Essential oils have exploded in popularity in recent years as more people discover their health, beauty, and home benefits. Starting an essential oil business allows you to share your passion for these natural products while working for yourself.
Starting an essential oil business isn’t just about knowing your lavender from your eucalyptus. It’s about understanding the market, navigating legal guidelines, and setting yourself up for success in a competitive industry. This guide is here to help you with the key steps you need to take to launch your own essential oil company.
Business Overview
An essential oil business involves procuring, producing, or sourcing essential oils and essential oil products to sell to consumers, retailers, or wholesalers. Most essential oil companies sell products like pure essential oils, essential oil blends, diffusers, roll-ons, and more. Some essential oil businesses also offer educational resources and classes on using essential oils.
Success in this field requires a deep understanding of the oils themselves, such as their benefits, risks, and appropriate uses, as well as business skills like marketing, customer service, and inventory management.
Related Business Ideas
Candles
Lip Gloss
Makeup
Massage Therapy
Microblading
Nail Salon
Soap
Supplements
See the full library of business ideas >>
Industry Summary
The essential oil industry includes companies that produce and sell essential oils, as well as related products like diffusers and other accessories. The essential oils industry is highly fragmented, with many players in the market, such as Symrise, MANE, and Young Living Essential Oils. There are also many independent distributors who sell essential oils for companies like doTERRA and Young Living. The market is highly competitive, but there is room for new players. To succeed, you need to offer high-quality products at competitive prices, as well as exceptional customer service.
In 2023, the essential oil industry continues to evolve. One notable trend is the growing demand for locally sourced and sustainably produced essential oils. Additionally, consumers are becoming more educated about the uses of essential oils in their homes and bodies, leading to increased market potential. The right branding and marketing plan can set your product apart from others, making it necessary to stay updated with industry trends and adapt your strategies accordingly.
Steps To Start An Essential Oil Business
Step 1: Market Research
Starting an essential oil business is exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking, right? You’re not alone. Many people are captivated by the world of essential oils but are unsure if turning that interest into a business is a wise move. To answer the burning question, “Is starting an essential oil business a good idea?” we need to do some market research.
Before you jump in, let’s get a grip on the market size and growth potential. Data on essential oil sales, growth trends, and forecasts can give you a bird’s-eye view of the industry. The essential oil market has been experiencing growth, mainly because people are becoming more health-conscious. They are used not only for personal wellness but also in food and beverages, skincare, and aromatherapy. This broad usage signals a promising market opportunity.
Knowing who will buy your product is as important as the product itself. The essential oil market has various customer segments, from young living enthusiasts to wellness-focused baby boomers and spa professionals. You need to pinpoint your target audience, understand their needs, and figure out how to reach them effectively.
No matter how good your oils are, you’re not alone in this market; it’s a field with established brands that offer a range of products, pricing options, and distribution channels. Studying your competitors gives you a clearer idea of what you’re up against. So, how will your business stand out? Maybe you’ll focus on rare, ethically sourced oils, or perhaps you’ll create custom blends catering to specific wellness needs. Your unique selling proposition is what will draw customers to your business instead of another.
Step 2: Write a Business Plan
The next step to cover is writing a business plan. While this is sometimes thought of as optional, one of the most crucial roles a business plan plays is serving as a reality check. It’s one thing to have an exciting idea and another to prove it will work on paper.
When you start laying out aspects like your marketing strategy, supply chain, and financial projections, the realities of your business come into sharp focus. You can identify gaps in your plan, challenges you hadn’t considered, and areas where you might need to adjust your expectations or gather more data. The business plan helps you transition from dreaming about your essential oil business to actively planning for it.
The beauty of figuring out your business’s feasibility in the planning stage is that you’re still in a position to make adjustments, or even change course entirely, without the stakes being too high. Making tweaks to your business model now is much less costly than realizing your business isn’t feasible after you’ve already invested time and money.
Related: How to write a business plan
Step 3: Source Funding
Once you’ve done your market research and crafted the business plan, the next step in launching your essential oil business is securing funding.
The first task (which should have been done in the business plan) is determining how much capital you need to start your business. This involves calculating all potential costs, including initial inventory purchase, packaging materials, marketing expenses, website development, business registration, and insurance. It’s also a good idea to factor in ongoing costs such as rent, utilities, salaries, and raw materials for at least the first few months of operation. Having a clear understanding of your financial needs can help you set realistic funding goals.
Once you know your capital needs, it’s time to explore your funding options. Common funding sources include:
- Personal savings: An essential oil business can be very inexpensive to start, and many entrepreneurs tap into their personal savings. This can be an appealing option as it doesn’t involve paying interest or giving up equity in your business.
- Loans: Financial institutions can provide loans, but they’ll expect you to have a solid business plan and likely some form of collateral.
- Friends and family: This is another option for funding. Just be sure to put all terms down on paper so there are no misunderstandings.
- Microloans: If your funding needs are modest or if a traditional loan isn’t within reach, microloans could be the answer. These are smaller loans offered by economic development organizations. Some organizations offering microloans also provide business training, which can be a bonus for a fledgling entrepreneur.
Step 4: Register the Business
Starting an essential oil business involves several legal considerations. From choosing a business structure to understanding FDA guidelines, each decision could affect your business in the long run. Rules can differ from state to state, so research is key.
Business structure: The first step in registering your business is choosing the right structure. The four main types of structures are sole proprietorship, general partnership, corporation, and Limited Liability Company (LLC).
- Sole proprietorship: Simple to start and is the lowest cost. You are the business, which means you’re legally responsible for the business.
- General partnership: This involves two or more people sharing the profits, losses, and management of a business. Like sole proprietorship, it doesn’t offer liability protection.
- Corporation: This structure provides liability protection but is more complex to set up and involves additional costs and administrative requirements.
- Limited Liability Company (LLC): Offers liability protection similar to a corporation but with potential tax benefits and ease of operation of a sole proprietorship or partnership.
Related: Comparison of business structures
Forming an LLC sounds complicated and expensive, but using an entity formation service guides you through the process so you know it was done right.
Some popular LLC formation services include:
IncFile - $0 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!
ZenBusiness - Best for beginners. $0 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!
Northwest - Best privacy protection. $39 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!
Business name registration: After registering the business structure, you may need to register your business name. This process will vary depending on what business structure you pick. Sole proprietors and partnerships will often be required to register a “Doing Business As” (DBA), while corporations and LLCs register with the state during the formation process.
During this time, it’s also a good idea to check if the name you want is available as a web domain, even if you’re not ready to set up a website yet.
Related: Finding a domain name for your business
Industry regulations: Essential oils have a range of applications, from health and wellness to aromatherapy, and essential oils claiming any health benefit must comply with Federal Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.
If an essential oil product is considered a drug by the FDA, the labeling has to follow very specific rules. For example, you’ll need an alternative ingredients list order and special handling for blended ingredients.
Labeling: The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) is a law administered by the Federal Trade Commission that governs how essential oils should be labeled. Your labels must include the product’s identity, like “100% Pure Lavender Oil,” to help customers know what they’re buying, the net quantity of fluid, and business name and location.
Obtain business licenses and permits: Depending on your location, there will likely be a variety of general licenses or permits that any business needs before opening. This could include a local business license, seller’s permit, and Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Related: State guides for general business licensing
Step 5: Set Up Operations
Starting an essential oil business comes with taking on several steps, and the next phase is setting up the operations for your business.
First up, you’ll need to find your raw materials. Look for high-quality sources of the plants and herbs you’ll be distilling or extracting. If you’re going organic, make sure your suppliers can provide all the needed paperwork to back up those claims. Poor-quality raw materials can result in subpar oils, and that’s a quick way to lose customers.
Once you’ve sourced your raw materials, setting up your manufacturing process is the next step. This involves purchasing the right equipment, such as distillation and extraction machines, which are essential for producing essential oils. You’ll also need to ensure you have a clean and sterile environment to work in. This not only helps maintain the quality of your oils but also ensures you’re complying with health and safety regulations.
Finally, you’ll need to decide on your shipping and distribution strategy. This involves deciding whether to handle fulfillment in-house or outsource it to a third party. While in-house fulfillment gives you more control, outsourcing can save you time and resources.
Step 6: Prepare to Launch!
After you’ve laid the groundwork for your essential oil business, there are still a few final steps to complete before you can officially open your doors. Every business will have different needs, but here are some of the more common ones:
Business insurance: Protecting your assets and your business is important. Business insurance can cover anything from product liability to property damage. Make sure you understand the types of risks your essential oil business could face and get the appropriate coverage.
Setting up bookkeeping: Keep your finances in check by setting up a bookkeeping system. This helps track your income, expenses, and overall financial health.
Opening a business bank account: A separate business bank account is important for keeping your personal and business finances separate, which can simplify bookkeeping and tax preparation.
Accepting credit cards: Make it easy for your customers to purchase your oils by accepting credit cards. This could mean getting a POS system that accommodates card transactions or setting up an online payment gateway.
Creating a marketing strategy: You need to let people know your business exists. Build a professional website, create a compelling logo, and consider other marketing strategies like social media ads or email newsletters that are tailored to attract essential oil enthusiasts.
Joining industry associations: Groups like the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA), or the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) offer opportunities for networking and professional development.
Common Questions When Starting An Essential Oil Business
How much does it cost to start an essential oil business?
Starting an essential oil business can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 initially, depending on various factors like location, scale, and equipment. Let’s break down some of the key costs you’ll need to consider.
Business registration: Expect to spend around $100 to $500 for filing your business name and getting the necessary licenses and permits. This range can vary significantly depending on your state.
Location: If you’re operating from home, you skip this cost, but if you’re planning to operate out of a physical location, your initial deposit can range from $1,000 to $5,000. This is a ballpark figure and will depend on the size and location of your space.
Equipment: You’ll need distillation and extraction machines, which can cost upwards of $5,000.
Inventory: Stocking up on raw plant matter and other ingredients could cost around $2,000 to start. Add another $1,000 for other necessary equipment like bottles, labels, and storage units.
Insurance: Initial insurance costs, which include general liability and other relevant policies, could range from $500 to $1,000.
Marketing: For initial marketing efforts, like setting up a website and creating a logo, you’ll need around $500 to $2,000.
How profitable is an essential oils business?
An essential oil business owner can potentially generate a decent profit, but income can vary substantially based on the sales model and scale of the business.
For example, if you’re selling 500 bottles a month at $20 each, your gross revenue would be $10,000.
Next, account for expenses: let’s say raw materials cost you $2,500 (25%), and other overhead like insurance, marketing, merchant fees, etc., sum up to $2,000. Total expenses, then, would be $4,500.
Subtract this from your $10,000 revenue; your estimated net profit would be $5,500 monthly.
Keep in mind, that these are simplified numbers. Real-world variables like seasonal demand, economic fluctuations, and other unpredictable factors can affect these estimates.
What skills are useful when running an essential oils business?
Running an essential oil business, much like any other business, requires a mix of hard and soft skills. Here are some skills that can be particularly valuable:
Knowledge of essential oils: A deep understanding of different types of essential oils, their properties, uses, and benefits is crucial. You should be able to educate your customers about the products you’re selling.
Entrepreneurial skills: As the owner of the business, you’ll need to wear many hats. This includes understanding business operations, financial management, marketing strategies, and strategic planning.
Customer service: Excellent customer service skills are essential for building strong relationships with your customers. This includes listening to their needs, handling complaints effectively, and ensuring they have a positive experience with your business.
Marketing and sales: Being able to promote your products and convince people to buy them is key to your business’s success. This includes digital marketing skills, like social media marketing and email marketing, as well as traditional sales techniques.
Negotiation skills: Negotiation is important when dealing with suppliers or potential business partners. Good negotiation can result in better prices, higher quality products, or more favorable terms.
Problem-solving skills: Running a business often involves facing unexpected challenges. Being able to think critically and solve problems efficiently is a valuable skill.
Time management: As a business owner, you’ll likely have a lot on your plate. Effective time management can help you prioritize tasks and ensure that everything gets done.
Passion and persistence: Finally, having a genuine passion for what you do and the persistence to overcome obstacles can go a long way in making your business successful.
What is the NAICS code for an essential oils business?
The NAICS code for an essential oils business is 311811.
The NAICS code (North American Industry Classification System) is a federal system to classify different types of businesses for the collection and reporting of statistical data.
