WAHM > Stay at Home Mom Work Ideas > Traditional Product > Herbal Products Business from Home

Start an Herbal Products Business

What you will be doing.  Everyone wants to get healthy.  Herbal product sales are one way to cash in on the growing health consciousness that is going on today.  Herbal sales can include anything and everything from health foods, beauty products, supplements, herbs, and books. 

Since some won’t understand the benefits of herbal products as opposed to others, a lot of time will be spent explaining what your products are and what they can do.  The longer you are in the business, the easier this explanation will get. 

If you have a background in a related area such as massage therapy, physical therapy, or fitness, the business can take on additional components.  Along with the purchase of a massage oil package, you can offer a free thirty minute massage.  Classes on holistic health can be conducted at local colleges or at video “how-to’s” on your website. 

How to start.  A wholesaler is necessary.  You will need to find a reputable product to market and a reputable company that carries it.  When it comes to foodstuffs, make sure that the wholesaler has a high sanitation grade and can be trusted.  If you plan on carrying any edible inventory in your home, check with local agencies to find out what kind of license (if any) you will need to acquire in order to operate. 

The place that you choose in your home to set up the business needs to be clean and temperature controlled.  Expiration dates on products need to be checked on a monthly basis.  Continual rotation of your stock avoids loss of profits through items that have to be thrown away.  An online business negates the need for stock, but your most loyal customers will come from word of mouth initiated by family and friends. 

Starting costs.  Marketing and products combined could bring costs in at around $2,000.  The majority of the money spent depends on the price of the products.  Samples of each product you plan to offer should be purchased for marketing purposes.  Health inspection costs, licensing, along with flyers and ads are necessary to get started. 

Skills needed.  Good people skills are a must.  People are reluctant to try products that they are unfamiliar with without a good sales pitch or demonstration.  Gauging the needs of others will go a long way to making the crucial sale.  Planning ahead for the inevitable “no” answer will spark the imagination and help you think of ways to counter it without being pushy. 

Marketing.  Cold calls will be a reality if you plan to entice shop owners to carry your product.  Do some homework.  Check local stores to make sure that the product you decide to sell isn’t already being sold.  Offering a hard-to-get product will make your business more appealing. 

Know the products that you sell.  The more that you know, the easier it will be to answer the questions that customers and prospective business owners will ask.  If you don’t like the product, they probably won’t either.  When shops agree to stock your products, have them shipped directly from the wholesaler to lessen the cost to you. 

Attend flea markets and farmer’s markets for more local exposure.  Hand out business cards and free samples.  Demonstrate how to apply the products.  There are many marketing strategies you can use here.  Try them all or pick your favorite.  A website with a shopping cart allows customers to order conveniently.   

Products that offer health and vitality are big business.  This could be your market to corner.  Down the road, creating your own product line could become a reality.

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