If you’re a beauty guru, starting a boutique dedicated to your craft might be your life goal. From quality skincare to nail polish to ethical makeup products, there are a variety of products you can carry. As you consider your business options, look to these five key tips.

1. Have a Business Plan

A well-thought-out business plan is essential. According to INC. Magazine, there are over 400 million entrepreneurs globally, and many will not find success. A well-thought-out plan can mean the difference between success and failure. Skipping this step is not an option if you want to build a successful boutique.

Planning requires you to research the current market before you open your doors. Knowing what the competition offers and other factors about the market is important. A plan also helps you to plan how you will finance the business. It is an important step in the process of opening a beauty business.

2. Decide On Offered Services

What is your value proposition? A value proposition is the services you will offer and why those services differ from those offered by other businesses. Decide which services you will offer at your beauty boutique and what added value they will bring clients. This is how you will build your client base.

About 27% of Europeans suffer from skin allergies. A similar number holds in the United States, too, so you could still offer allergy-aware services to get the attention of people who suffer from skin allergies. In other words, find your niche service and/or product line.

Image source: Photo by Atikah Akhtar

3. Identify Your Brand

Brand identity is important in marketing and growing your business. Brand identity is a multi-layered activity. It includes things like your logo and signage as well as the colors that you choose for your boutique. Building your brand identity is part of creating a successful business.

Choose a memorable name, logo, and visual identity that resonates with your target audience and sets your boutique apart from competitors. Consistently apply your brand across all touchpoints, including signage, packaging, marketing materials, and online presence. Create a brand culture by implementing rules for employees and how they respond to your client base.

4. Curate Customer Care Plan Services

How will you handle customer complaints? You need to have clear guidelines outlining your refund policy and how customer complaints will be addressed. Every new business owner likes to think that their services are so good that customers will not complain. Unfortunately, they do, and you need a plan in place for how you will manage those complaints.

Providing the best customer care is essential for your business. That means working with people who are not happy with your services. Think about how you will handle an unsatisfied customer. Keep in mind that online reviews are often read by potential clients.

5. Stay Abreast of Trends

Join professional organizations in the beauty industry to stay on top of new trends, products, and services. If you own a beauty boutique, you must become an authority in the beauty field. Sharing information with clients will increase their trust in you and your services.

For example, according to the Skin Cancer Association, about 20% of the population will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. That can be valuable information to share, but you would not know it if you were not part of a professional organization in the skincare industry. Professional organization membership can lead to training opportunities and more. It is a good idea to become a member of an industry organization.

Starting your own beauty boutique business is exciting. However, you must pre-plan and work to ensure everything comes together beautifully. Good luck!