Are you looking for a new and exciting way to make money? Do you love fashion and spending time in stores? If so, starting your shopper business may be the perfect fit for you! This blog post will outline how to start a personal shopper business and provide some tips on success. So read on to learn more.
What Is A Personal Shopper?Â
A personal shopper is a professional who assists clients in making purchases for their wardrobe, home, or office. Personal shoppers typically have a high level of knowledge about fashion and design. They can help clients select pieces that will flatter their figure and reflect their unique style. Additionally, personal shoppers can provide advice on what pieces to purchase for specific occasions, or they may even be able to help clients plan an entire wardrobe overhaul.
SWOT Analysis of a Personal Shopper Business
Now that you know what a personal shopper is, it’s time to do a SWOT analysis on the business. This will help you understand the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats associated with starting your own personal shopper business.
Strengths:
- You have knowledge and expertise in fashion and design.
- You have access to exclusive stores and designers.
- You can offer personalized services to your clients.
- You can build long-term relationships with clients.
Weaknesses:
- You may need to work long hours or weekends to accommodate your clients’ schedules.
- Your income may be irregular.
- You may need to spend money on marketing and advertising to attract new clients.
Opportunities:
- You can specialize in a certain area of fashion, such as plus-size or petite clothing.
- You can offer your services online or through a mobile app.
- You can partner with local businesses, such as salons and boutiques, to generate leads.
Threats:
- New personal shoppers may enter the market and compete for clients.
- Technology may replace the need for personal shoppers in some cases.
- The economy may fluctuate, affecting your client’s ability to afford your services.
Now that you know the critical elements of starting a personal shopper business let’s discuss some tips for success.
Tips For Success
1. Build a strong portfolio: When you first start, it’s essential to build up a strong portfolio of fashion-savvy looks that you’ve put together for your clients. This will help you attract new business and show potential clients what you can accomplish. You can create a portfolio by taking pictures of your clients or using mannequins to style outfits.
2. Stay up-to-date with trends: To be a successful personal shopper, you need to stay up-to-date with the latest fashion trends. This way, you can help your clients stay on trend and look their best. You can do this by reading fashion magazines, attending fashion shows, or following fashion bloggers on social media.
3. Offer exclusive services: One way to stand out from the competition is to offer exclusive services that other personal shoppers don’t offer. For example, you could specialize in plus-size or petite clothing or offer your services online or through a mobile app. By providing unique services, you’ll be able to attract more clients and charge premium rates.
4. Build relationships with clients: Personal shopping is about building relationships with your clients. The better the relationship, the more likely they will use your services and refer you to their friends. To build relationships with clients, you must be personable, helpful, and trustworthy. You should also make an effort to remember important details about your clients, such as their sizes, preferences, and budget.
5. Offer discounts and promotions: Another way to attract new clients is to offer discounts and promotions. For example, you could offer a discount for first-time clients or give a percentage off if a client refers a friend. By providing these types of deals, you’ll be able to entice new business while still making a profit.
How Do You Get Started In The Business Of Personal Shopping?Â
1. Determine what services you will offer. Personal shoppers can do various tasks, such as helping customers find fit clothes, assembling outfits, or shopping for specific items. Choose the services you are best equipped to offer and that you think will be most appealing to your target market.
2. Create a pricing structure. Most personal shoppers charge by the hour, but some may also charge a percentage of the purchase price. Decide your rates and ensure they align with what other personal shoppers are setting in your area.
3. Establish a business presence. You will need to set up a business entity and obtain any necessary licenses or permits before you can start accepting clients. Choose a business name and register it with the appropriate government agencies.
4. Market your services. Use online directories, classifieds websites, and social media to get the word out about your business. Promote your unique selling points and highlight customer testimonials to help attract new clients.
What Skills Or Traits Do You Need To Be A Successful Personal Shopper?Â
- Excellent customer service skills: As a personal shopper, you will work closely with clients to help them make important purchasing decisions. Therefore, you must have strong customer service skills and can build trusting relationships with your clients.
- Strong fashion knowledge: Personal shoppers need to understand fashion trends, silhouettes deeply, and colors to advise their clients effectively. If you don’t have a lot of formal training in fashion, consider taking some classes or doing some online research to beef up your knowledge.
- Creativity: Personal shoppers must be creative to develop new and innovative ways to style their clients. If you have a good eye for detail and always come up with unique ideas, this trait will help you succeed in this business.
- Organization: As a personal shopper, you often work with multiple clients and keep track of many purchase orders. It is, therefore, vital that you are well-organized and can manage your time effectively.
- Persistence: Shopping for clothing and other items can sometimes be frustrating, especially when working with a budget. Personal shoppers must be persistent in finding the best deals and ensure their clients are happy with their purchases.
- Negotiation skills: When working with clients, personal shoppers often negotiate prices with store salespeople. Strong negotiation skills will help you get the best deals for your clients and ensure they are happy with their purchases.
- Able to establish trust with your clients. Personal shoppers need to be able to build trusting relationships with their clients to be successful. Ensure you always keep your client’s best interests and be honest about what clothing choices will work best for their body type and style.
- Staying up-to-date on fashion trends. As a personal shopper, you must stay up-to-date on the latest fashion trends to advise your clients accordingly. Read fashion magazines, follow style bloggers, and attend fashion shows to make sure you know what’s hot and what’s not.Â
Challenges That You Might Face With Personal Shopper Business
1. Finding clients: One of the biggest challenges you might face as a personal shopper is finding clients. Personal shopping is not yet a widely-recognized profession, so you will need to put some extra effort into marketing your services and getting the word out about what you do.
2. Managing time and budgets: Another challenge you might face is managing your time effectively and staying within your client’s budget. Personal shoppers often have to juggle multiple clients with different needs and budgets, which can be tricky to manage.
3. Keeping up with trends: As a personal shopper, you must always stay up-to-date on the latest fashion trends. This can be a challenge, as fashion trends change frequently and can be hard to keep up with.
4. Dealing with demanding clients: Some clients can be challenging, especially if they are particular about what they want or are not open to trying new things. As a personal shopper, you need to handle these clients gracefully and still provide them with the best possible service.
FAQS About Personal Shoppers Business
How Much Does A Personal Shopper Charge?
Personal shoppers typically charge by the hour, but some may also charge a flat fee or a commission on the items they purchase for their clients. Fees can vary depending on the location, experience of the personal shopper, and other factors.
How Do I Find Clients?
You can find clients as personal shoppers in a few different ways. You can start by marketing your services to friends, family, and acquaintances. Likewise, you can look for job postings or set up a profile on a freelancing platform like Upwork. Once you start working with clients, you can also ask them to refer you to others interested in your services.
