Store selling only cruelty free products

[bluebird45]

Hi. I am thinking of opening a small store selling only cruelty free products. Mainly beauty products; makeup,skincare and beauty supplies. But I would also have some cleaning products and some animal rights stuff like shirts, stickers, etc. It would be a place where you can go in and know that all brands are certified cruelty free and most would be all natural and organic. I know some stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have some of this stuff but I would have a large selection of beauty products that you would have to go to many websites to find. I know there are websites like this, but I can't seem to find many brick & mortar stores. I live in a major city in the US but I don't know how well this would go over. Any advice?

[Thirsty Johann]

It all depends on where you open it. What city do you live in? You'd have better luck in some areas than others - I'm not American, but I understand Portland and New York are very veg-friendly areas.

[Blue Plastic Straw]

You might consider dropping an email to Chad and Emiko who run Food Fight! in Portland, OR. Their main focus is vegan snacks, but they also carry some Health and Beauty and household items. They can likely give you an idea of what it is like to start a brick and mortar vegan business from scratch.

[Mskedi]

I think it all depends on which major city you're in and what neighborhood you open it up in within that city. If you could be near where other alternative shops are, you'd probably be much better off.

Good luck. :)

[bluebird45]

Hi. I live in Las Vegas. I was thinking that Iaside from local advertising, I would advertise in the tourist magazines, since we get probably a million tourist or more a year. I would probably lean more in calling it "earth & animal friendly" than "vegan" because people may think that they have to be vegan to shop there. I'm scared because I would be using my life savings and more in loans. That's why I am looking for some feedback. Thanks.

[Amy SF]

Hi bluebird:

Check this out.

http://www.veganmart.com/about/

It's a store in San Francisco called "Otsu" which sells only vegan products and does not buy from suppliers who use leather. You might consider this place a model for what you would like to do in Las Vegas. I read about Otsu in a recent issue of VegNews magazine and was hoping to stop in and look around (and shop!). My sister and I were in SF last month; unfortunately we didn't get a chance to check out this place in person.

I just wanted you to know about this place. :)

Oh, and maybe Mikie or somebody else on VB who lives in or has been to SF can tell you more about what Otsu is like. :think:

[bluebird45]

Thank you Amy & Blue Plastic Straw for your referrals. I will contact them for some advice. :rockon:

[*Star*Lass*]

http://www.veganmart.com/about/

It's a store in San Francisco called "Otsu" which sells only vegan products and does not buy from suppliers who use leather.

Looks like a really cool shop! Wish there was somewhere like this where i live.

[CharityAJO]

There's a shop near me that sells only Fair Trade goods, (clothing, books, candles & kitsch, purses and other accessories). I think they're doing pretty good business, despite the exorbitant price tags. People these days seem to be looking for ways to engage positive consumerism.

[Acadia]

I don't really have any advice to add; just wanted to say good luck with this. I hope you're successful. :up:

[ltlghiagrl]

In Satya magazine there's an ad for "Integral Yoga Natural Foods" in NYC that sells "products based on the yogic principles of purity, non-violence and balanced living" - it sounds AWESOME. No website listed . . .

Good luck to you!!!!

[bluebird45]

Thanks everyone for your advice and support. I am really excited about this. I've been contacting vendors and have an appointment with the local business development office to see about getting a business plan together to get more funding.