1.529 Coronavirus limit how much hair is available?

So, how can a simple virus cause so much stress on the global hair market?

Less workers in hair factories available

To contain the Coronavirus the Chinese government had extended the Chinese New Year’s holiday. It is estimated a 3 billion transfers take place during the New Year’s holiday season, making it the largest human migration. A migration with of course an increased risk for the B.1.1.529 virus to spread all over China. The always joyful period of the Chinese New Year Holiday has now turned into a nightmare for many Chinese families. The weekend of February the 9th the last workers will return to their hometown and start to work on Monday.

The processing of hair is a rather labor-intensive activity. Many tasks are handled by humans and can’t be replaced by machines or robots (yet). Manufacturing of the hair has been already low due to the holiday, but one can expect it will take some time before all factories will be producing at the normal level again. How many workers will show up because many might be sick or too occupied with the impact of the virus on their daily live.

Export of hair and other goods suspended due to the Virus

China has the last decade become the main factory of the world. The fact is today so many goods are produced in China, the global economy depends very much on China. Another effort from the Chinese Government to limit the outbreak of the Coronavirus is to suspend freight movements. Less trains, less ships leave Chines logistical hubs and harbors. This is adding to the limited availability of the goods like hair extensions and wigs outside China.

The consequence is once the factories will start to manufacture hair and similar goods again, they will face difficulties in finding enough ways to transport the hair to their clients. Or the marketplaces like Amazon in the United States or elsewhere.

This shows a solution for one part of the crisis, will not solve the limited availability of hair in the short term. Time for some action to keep on selling hair to your clients.

How to avoid you can not sell due to B.1.1.529 Coronavirus?

Your sales should not decline because of the Coronavirus, there are a couple of measures you can execute.

Always go for two hair suppliers

To have a reliable source of hair, a wholesale supplier delivering a consistent level of quality is gold in this business. You know your client will always get the best hair. This will help to turn them into happy and loyal clients. Good for them and good for your business.

In times like today, with a virus or any other crisis that hits the logistics, this strategy, of having only one supplier, might cause your brand some serious damage.

This crisis shows it helps you to have a second supplier at hand. This will reduce the risk you will have orders but no hair to sell because your supplier has delivery issues. A second supplier also avoid you will have no time to check and test the hair thoroughly as you otherwise would do. If you have no second supplier now make sure you plan to have one.

Invest more in stock

The best thing for your cashflow is to keep your inventories low, money invested in stock is not earning you anything. The downside is, if you run out of stock and clients show interest in the hair you offer. There are not many things more painful I can think of. A client who shows you the money to buy your hair, but you have to say no, because the hair is not in stock.

Increase overtime the minimum level of your inventory. This will freeze some of your money in the stock, but as Chinese Hair might become for a period difficult to order, you can increase the price if needed.

Partner up with the competition

The hair industry is famous for the competition, but we also share a lot. Invest in the relation with your supplier and with other resellers. This will increase your chances to have enough access to hair extensions.
With a good relationship with your supplier, they will give you their preference if they are short on hair. In times like this where there is a scarcity of hair and other beauty related goods, thus can help you to get supplied before the competition.

Also, to partner with other resellers or salons will help. What about you are short on a certain type of hair, but a partnering salon or another reseller still has this texture on stock. You could swap the hair you have with the hair you need from them. This is beneficial for both of you, because the specific needs of the clients might deviate and you both have a larger pool to choose from. Make sure to have a good profit-sharing arrangement in place.

Check the stocks of marketplaces

Sellers of hair on AliExpress or Amazon most often keep their stocks abroad if they use the fulfillment services, this allows for swift delivery when you place an order outside the country of origin. Check the available hair on AmazonliExpress if you need hair now and accept a slightly higher price if that will allow you to keep on selling hair.

Avoid the virus will spread via the packaging or the hair.

PLease, stay safe and take care of yourself, your staff and family. Avoid the virus will spread via the packaging or the hair. Ilness in your company will impact your operation and also the sales.

Learn more about this in Can You Get the Coronavirus via the Packaging or the Hair itself?

The Strength of Diversification

It is key to focus on a niche in the market, but no need to limit your product offering to only one kind of product. It is better to add complementary goods. Goods your ideal clients need too. This can be hair care, or beauty products. They already know you and your brand because of the beautiful hair you have sold them before. To sell them additional goods or services will be less difficult. In times when clients are less interested to buy one of the products you are selling, or if you have less in stock, the other goods will keep you in business.

Make sure you keep selling hair despite the virus

The B.1.1.529 Coronavirus will not put you out of business, nor will it impact the Chinese hair suppliers for a long time. But it does show you in the hair business nasty surprises can happen. They will always be different, but with the right measures you can avoid any crisis, small or big, to impact your hair business.

See What Others Also Read

Can You Get the Coronavirus via the Packaging or the Hair itself?

Do not let the novel coronavirus eat your profit!

You Get Virus After Touching Surface

Hit by the virus, talk more to your clients!

Let me hear in the comments below how you deal with this kind of crisis, or with the B.1.1.529 Coronavirus crisis specifically.

Stop selling hair, the Hair has the Wuhan Virus

Jan 23, 2020 | Get Help

What to answer a client who tells you the hair has the Wuhan Virus?

The Wuhan virus is spreading around the world in a rapid tempo. The Chinese New Year is not helping, as millions of people will travel and potentially spread the Wuhan Virus. We all know China is the number one exporter of Artificial hair, and hair can be synthetic, human or even from animals.

Your clients can easily make a link between the outbreak of the Wuhan Virus and the hair you offer. But is it true, should you stop selling hair because of this coronavirus? A virus very similar to SARS that resulted in more than 8000 cases in 2003.

Are your clients right, there is indeed a risk with buying hair now, or can you convince them to keep on buying hair?

What is the Wuhan Virus?

The Wuhan virus is a so-called coronavirus, like the SARS and MERS viruses. The common symptoms include for example a running nose, headache, cough and fever. The more dangerous kinds of the virus will lead to shortness of breath, chills and body aches.

At this moment it is too soon to know how the virus will evolve. Will it simply going to die out or will it have a serious worldwide impact? It is fully understandable if people, like your clients, have questions about the safety of natural products they buy from that region.

How is the virus transmitted?

The coronaviruses mostly spread through coughing or sneezing of by touching an infected person. But not only by air, but it can also spread if faecal matters encounter another creature’s mouth. In this scenario can serve as a potential viral crossover point. If the hair is not cleansed well enough the virus could be transmitted.

What to tell your clients?

If your client hesitates to purchase the hair, there are several points you can share in the conversation with her.

First, the Wuhan province, the source location of the virus, is not known for the manufacturing of hair extensions.

Secondly, most human hair is imported from abroad and manufactured in China.

Third, the production of hair includes the cleaning, there is a very little chance a client will receive raw uncleansed hair.

Only if clients purchase products like shaving and paint brushes made from animal hair, they must check the origin.

Keep on selling hair

The hair extensions market is famous for the various stories about the origin, production and treatment of the hair. About Indian hair people defend the hair is stolen from the donors. In some regions the production is not very environmentally friendly and uses very aggressive chemicals. And we all know there is no rule book about the use and communication about the grading system.

Luckily you are used to explain to your clients the truth about the hair you are selling. This is part of your marketing plan. So, this new story, about the danger of the Wuhan virus for the hair extensions, is just one more story you must explain. Tell them the truth and tell them it is safe to buy hair. Show them you are the expert and they will keep on returning to you for more hair.

Please leave a comment if your clients ask you about the safety of the hair you are selling.

How a travel ban for Nigeria will impact your hair business

Jan 22, 2020 | Africa, Find Hair, Launch Your Web Store, Nigeria

Increase your inventory due to the Travel ban for Nigerians

Today Donald Trump has announced he will soon be imposing a travel ban for Nigeria and Tanzania. These countries are mentioned on a draft list of the proposed restrictions, also known as the travel ban.

A significant trade for Nigerians living in the USA is to sell hair and other goods in Nigeria. The same goes for people from Tanzania. Much of the hair is taken by plane to Nigeria as luggage and here is where the travel ban of Nigeria will impact the hair business.

What is the travel ban

During his 2016 campaign Donald Trump frequently floated the idea to ban all Muslims to travel to the USA. The first implementation of his travel ban sparked an uproar, with massive protests and chaos at airports where passengers were detained. The ban was also called the Muslim ban.

The current travel ban suspends immigrant and non-immigrant visas to applicants from: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela and North Korea.

There are two executive orders and two presidential proclamations about the travel ban. The implementation of this ban is not without legal discussions. The bans originally aimed mostly countries in the middle east, but now a travel ban for Nigeria and Tanzania is on the table.

All-In-One Hair Business Package for More Sales and More Happy Clients

How sure it is the travel ban of Nigeria will be law

To anticipate if you must adapt the flow of the hair from the USA to Nigeria, you should follow the news rather close. The US government has already informed the countries subject to this extended travel ban. The idea is the countries involved should be in the position to adapt their own travel regulations.

This aims at measures like improved:

border security,
sharing of identification information among nations and
travel document security.

President Donald Trump told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he’s doing it to protect the United States.

“We’re adding a couple of countries (including Nigeria and Tanzania) to it,” he said. “We have to be safe. Our country must be safe. You see what’s going on in the world. Our country must be safe. So, we have a very strong travel ban and we’ll be adding a few countries to it.”

Depending on how successful the Nigerian government can proof the progress in the steps mentioned above, they can avoid a travel ban for Nigerians.

How to avoid a travel ban will impact your hair business in Nigeria?

To keep your clients happy, you must be able to keep the time to delivery as short as possible. A travel ban will increase the time for traveling. You might need to go through more lengthy procedures, or perhaps even are not allowed to travel for a certain period.

Consider alternative logistics, increase the stock starting now, or purchase the hair in other countries.
We will keep you informed if the travel ban for Nigeria will become a rule that will limit traveling and how to deal with this. If you already have any question, please leave a comment below.

Focus on the wig with a Hairdressing Training Mannequin

Jan 21, 2020 | Sell Online

Keep your hands free with a Hairdressing Training Mannequin

You want to sell hair and wigs, then you should owe your own hairdressing training mannequin. Keep your hands free when you maintain the wigs, instead of squeezing the foam head between your knees all the time. Focus on the wig you are going to create, or to maintain instead of losing energy and joy when keeping the foam head stable. The small investment in your own hairdressing training mannequin surely pays off.

But not every training mannequin for hair dressing will do the job. Some are to small to hold a canvass head, or have an inferior quality. To avoid you get disappointed after you bought a Hairdressing Training Mannequin, find guidance for you and some suggestions.

5 things to consider when you purchase a hairdressing training mannequin

How tall is the mannequin?

It is important to know how tall the training mannequin is. You can go for a table model or a model that will be standing. Make sure you do not have to bend over too much, this will cause pain in your back over time.

Does the head come with it, or not?

Always check the product description if the head is included or not. The reason a head is not included is because there are different types of heads to fix the wig on. For example, foam heads or canvas heads. The use of the head depends on your preference. In most cases any head will fit. But be sure to check if the head has a whole in it. This whole should allow the head to be fixed stable on the tripod.

Will it keep a canvas head?

For the power users a canvas head is recommended. This head allows heavy wig duty. But the weight is more compared to a foam head. Convince yourself or ask the seller if the Hairdressing Training Mannequin is stable enough to hold a canvas head.

Can you rotate the Hairdressing Training Mannequin?

If you keep the head between your legs it is easy to rotate, but this is not the best solution. Most training mannequins allow you to rotate the head, so you can keep your hands free and work in the position that you feel most comfortable with.

Do you need other parts?

Except for the head, the mannequin should be complete, you should not have to purchase other material. But that does not go for the wig making. The material needed to make a wig, like pins or lace is never included.

Based upon ease of use and recommendations I suggest you check on Amazon or AliExpress for the Hairdressing Training Mannequin. Below you will find two of the most popular mannequins.

<a href="http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_sTOsZ5" target="_parent"><img src="//ae01.alicdn.com/kf/He1ee3254c8e0427c89cfa967255227423/High-Quality-Aluminum-Alloy-font-b-Mannequin-b-font-Training-font-b-Head-b-font-Tripod.jpg_220x220.jpg"/><span style="display:block;">AliExpress.com Product - High Quality Aluminum Alloy Mannequin Training Head Tripod Mannequin Head Holder Training Head Stand Clamp Mannequin Head Tripod</span></a>

Wheres my refund will fund your hair business in Atlanta

Jan 8, 2020 | USA

Wheres my refund

Keep an eye on the wheres my refund page of the IRS to know when you will receive the refund on your bank account. Avoid you consume the refund instead of investing in the start of your hair business in Atlanta.

Cash is very important to start and grown your hair business. It’s the beginning of the year and use the time before you get the refund well. Before you check the wheres my refund page of the government, make sure you have done all the preparation needed to start your business.

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Find your hair clients in Atlanta

It all starts to find people with hair needs, this can be women or men. Avoid thinking you know what others need, or you have the best solution in town. Go outside first, visit the salon and get the finest hair style one can get. Talk with the lady sitting next to you and ask her about hair and extensions. Get in the mood and collect some insight in the hair needs and challenges. Do not forget to involve the hairdresser also in the conversation. She or he can tell you about the hair experiences of many of their customers. Listen well en make sure you find a place to note all this info.

Next you visit the mall and start the conversation again with the women you see and who could be your future client. Women with a bad hair day, or women with high interest in your hair style. Use the eye contact to start the conversation and let them tell you about their experience, needs and problems with hair.

Do not forget to get the contact details from all these nice ladies, and the men you speak. You must be able to contact them as soon as you are in business! They can become your first client.

Start Selling Now, with Hair Samples

Visit Your Competitors in Atlanta

Do only visit the wheres my refund page after you have also visited the competition in Atlanta. Who else is selling hair, there are plenty of online or brick and mortar stores? If it is a rainy day, browse the internet and search for “hair extensions Atlanta”, or “weaves and braids Atlanta”. Check the online stores and write down your observations. Make a distinguish between the marketing and the products. If the sun is shining, you can also drop by some stores in the mall or street.

Marketing of hair stores in Atlanta

Marketing is everything that has the purpose to bring the product, the hair extensions, weaves or bundle deal under the attention of the customer. She should not only be able to see the hair you are selling; the conditions should also be in line with her expectations. Is the price right, what about the package, what is the story behind the hair? Who else is buying this hair?

Remember, you are not selling a bundle of hair, you are selling an experience. The marketing is a vital part of selling the experience.

How does the competition market the hair? What do you like or what would you do different based upon the feedback you received from the housewives of Atlanta?

What if you make a nice story about your survey and share this with the people who helped you to understand the hair needs in Atlanta? This will make sure the contact between you and them stays warm.

Hair Extensions offered in Atlanta

Okay, finally we will take a deep dive into the hair. Check the quality of the hair, or by yourself or by reading the reviews on the social media or yelp. See if you can test the hair. Every time again, take into mind the needs the ladies from Atlanta told you about. Where they disappointed in the hair and why. Will this hair have the same frustration, or will it be the perfect fit for your ideal client?

Now check wheres my refund

Now you know and understand the needs of your ideal clients, the people you are going to solve all the hair needs for. You know how to market the hair and to tell the experience and you know what kind of hair you must buy. You are ready to start selling hair in Atlanta. Time to check the wheres my refund page of the government. When will you get your refund? This will allow you to invest in the hair your ideal client is waiting for.

Now you can also contact them again and congratulate them with the tax refund they possible received or will receive soon. Point them to the wheres my refund page of the IRS and share with them a nice offer if they want to buy from you with their tax money!

You can also open an online store to showcase the products you are going to offer. Your ideal client has the money on her bank account now and you want to be sure she thinks of your hair first!

Small Business Ideas in Nairobi

Jan 5, 2020 | Kenya

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Small Business Ideas in Nairobi

On the internet you can find many sites with Small Business Ideas. The list of possibilities seems to be endless, the more ideas the better seems to be the slogan.

Looking for business ideas in Nairobi, you do not need a long list with ideas from Uber driver to catering service. Most options you can skip, because you would not feel comfortable or you have no education in that area.

There are some small business ideas in Nairobi where the most important skill is to be able to collaborate with others.

Small Hair Care Business Ideas in Nairobi

Okay, from me you would not expect business opportunities outside the scope of hair care and beauty. But that is also because the hair and beauty industry have the best potential for success thanks to collaboration. Join forces with others in Nairobi and use the energy to beat the competition.

Are you ready to read about my idea for you to start a hair business even if you have no experience in selling hair?

Visit The Hub Karen and talk hair

You can decide to launch your own hair store in Nairobi. Visit The Hub Karen, Dagoretti Rd, Nairobi City, putting your senses to the test. Chat with the other visitors of the Extreme Styling Studio on the first floor of The Hub Karen. Discover their hair needs and especially what they feel they lack buying hair extensions.

Great to hear all their needs, but how to turn this into a business? How can you turn all these ideas and problems into a great business selling hair?

Do you want to earn your money by selling hair?

Yes!

Team up!

You have the capacity to listen. You have the courage to start a conversation with anybody at the mall or in the salon. You do not only know how to start a chat about hair, you also know how to listen. In times where everybody wants to have the final saying and hardly anybody is willing to let the other speak, that skill is gold!

You know what the market wants and needs, but again you have not, yet, enough training or education to turn those problems into a business venture.

But what if you use your skill to start a chat and to listen to others to start the conversation about small Business Ideas? For example with a hair stylist or Salon owner in Nairobi?

The two of you can combine forces to work in co-creation the best hair solutions for women in Kenya. Create a business with two owners, you and the stylist or salon owner. You are the voice of the clients and hair lovers and you know to explain to the stylist the challenges they face. The stylist or salon owner can work out the requirements and turn it into a new hair product.

Start Your business in Nairobi

Where are you waiting for? Let me know with whom you are going to join forces to start your own hair business in Nairobi! Or get our all-in-one hair package, with all you need to start step by step your own hair business.

Small Business Ideas in Nairobi

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Cash Flow Forecasting will help you selling hair in Atlanta

Jan 5, 2020 | Get Help, Launch Your Web Store, Make Your Business Grow, Prepare for the Launch, USA

Cash Flow Forecasting will help you beating the competition in Atlanta

Cash is the blood if you want to keep selling hair in Atlanta. You can only survive the saturated hair market of the capital of Georgia if you keep control of the cash flow. If you master the art of Cash Flow Forecasting, you will outpace the competition. And get their clients as a reward!

So, time for a dull but business lifesaving post about financials. I will make it as less as dull as possible, because I want you to keep on selling hair in Atlanta!

Sorry my Queen, but Cash is King

Even if you name your business “Queen Virgin Remy”; cash is King. Cash is the most important financial driver to keep your business selling hair in Atlanta. A cash flow forecast will help you to pay the bills in time.

First, we need to agree on what Cash means. Cash is not the profit you make selling hair.
Cash is the money in:

your pocket,
on the bank account or
saving account

you can use to pay bills or to use for household expenditures.

Profit is when you sell hair above the cost price of the hair and after you deduct all expenses. Expenses like:

the rent of your store on Edgewood Ave, Atlanta,
the shipping expenses
the invoice of the accountant and

off course the depreciation of the inventory.

You can make a lot of profit by selling hair, but if your clients pay later or you invest all the money you receive in new inventory to show in your store, you have no cash. You will have no money to pay bills. You might need a loan. So, profit is nice, but cash is better.

Looking to build a successful online business? Get a free comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about running a dropshipping business.

The art of Cash Flow Forecasting for a hair store

If you do not have a crystal ball, you need to make some assumptions about what the future will bring. You will notice over time your assumptions will improve. The forecast you make about what the cash will come in and what will leave for your hair business will be more accurate.

Please understand it is all about learning, nobody will ever know exactly how much money she will receive in 25 days’ time. But more important is you start with thinking about the cash you need in the future.

When I was still at the university, there was a boy whose father died, and he left him a business. Of course, very sad news, but rather soon the boy had a fantastic cabriolet. Everybody was jealous. But as he used the cash flow of the business to pay for the car, it was a matter of a couple of months before he ran out of cash. Now he had to walk again to the campus instead of driving.

Take your time to learn how to enhance your forecasting skills and do not give up when you miss the forecast and receive less or spend more money. The only thing you shouldn’t do is to give up forecasting your cash flow.

Tricks to forecast

Let’s start with the reason you started this hair business in Atlanta. You want to sell hair. Based upon the market survey, your ideal client profile and your talks with potential clients at Cumberland Mall you have an idea what people want and approx. when they will buy the hair.

If you sell hair on credit of work with a layaway plan, you must minus the money when you sell on credit form your cash flow. The money you receive because of the layaway plan you can add.

But you can only sell hair when you buy hair first. So, you need to consider the time it will take you between the purchase of hair, assuming you must pay right away, and the average days it takes before you sell hair. The days the hair is on the selves, you do not have cash to pay bills. But you have beautiful hair to attract customers.

Now it also pays of if you have a good wholesale supplier, or more accurate, a good relationship with your hair supplier. If you manage to get some credit on the hair you buy you can free up cash. See if you can agree on the payment of half of the stock when you order and the other half a couple of weeks after you received the hair.

You can even accept a higher price for the hair, if you can sell more hair in the time you have the hair on credit.

Again, this all depends on the relation with your hair supplier, thus take this in consideration when you select the hair supplier.

Hair Cash Flow Forecasting Model

For hair businesses I developed a spreadsheet with a sales forecast and a cash flow forecasting model. These models, together with you learning to understand the cash flow of the business better over time will help you to keep on selling hair in Atlanta.

Top 40 Questions to Ask a Hair Vendor Not to Get Bad Hair

40 Questions to Cross Exam Your Hair Vendor

Buying hair wholesale is always stressful. Especially when the hair vendor is located far away. What if it’s a scam? What if you receive poor quality or no hair after transferring money?

Are you familiar with this feeling? You have been searching to find the best hair for your clients and you try to contact the hair vendor. That is not easy because they are living in a different time zone, and you have your job or kids to take care of (or both). You are not always in the position to call. You manage to contact your vendor short before picking up the kids from school. His English isn’t very good, and you need to go. You think of questions to ask and get some answers. You order hair samples, but as you hang up and get in your car, doubts arise. Did you ask the right questions? And did you understand enough of what he said to place the order? You thought buying hair would be more fun! This does not feel right.

What questions should you ask the hair vendor abroad, to be sure you will get the best hair? How to avoid all this stress?

To get the best price and quality for the hair you need and not to forget anything, I composed a list with 40 + questions you can ask your hair vendor. Bookmark this post to have the list at hand when you call your vendor.

Prepare yourself before you call the vendor

You need to know the questions to ask hair a vendor before you contact them. The first impression is always the best. The same goes with your hair vendor or supplier. But what should you ask? I’ve compiled a list of questions to ask a hair vendor that will help you decide whether to buy their hair and how to negotiate better terms. You can use these questions to ask the companies on your hair vendor list.

Help of hair vendor

With the help from Lydia, who runs a Chinese hair business, I composed the top 40 Questions to ask a hair vendor before buying hair extensions. This will aid your search in finding a reputable hair vendor. A hair vendor can make or break your business. This list will help you to find the best vendor and start selling in time so you will not miss a business opportunity.

The list of Questions to Ask a Hair Vendor

1. What kind of hair does your company sell and what is it specialized in?

2. How long has the company been in business?

The year of incorporation is a good indicator how successful a hair business is. See the years of incorporation of 20+ hair stores.

3. What sets you apart from other companies?

4. Are you also selling on a marketplace like Amazon or AliExpress?

Read what stores also sell on Amazon, Alibaba, or AliExpress. For the products sold on a marketplace they need to follow the guidelines of the marketplace.

5. Can I have a video or Skype tour to see your facility or products?

6. What is the density of your frontals and closures?

7. Do the bundles and closures match in color?

8. Are there Synthetic Fibers In your hair?

See how the hair vendors describe the quality of the human hair.

9. Is the hair processed and if so, how?

10. Is the hair cuticle aligned?

11. Virgin or raw hair?

12. How are wefts constructed?

13. Have you had any issues with lice?

14. What is the true origin of the hair?

Your hair vendor might source the hair in multiple countries. Not the country of the factory but the origin of the hair is an important factor. See where most vendors source their hair.

15. How do you go about removing nits?

16. How is the length of the hair measured (true in length or not?)

17. Can the hair be colored, bleached or dyed?

18. Is the hair heat resistant?

19. How long will the hair last with proper maintenance & care?

20. What are the maintenance guidelines for this type of hair extension?

Wooden Hair extension Hanger with double side anti-slip strip & portable Protection case

21. Is there a silicone coat applied?

22. What is the process to ensure high quality and how do you maintain high quality?

23. What is your return policy?

Errors happen, your client can regret her order, or you receive the wrong hair. The return policy of the hair vendor is a good indication how they will support the growth of your hair business. See the different return policies of 20 wholesale suppliers.

24. Is there a restocking fee if there was a manufacturing issue?

25. How do you handle complaints?

26. What are the shipping conditions, in time to deliver, holiday seasons and expenses?

27. What is the minimum order quantity?

28. Is the weight of the hair excluding packaging?

29. Do you allow sample orders?

30. Do you accept PayPal?

31. Do you have any promotions on holidays, such as Black Friday or Christmas?

32. Do you change your pricelist often?

33. What about export and import duties, who is paying?

34. Is the shipment insured and who pays the insurance fee?

35. Do you offer discounts to regular customers?

36. Is the wholesale price negotiable?

37. Do you manufacture tags, bundle bags, or shipping boxes?

38. Can they arrange private labelling for you, so you can sell using your own brand name?

39. Can I get images of the products for promotional purposes?

When you start selling you might have not enough images to show to your ideal clients. See what wholesalers allow you to place hair pictures on your online store.

40. What is the business advice you have for me selling hair?

Mastering the Art of Inquiring: Questions to Ask a Hair Vendor

In the realm of hair selling, knowledge is power. The more informed you are about your suppliers, the better decisions you can make for your business. However, striking a balance between a thorough inquiry and building a good relationship with your hair vendor is key. After all, you don’t want your supplier to feel like they’re under a cross-examination. Therefor in this blog post, we’ll delve into the realm of effective questions to ask a hair vendor, helping you navigate through the hair market with confidence and ease.

Selecting Your Queries: Quality over Quantity

While it’s tempting to bombard your hair vendor with a plethora of questions, remember that quality trumps quantity. The most relevant inquiries often yield comprehensive answers that address multiple concerns. Instead of overwhelming your supplier, focus on the most pertinent questions. Sometimes, all it takes is a few well-formulated queries to paint a clear picture.

Covering All Bases in the First Conversation

When initiating a dialogue with a potential supplier, addressing certain crucial aspects upfront can save you time and energy. Start by delving into inquiries about hair type, origin, and quality. Understanding these foundational elements will help you determine whether the supplier aligns with your business goals. If they remain promising on your shortlist, delve deeper into questions related to shipping and pricing.

Exploring Alibaba Hair Vendors: Wholesale Opportunities

During your vendor search, you’ll likely encounter a diverse pool of suppliers, including Alibaba hair vendors. These independent sellers utilize the Alibaba platform to offer hair products such as wigs and extensions. Alibaba primarily caters to wholesale hair, meaning these vendors are equipped to meet the demands of resellers. While Alibaba hair vendors may offer more attractive prices, it’s important to note that they often have a higher minimum order quantity (MOQ).

Navigating ALIEXPRESS: Tailoring to Individuals

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The alternative Chinese marketplace, AliExpress, caters more to private individuals seeking hair products for personal use. While it’s not a guarantee that you’ll find the best hair vendors on Alibaba, the quality of hair products on both platforms can be comparable. However, the nature of transactions differs between the two platforms, warranting a strategic approach to vendor selection.

Precision in Formulating Questions

Whether you’re engaging with suppliers on AliExpress or Alibaba, clear communication is paramount. Ensure you understand the expectations of the hair vendor before posing your questions. When interacting with an Alibaba hair vendor, providing a concise explanation of your intention (buying hair for resale) is essential to receiving relevant responses. This clarity will prevent misalignment in vendor recommendations.

Unveiling Insights on AliExpress: A User-Friendly Approach

Asking questions on AliExpress is a straightforward process. Clicking the “Contact” button on any page allows you to initiate a conversation with the hair vendor. Be mindful of potential delays due to time zone differences and public holidays. If responses are delayed, consider exploring other vendors or utilizing the platform’s dispute resolution system.

Embarking on Dropshipping: A New Avenue

For those venturing into dropshipping, exploring Shopify’s Oberlo can connect you with dropshipping hair companies and AliExpress hair vendors. As dropshipping gains popularity, align your queries with the provided list of questions. Additionally, inquire about the vendor’s dropshipping experience, shipping procedures, confidentiality measures, and branding possibilities. Ensuring your customers receive their orders seamlessly is crucial for your business’s reputation.

Balancing the Quest for Free Samples

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While the idea of receiving free hair extensions samples with free shipping may sound enticing, it’s important to approach this notion thoughtfully. Prioritize building strong relationships with your vendors over seeking freebies. Establishing rapport can lead to opportunities for sample orders and valuable business insights.

Local Hair Vendors: A Viable Solution

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In the wake of the pandemic, sourcing local hair vendors has gained significance. Seeking hair vendors in your proximity—be it Houston or Atlanta—can offer advantages during inventory shortages. Having a nearby vendor enables you to swiftly fulfill client orders, ensuring customer satisfaction even at slightly reduced profit margins.

Support and Assistance

Conversations with vendors abroad, especially when English isn’t their native language, can pose challenges. Learning and adapting with each interaction is essential. If you find yourself in need of guidance, don’t hesitate to seek support. I’m here to assist you, whether it’s coaching, advice, or support. Together, we’ll identify the best hair solutions for your ideal clientele.

Concluding Thoughts: A Harmonious Approach

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As you embark on your hair selling journey, remember that trust and rapport are vital components of supplier relationships. While it’s important to gather relevant information through your questions, striking a balance between thorough inquiry and fostering a positive connection is key. So, do not cross-examine your supplier; instead, engage in open and informed conversations to cultivate successful business partnerships. If you ever need assistance or guidance, know that I’m here to help you navigate this dynamic landscape and achieve your business goals.

I have to thank Lydia for the ideas and help with finding the right questions!

Lydia

Founder, MyChineseHairExtensions

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Order direct your wholesale human hair extensions from How To Sell Hair Extensions and do not lose time or money to sell hair to your clients. Practice what you preach, also points at How To Sell Hair Extensions. So we did not only listen to you, we also offer you the...

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Question: I purchased your eBook on, “How to Sell Hair Extensions.” I was hoping to find suppliers. In the back of the book you said email if you need suppliers. Please send any reputable suppliers we may consider establishing a relationship with. Thank you very much...

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You want to find the best reliable supplier for your clients and hair business, so you are looking for wholesale hair extensions manufacturers. To help you in this selection process we share with you our findings.
The company we found under the search term wholesale hair extensions manufacturers was Reign Hair Factory Limited.