How To Start A Lash Business

Ready to take your lashing to the next level? Many lash artists are taking the next step in their careers by starting their own lash business. While it’s not the ultimate goal for everyone, owning your own lash brand can be a great way to help guide your career in a more stable direction.

If you’re interested in lash business ownership, keep reading! We’ll get into the very first steps of starting a lash brand, some important legal terms, and how to set yourself up for success. 

The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult with a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your individual circumstances.

How To Start Your Own Lash Business From Home: The Basics

Planning + Research

Before you jump into your lash brand, you should understand the lash market and your own needs as an aspiring business owner. By researching both large and small lash brands, you’ll start to understand what it takes to be successful and profitable in the industry. 

By analyzing your competitors and identifying your target audience, you can start to define your brand. This includes deciding on a lash business name, logo, mission, values, and other integral parts of a brand identity. This definitely takes time, so don’t feel discouraged if you don’t find yourself moving as quickly as you thought — it’s better to do the research now rather than dive in without the proper preparation.

Starting A Lash Business Off Right

Create A Business Plan

So now that you’ve done some research into the lash market and what current customer demands are, you can move ahead to your own brand by creating a business plan. A business plan is a long-term map that outlines the company’s goals, challenges, and strategies, and acts as a foundation for the future of your company. 

While your specific business is unique to you, these plans often have many similarities, including executive summaries, market analyses, products, services, financial plans, and other marketing strategies. 

It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed at this stage! For some extra help, check out the resources from the US Small Business Administration available to small business owners who are looking to create their business plans. 

Choose Your Legal Business Structure

Before you can legally start your lash business, you need to choose a legal business structure. This will affect many aspects of your company, including taxes, paperwork, liability and more. There are multiple structures to choose from, so you should be prepared to do more research and potentially speak with business advisors to make sure you pick your best option.

Here’s a quick summary of the different types of business structures. For more in-depth information, head back over to the US Small Business Administration.

Sole Proprietorship

As the simplest business structure, a sole proprietorship means you and your business are one entity. You are responsible for the debts and obligations of your business and your personal assets are not separate from business assets. This can be a good choice for low-risk businesses, but be prepared to run into challenges getting loans or raising money.

Partnership

If you’re going into business with another individual, a partnership is the easiest way to continue. You and your partner share profits and losses, and can be either limited partnerships or limited liability partnerships. 

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

LLCs separate personal and business assets, so you and your personal assets are safe if your business faces financial difficulties like bankruptcy. LLCs are better for medium-risk businesses or owners who have larger personal assets.

Corporation

A corporation is a legal entity that is completely separate from the owners (called shareholders). There are two types of corporations, C-corp and S-corp. The main difference is that C-corps pay corporate income tax, while S-corps do not.

Selecting A Lash Vendor

Once you’ve figured out your legal requirements, the fun part (in our opinion) can begin! With all the lash vendors out there, you definitely have your work cut out for you. But with a little research, you’ll be able to find your perfect fit. Make sure to consider lash quality, pricing, wholesale discounts, and range of products when going through your options.

Of course, we’d love to be your lash vendor — our 100% vegan, high-quality Korean PBT lashes are always made by hand by our own manufacturers. Plus, we offer wholesale discounts so you can save on big purchases! 

Private vs White Label

Your vendor will likely ask you to decide between private and white labeling their products. Here at PLA, we offer both private and white label options for our customers, depending on their needs. 

A white label PLA product comes in an unlabeled, plain box. This helps keep costs down while still receiving a high-quality product. 

Private labeling, on the other hand, involves branding with your own logo and design. If you’ve already got your branding ready, private labeling is for you! 

Head over to our partnership page for more information!

Marketing Your New Lash Business

You have your business plan, structure, and lash products — now what? 

To truly get your business off the ground, you need to start marketing yourself and your skills. There are countless marketing strategies out there, so we recommend experimenting until you find what works best for you. But to start, you’ll need a strong online presence, easy-to-find booking, and high-quality photos of your work (check out our blog for tips). 

If you’re new to the professional lash industry or just need some extra help elevating your business, our Lash Business Masterclass is for you! Learn everything from customer service to financial planning to digital marketing directly from industry leaders and experts. And it’s available either in-person or online! 

PLA: Your One-Stop Shop For Lash Supplies And Lash Business Tips 

We know that was a lot of information! It can definitely be a lot to take in, but starting your own lash business is a great way for lash artists to create a more solid future for themselves. Take it step by step, and always ask questions if you need help. Good luck, future business owners!