How to start a beauty startup without investment.

When you’re looking to launch a beauty business, the start-up costs can be daunting. Two avenues are available to you: the traditional route where you handle everything in-house, or partnering with a fulfillment and production service like viaGlamour. In this article, we will evaluate the startup costs of both methods and explore why viaGlamour may just be the game-changer you need.

You can save +60% in product costs by having viaGlamour create, pack, and ship your beauty product orders.

Price
Free trial, then $49/mo
Wholesale
Zero minimum orders
Online website
$1/mo with Shopify

Traditional Fulfillment: A Cost Breakdown

Learn the key differences between an on-demand cosmetics lab and a traditional beauty supplier.

Starting a beauty company is costly if you're investing your cash into equipment, formulas, product manufacturing, storage, and equipment to ship orders. Traditional beauty suppliers want you to purchase large quantities of products with them ... and that's it. viaGlamour helps you market the products and only takes a fee if a product is sold.

  • Let viaGlamour pack and ship all of your orders.
  • Let viaGlamour formulate orders as they roll-in.
  • Use the same UPS, USPS, and ChitChats shipping options.
  • Connect your existing website like Squarespace or Shopify.
  • Have orders ship on a weekly schedule to customers.

1. Buying Products

In the traditional approach, purchasing inventory in bulk is a standard practice. While you might save on unit costs, the initial outlay can be substantial, tying up funds that could be used in other aspects of your business.

2. Storage Costs

Storing inventory requires space. Renting a warehouse or even using part of your home will involve costs, including rent, utilities, and maintenance.

3. Packing Equipment and Materials

You’ll need to invest in packing equipment and materials to ensure your products are shipped securely. This includes boxes, bubble wrap, labels, and tape - expenses that quickly add up.

4. Hiring Employees

Fulfilling and shipping orders daily demands manpower. Hiring employees for this process includes not only wages but also employment benefits and other associated costs.

5. Shipping Costs

You’ll have to negotiate with courier services for shipping rates. Without the volume that larger companies have, you may find these costs higher than expected.

A Revolutionized Approach

viaGlamour solves all of your beauty startup hurdles.

1. Zero Inventory Costs

With viaGlamour, there’s no need to purchase large amounts of products. They produce on-demand, meaning you only pay for what you sell. This drastically reduces your upfront costs.

2. Storage Handled

ViaGlamour acts as your warehouse, eliminating the costs associated with storage space, utilities, and maintenance.

2. Packing Includes

viaGlamour handles the packing, saving you the investment in packing equipment and materials. They ensure that the products are packaged elegantly and securely.

3. No Employees Required

As viaGlamour manages the fulfillment process, there’s no need for you to hire additional staff. This saves you a significant amount in wages and employment benefits.

4. Speed Shipping

viaGlamour boasts of efficient and fast shipping, often shipping orders 2x faster than what could be achieved in-house. This leads to happy customers and fewer complaints.

Try the ordering experience for yourself

When comparing the traditional fulfillment model with viaGlamour’s service, it becomes clear that viaGlamour offers a more cost-effective and efficient solution.

Try samples

The easiest way to start your own cosmetics brand is with viaGlamour. There are zero minimum orders for custom products, you can customize the packaging of all your products, and products are made in Canada with natural ingredients.

Printed photo of bag being tossed into the sky on top of grass.

Design the packaging

Upload a logo and download free photos of how your products will be shipped using your packaging designs. Don't have a design? viaGlamour can create a few free ones for you to pick from.

Printed photo of bag being tossed into the sky on top of grass.

Accept orders online

Accept orders online for your products or purchase them at wholesale prices to get them delivered to your business address. You can work both ways with viaGlamour.

Double stitched black canvas hook loop.

Design your website

We've partnered with most website builders to help you build a beautiful checkout experience for your brand online. You can start a Shopify store (used by Glossier, Kylie, Outdoor Voices) for $1/mo with viaGlamour.

Double stitched black canvas hook loop.

Try a personalized sample with your logo

Upload your design and pick out your samples.
No contracts. Zero minimum orders.

or have viaGlamour setup your store on Shopify

primary company logo

Create your own cosmetics + skincare. Zero minimum orders.

Products are made in Canada and ship worldwide.

Featured app on the Shopify App Store.

Call us at +1 (866) 217-1477

viaGlamour™, a registered trademark. viaGlamour is Canada's first on-demand cosmetics manufacturer, helping entrepeneurs create their own natural makeup line with natural ingredients. Launch your own cosmetics brand with zero minimum orders, international shipping, and custom packaging designs.