How Do I Start My Own Hair Extension Business? A Complete Guide for Beginners & Beauty Entrepreneurs

Have you ever looked at your favorite hair extension brand on Instagram and thought, “I could do this… I want my own hair brand!”
If so, you’re not alone.

The hair extension industry is booming — and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. Women love extensions. Salons rely on them. Influencers wear them daily. The demand is massive, and the profit margins are some of the highest in the beauty industry.

The best part?
You don’t need a salon, a warehouse, or even a huge budget to start. You can launch your very own hair extension brand from home — and turn it into a full-time business if you’re committed.

This guide breaks everything down in a simple, conversational, stylist-friendly way. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to launch a successful hair extension business, avoid common mistakes, attract customers, and work with suppliers professionally.

Let’s dive in.

1. First Things First: Choose Your Business Model

Before you order hair or design a logo, you need to know what type of hair business you want to run. There are three main models — and all of them can be successful.

A. Sell Hair Extensions Online (No Salon Needed)

This is the most popular path for new entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a beauty lover, or someone wanting extra income, this option is flexible, low-cost, and scalable.

You sell:

• Bundles

• Wigs

• Tape-ins

• Clip-ins

• Butterfly wefts

• Closures & frontals

• Raw hair collections

People order from your website, you ship from home or use dropshipping, and your business grows from there.

Pros

 Low startup cost
 Work from anywhere
 You can start with one product
 Easy to scale

Cons

 You must learn marketing
 Customer service matters a lot

B. Become a Hair Extension Stylist / Installation Specialist

If you’re already a hairstylist, adding extensions is one of the fastest ways to increase your income.

Extensions are high-ticket services.

Example income potential:

• 1 install = $250–$700

• Hair + install = $500–$1,200

• One client = a full day’s income

And clients come back every 6–8 weeks for maintenance.

Pros

 Extremely profitable
 Easy to build repeat clientele
 You can sell hair + install it

Cons

 Requires training
 Requires hands-on skill

C. Hybrid Model (The Most Profitable!)

This is where the magic happens.

You:

• Sell hair

• Install hair

• Keep every dollar in-house

This is how most million-dollar hair brands grow — because clients trust their stylist more than a random website.

2. Decide What Hair Extensions You Want to Sell

The biggest mistake beginners make?
Trying to sell EVERYTHING at once.

Start simple. Start with products that move fast.

Best Sellers in 2025:

• Butterfly Wefts (a new favorite among stylists)

• Tape-in extensions

• Clip-ins for beginners

• Machine wefts for sew-ins

• Raw Indian or Cambodian bundles

• HD lace wigs (always in demand)

Why Butterfly Wefts Are Trending

Butterfly wefts are thin, flexible, comfortable, and customizable — they install like a dream and blend with natural hair effortlessly. Clients love them because they feel weightless. Stylists love them because they don’t unravel when cut.

If you want to stand out, offering butterfly wefts is a great way to attract salons and pro stylists.

3. Find a Reliable Hair Supplier (The Most Important Step!)

The quality of your hair can make or break your business.

If your hair:

• tangles

• sheds

• smells processed

• doesn’t last

…your brand reputation will take a hit immediately.

A good supplier should offer:
 Consistent quality
 100% human hair
 Fast shipping
 Private label options
 Wholesale pricing
 Clear communication
 A variety of extension methods

This is why many new hair brands and salons partner with Cooviphair.
They source premium extensions — especially butterfly wefts — and provide:

• Factory-direct pricing

• Custom branding options

• Fast, reliable delivery

• 100% human hair

• Training support if you need it

When your supplier is trustworthy, your whole business becomes easier.

4. Build Your Brand Identity (This Is Where You Stand Out)

Branding is what separates a small side hustle from an actual business.

People buy hair from brands they trust — and branding builds trust.

Branding Essentials:

• Business name

• Logo

• Color palette

• Website theme

• Packaging (hair bags, silk bags, boxes, labels)

• Social media identity

• Brand voice (luxury, glam, natural, soft, etc.)

What Makes a Good Hair Brand?

A great brand feels like an experience.
It’s not just hair — it’s beauty, confidence, transformation.

Think about how you want customers to feel the moment they open your package.

5. Register Your Business

This step is optional at first, but recommended once you start making consistent sales.

You may want to:

• Register an LLC

• Apply for an EIN / Tax ID

• Open a business bank account

• Get a reseller license

• Trademark your brand name

These steps help you:
Protect yourself legally
Look more professional
Partner with vendors easily

Most hair entrepreneurs start selling first, then register once they see momentum.

6. Set Up Your Store (Online or Local)

You need a place where customers can browse and purchase.

Online Store Options:

• Shopify (best for serious brands)

• Wix (beginner-friendly)

• WooCommerce (WordPress users)

• Etsy (good for clip-ins + beginners)

• TikTok Shop (massive traffic)

Local Selling Options:

• In your salon

• At home (pickup orders)

• Vendor events

• Pop-up shops

• Instagram & Facebook marketplace

Whichever method you choose, your store should include:

• Clear product photos

• Texture & length options

• HD lace examples

• True-to-color hair pictures

• Customer reviews

• FAQ page

• Return/refund policy

Quality photos matter. They’re often the difference between someone buying or scrolling away.

7. Inventory vs. Dropshipping: Which Should You Choose?

This choice depends on your budget.

A. Buying Inventory Upfront

You purchase hair in bulk, store it, and ship orders yourself.

Pros:

Higher profit margins
Faster shipping
You control quality
Perfect for salons and stylists

Cons:

Costs more upfront
Requires storage space

Most established brands go this route because it’s more professional and profitable long-term.

B. Dropshipping

Your supplier ships directly to customers.

Pros:

 Very low startup cost
 No storage needed
 Fast and easy to begin

Cons:

 Lower profit margins
 Less control over shipping times

If you want a low-risk start, dropshipping with a supplier like Cooviphair is smart.

8. Learn the Hair Business Foundations

Hair extensions are profitable, but you need to understand the business side.

Here’s what you must learn:

Pricing Strategy

You need to know how much profit to add.
Example:
If a bundle costs you $45 wholesale, you might sell it for $120–$200 retail.

Customer Service

Hair customers expect fast answers.
Respond with:
Professional tone
Clear product details
Realistic expectations

Shipping Skills

Learn how to:

• Print shipping labels

• Offer tracking

• Package hair correctly

Inventory Management

Stay updated on:

• Best-sellers

• Lengths that sell fastest

• Colors that move quickly

Basic Extensions Knowledge

Even if you’re not a stylist, you must know the basics so customers trust you.

9. Learn How to Market Your Hair Brand

This is the part that scares people — but it shouldn’t. Marketing is just storytelling.

Where to Market Your Hair Business:

• TikTok (most powerful platform in 2025)

• Instagram Reels

• Facebook Groups

• Pinterest (great for extensions)

• YouTube Shorts

• Snapchat Spotlight

Content That Sells:

• Before & after transformations

• Wig installs

• “What I ordered vs. What I got”

• Behind the brand

• Packing orders

• Hair quality tests

• Client transformations

• Tutorials

You don’t need a perfect camera. You just need consistency.

10. Build Customer Loyalty (The Secret to Long-Term Success)

The real money comes from repeat customers — not new ones.

Here’s how to keep clients coming back:

Offer bundle deals
Give loyalty discounts
Provide silk bags
Send care instructions
Reply quickly
Keep your packaging cute
Stay active on social media

One customer who buys from you 5 times is more valuable than 10 people who only buy once.

11. Offer More Than Hair — Offer an Experience

This is how you stand out from other sellers.

Create an aesthetic that matches your brand:

• Soft feminine beauty

• Bold glam

• Luxury salon vibes

• Clean minimalist style

• Goddess energy

• Transformational confidence

People buy hair extensions because they want to feel BEAUTIFUL.
Speak directly to that emotion.

12. Expand Your Hair Business Over Time

Once your business is stable, you can grow by adding:

• Butterly Wefts Collection

• Raw Indian Collection

• HD Lace Wigs

• Curly Extensions

• Color Extensions

• Clip-ins for beginners

• Hair care products (serums, brushes, bonnets)

• Stylist training classes

• Wholesale hair supply for other sellers

The beauty industry is unlimited — there’s always room to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much money do I need to start a hair extension business?

• Dropshipping: $200–$500

• Inventory business: $1,000–$3,000

• Salon-based business: $3,000–$7,000

2. Do I need a license to start selling hair?

Not at the beginning. Most sellers start informally and register later once profits roll in.

3. Do I need to be a hairstylist?

Absolutely not. Many successful hair brands are run by people who have never touched a client’s head.

4. How do I find a good supplier?

Look for:
100% human hair
Transparency
Consistent quality
Good communication
Wholesale discounts
Fast shipping
Real reviews

Cooviphair is known for providing high-quality, salon-grade hair with excellent customer support.

5. What’s the most profitable hair extension type?

Right now:

• Butterfly wefts

• HD lace wigs

• Tape-in extensions

• Raw bundles

These items sell FAST and offer high margins.

Conclusion: You CAN Build a Successful Hair Extension Business

Starting a hair extension business isn’t about luck — it’s about preparation, consistency, and choosing the right supplier.

With:
A great brand
Quality hair
Good customer service
Consistent marketing
Strong social media presence

…you can build a business that brings in real income and grows every single year.

If you’re ready to make your dream hair brand come to life…

Cooviphair is here to help you start, grow, and scale your hair extension business.

Whether you need wholesale hair, butterfly wefts, wigs, tape-ins, or private-label branding — they’ve got you covered.

Your dream hair business starts today.
Let’s build it.