Beauty Product Distribution Business

5 Beauty Product Distribution Business Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 7th, 2024

Ever dreamed of connecting beauty brands with consumers? A beauty product distribution business might be your calling.

In simple terms, it involves sourcing products from beauty brands and distributing them to retailers or even directly to consumers. You’ll act as the vital link between manufacturers and buyers, ensuring beauty products find their way to store shelves and online shops.

Starting this business requires establishing relationships with suppliers, securing storage facilities, and managing logistics. It’s the intricate dance of procurement, warehousing, sales, and delivery. But here's the draw: the beauty industry is booming and it’s a market with consistent demand and high margins.

Entrepreneurs can capitalize on trends and cultivate a niche—be it sustainable beauty, luxury brands, or indie products. If you’re passionate about beauty and logistics, this could be a rewarding venture blending both worlds.

In this list, you'll find real-world beauty product distribution business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a beauty product distribution business that makes money.

1. BLAQ ($7.9M/year)

Ryan Channing discovered the power of activated charcoal during a trip to Japan and quickly turned a viral peel-off charcoal face mask into an $8 million business in its first year. Sharing hilarious videos of friends using the product, BLAQ's success skyrocketed, bolstered by partnerships with major subscription beauty boxes.

How much money it makes: $7.9M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 6

How We Built A $7M Aussie Skincare Empire

The BLAQ Group, an Australian beauty company known for its detoxifying skincare products, was founded in 2016 by Ryan Channing and generated over $8 million in sales in its first year, and now the company is working to expand into brick-and-mortar distribution and partnerships in the US market.

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2. STOCK ($3.6M/year)

Jim Snediker, CEO of Stock Manufacturing Company, pivoted from high-end menswear to B2B uniforms after being approached by a Michelin-star restaurant in 2013. This strategic shift propelled their business to $3.4 million in revenue by 2023.

How much money it makes: $3.6M/year
How many people on the team: 11

How We Built A $3.4M/Year Custom Uniforms Manufacturing Business

Case study on the transformation of a D2C menswear brand into a successful B2B uniform provider for hospitality industry giants, achieving revenue growth from $700k in 2019 to $3.4M in 2023, through strategic collaborations, product expansion, and community-driven initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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3. Dermabeam ($180K/year)

Takashi Yanagi, the founder of Dermabeam, came up with the idea after struggling with severe acne and eczema for years. Through his own healing journey and exploration of light therapy, he discovered the benefits and decided to create comfortable and user-friendly light therapy masks and panels. Since launching in September 2021, the company has generated $125,000 in sales and aims to become the largest light therapy company in the world.

How much money it makes: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
How many people on the team: 1

From Suicidal Thoughts To Building A Light Therapy Startup Making $15K Per Month

Dermabeam's founder Takashi Yanagi went from being suicidal in 2019 to launching his light therapy mask business in 2021 to tackle the $100B skincare industry, achieving $35K in sales in the first year and $90K in the first half of 2022, and aiming to become the largest light therapy company in the world.

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4. Real Drop Enterprises ($24K/year)

Nabiulla came up with the idea for RealDrop Natural Oil when his mom jokingly suggested it during a phone call. With his mom's expertise as a Hair & Skin Technician and his own experience using natural products, they decided to create a line of organic and natural products for hair, skin, and health. They launched their products in top cosmetic outlets in India and have plans for local availability in major cities and even in Chicago, Illinois.

How much money it makes: $24K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250
How many people on the team: 25

How I Created A $2K/Month Natural Oils Brand

RealDrop Natural Oil saw success in educating customers about organic and natural products to improve hair, skin, and overall health, with goals to expand their local reach in India and potentially Chicago, Illinois in the future.

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5. ELLIE Cosmetics ($9K/year)

Dr. KeShawn Haynes, a chemist, came up with the idea for her business, KLH Industries LLC and ELLIE Cosmetics, after realizing her passion for chemistry and a desire to be her own boss. She conducted market research, developed a unique product made with naturally sourced ingredients, and spent years perfecting her formula. After participating in vendor shows and bootstrapping her business, she now focuses on marketing efforts and plans to expand into skincare and fragrances in the future.

How much money it makes: $9K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250
How many people on the team: 2

My Passion For Beauty Led Me To Start A Cosmetics Business

KLH Industries founder Dr. KeShawn Haynes shares her journey of starting up her own makeup brand ELLIE Cosmetics, developing a new product using naturally-sourced ingredients and eventually launching a successful business through bootstrapping and social media marketing.

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