Making hair bows is a fun hobby, but some people turn this craft into a business. Since bows are meant for children and young adults, there will always be a demand for hair bows. Aside from a talent for making quality bows, you need to do a bit of planning to have a successful business.

Decide which type of hair bows you want to market and sell. You can sell hair bows for babies, young girls, for cheerleaders and spirit squads.

Choose where you want to sell your hair bows. Options include opening an online store; selling them on an online auction or marketplace, such as Ebay or Etsy; renting a mall booth or kiosk; getting a booth at a local craft show; selling them at a flea market.

Make a name for your business that is unique and descriptive. For example, a name such as “Cheerleader Bows” is generic, but “Spirited Bows” is a better choice that still reflects the fact that you sell hair bows for cheerleaders.

Get a tax ID number, if required, through your Secretary of State's website so that you can collect taxes from customers who buy bows in your state. You will also need an assumed name certificate, also known as a DBA (doing business as) license--get this through your county clerk's office.

Buy the materials to make the hair bows from your local craft or hobby supply store or internet wholesale suppliers such as Fire Mountain Gems or Factory Direct Craft Supply. You will need plain metal bar hair clips, spools of ribbon of different widths and colors, scissors, glue sticks, and a hot glue gun. You can also offer customers the option to embellish their bows with rhinestones or small decals.

Develop packaging for your hair bow business, including your shipping materials, shopping bags (if you sell your bows at a physical location), and hang tags. You should include your business logo or name on the packaging, as well as your retail receipts and wholesale invoices.

Take photos of your hair bows. This is optional if you have a physical location to sell them, but still useful for making brochures and business cards. If you're selling them online, taking photos is essential, and they will need to be crisp and clear.

Price your hair bows. Your prices should include the cost of materials and labor in order for you to make a good profit. Wholesale prices should be half of what you charge retail customers.

Decide whether you want to sell your bows wholesale. If you do, your wholesale customers will likely be children's boutiques--contact the ones in your area, and send them photos of your bows, a price sheet, and your wholesale terms. They will let you know if they want to set up a wholesale account with you.

Things You Will Need

  • $200 to $800

  • Tax ID number

  • Assumed name certificate

  • Selling location

  • Logo

  • Ribbon

  • Hot glue gun

  • Glue sticks

  • Metal clips

  • Hang tags

  • Packaging

Tip

This business will cost between $200 and $800 to start, and financing through a bank is not a realistic possibility. Alternatively, you can fund your venture with credit cards, savings, or by borrowing from family and friends.