How to Start a Women's Shoe Business

Starting a women's shoe business can be very profitable.

It seems that some women consider buying shoes a hobby they would love to turn into a full-time job if given the opportunity. Starting a women's shoe business can involve a good deal of preparation, but can also be very profitable once you are up and running. Once you have a steady stream of eager customers in your store who love the shoes you sell, they will likely be customers for life.

Things You'll Need

• Business plan
• Financing
• Shoe store
• Shoes
• Business cards
• Flyers
• Business license
• Computers and software

Instructions

1. Create a business plan and secure a business license.

2. Choose a location for your women's shoe store. Inside a mall would be ideal since people are already there spending money, but at least try for a location that is visible and easy to reach. You will need room for storage, check outs, displays and shelving for the shoes.

3. Choose a target market to determine what types of shoes you will sell. Will you specialize or sell all types of shoes? Will you sell designer names or shoes everyone can afford? Your location and the traffic around the store will help determine what types of shoes you should sell.

4. Buy the shoes. Look for a reputable wholesaler or ask non-competing shoe stores for advice on where they buy their shoes.

5. Market your business. Hand out flyers and business cards and place ads in the paper. Consider having a grand opening event and invite local press and politicians. Write a press release or have a local paper do a story on you for free advertising.

6. Purchase computer software to track which styles are selling and which are not. This way you can always have more popular items in stock.

Tips & Warnings

• Decide if you want to sell women's shoes online as well as in a store. You will need an online catalogue, ecommerce capabilities and fulfillment house to ship your orders if you choose to sell online.

References

• Start Up Biz Hub: How to Start a Shoe Business

Resources

• Wholesale Central