5 Vegan Beauty Product Business Success Stories [2024]

Updated: November 19th, 2023
Start A Vegan Beauty Product Business

The vegan beauty product business is an increasingly popular business idea that aims to provide consumers with high-quality, plant-based beauty products free from animal cruelty. These products can range from skincare to haircare and makeup and are often made from natural ingredients such as herbs, fruits, and essential oils.

One of the main benefits of running a vegan beauty product business is the growing demand for ethically-sourced, environmentally-friendly products. Consumers are increasingly aware of their beauty choices’ impact on the planet and are willing to pay a premium for products that align with their values. In addition, the vegan beauty market is predicted to grow in the coming years, making this an ideal time to start a vegan beauty product business.

To run a successful vegan beauty product business, it is essential to ensure that all products are truly vegan and cruelty-free. This means avoiding ingredients such as beeswax, honey, and lanolin and opting for plant-based alternatives. It is also important to source ingredients from sustainable sources and to use eco-friendly packaging whenever possible.

Marketing is also key to the success of a vegan beauty product business. It is essential to target the right audience and communicate the values and benefits of the products. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are great places to share images and information about the products and to engage with potential customers.

In summary, the vegan beauty product business is a great opportunity for startup founders to provide consumers with high-quality, ethical beauty products while positively impacting the planet. By ensuring that products are truly vegan and cruelty-free, sourcing ingredients sustainably, and marketing effectively, founders can build a successful business in this line.

Here are some real life success stories of starting a vegan beauty product business:

1. Mellow Cosmetics ($240K/year)

Ima, the founder of Mellow Cosmetics, started the online beauty store in her garage during her maternity leave. She wanted to create products that would boost women's confidence and enhance their natural features. With no experience in the e-commerce or beauty industry, she followed her inner calling after watching a makeup tutorial on YouTube and has since grown the business from making $0 in the first year to over $400,000 per year in online sales, with distributors and retailers stocking her products as well.

How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 4

article

How This Mom Started A $400K/Year Vegan, Cruelty Free Makeup Business

The Founder of Mellow Cosmetics explains how she grew her company's online sales from $0 to over $400,000 per year, while also expanding her brand's reach through distributors and retailers, with a focus on social proofing and email marketing.

About
Ima started Mellow Cosmetics over 9 years ago
Revenue
Ima grew the business to $20K/month
Costs
It cost Ima $50000 to start the business
Read by 5,166 founders

2. Little Soap Company ($7.2M/year)

How much they make: $7.2M/year
Current team size: 11

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100% natural – The story of The Little Soap Company

This case study is about a founder who started making organic soaps from her kitchen table, which are now sold in major supermarkets and retail stores with four collections, and she has a strong following on LinkedIn with 5.9k followers.

About
They started Little Soap Company about 16 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $600K/month
Read by 636 founders

So... can you actually make money with a vegan beauty product business?

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3. 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 they make: $9K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250
Current team size: 2

article

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.

About
Dr. started ELLIE Cosmetics almost 15 years ago
Revenue
Dr. grew the business to $750/month
Costs
It cost Dr. $250 to start the business
Read by 1,624 founders