Marcus had been recommending the same pomade for years.

Clients loved it. He made a small commission. Life was fine.

Then one day, the brand discontinued it. And Marcus had nothing to offer.

That's when he started thinking: What if I made my own?

Why barbers are launching product lines

It's not vanity. It's business strategy.

1. You control the supply

When you sell someone else's product, you're dependent on their decisions. Price changes. Formula changes. Discontinuation. You have no say.

Your own product? You decide everything.

2. Higher margins

Retail commissions are typically 10-20%. Your own product? 50-70% margins are realistic.

A $25 pomade that costs you $8 to produce leaves $17 in your pocket.

3. Brand extension

Your product sits in clients' bathrooms. Every morning, they see your name. That's marketing you don't have to pay for.

4. Revenue that doesn't require your time

You can only cut so many heads per day. But product sales? Those scale without you.

The product line playbook

Step 1: Start with ONE product

Don't launch a full line. Pick the single product your clients ask about most.

For most barbershops, that's:

Pomade or styling cream
Beard oil
Aftershave balm

One product. Nail it. Then expand.

Step 2: Find a white-label manufacturer

You don't need a chemistry degree. White-label manufacturers already have formulas. You just customize:

Scent
Texture/hold level
Packaging
Your branding

Search "private label hair products" or "white label pomade manufacturer." Minimum orders often start at 100-500 units.

Cost per unit: typically $3-10 depending on product and quantity.

Step 3: Design your branding

This is where most barbers overthink.

You don't need a $5,000 logo. You need:

A clean label
Your shop name or personal brand
Clear product name and description
Professional-looking packaging

Canva or a freelance designer on Fiverr can get you there for under $200.

Step 4: Price strategically

Look at comparable products in your market.

If similar pomades sell for $22-28, price yours at $25. You're not trying to be the cheapest. You're trying to be yours.

Clients who trust you will pay a small premium for a product you personally endorse.

Step 5: Sell where you have attention

In-shop: Display prominently. Use the product on every client. Mention it naturally: "I'm using my house pomade today—it's what I developed for exactly this hair type."

Online: Simple Shopify or Square store. Link from your Instagram bio and booking page.

Subscriptions: Offer a 3-pack discount for clients who want to stock up.

The numbers on Marcus's pomade

Here's how it played out:

Initial investment:

200 units @ $6 each = $1,200
Label design = $150
Packaging = $200
Total: $1,550

Sales:

Price per jar: $24
Sold 50 in month 1 (mostly to regulars)
Revenue: $1,200

Month 6:

Reordered 500 units @ $4.50 each (volume discount)
Selling 80/month
Monthly revenue: $1,920
Monthly cost: $360
Monthly profit: $1,560

That's an extra $18,000+ per year from a single product.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Launching too many products at once

You're not L'Oréal. Start with one. Prove it works. Then add.

2. Overcomplicating the formula

Clients don't need 47 organic ingredients. They need something that works and smells good.

3. Underpricing

If your product is $10 cheaper than everything else, people assume it's worse. Price with confidence.

4. Not using it on every client

The best sales tactic: use your product during the service. Let them feel it. Then ask: "Want to take one home?"

5. Hiding it behind the counter

If clients can't see it, they can't buy it. Display it. Make it part of the shop's visual identity.

Beyond pomade: what else works

Once your first product succeeds, consider:

Beard oil: High demand, small bottles, great margins
Shampoo/conditioner: Bigger bottles, lower margins, but consistent repurchase
Styling powder: Niche but loyal following
Aftershave: Classic barbershop product
Merchandise: T-shirts, hats, combs with your branding

The credibility factor

Here's the thing about having your own product:

It changes how clients see you.

You're not just a barber anymore. You're a brand. You're someone who cares enough about the craft to develop your own solutions.

That perception? It's worth more than the profit margin.

Start smaller than you think

You don't need investors. You don't need a business plan. You need:

One product idea
One white-label supplier
One simple label
100 units to start

Total investment: $500-1,500.

If it flops, you've learned something. If it works, you've built an asset.

Your name on the shelf

Marcus now has three products. They account for 15% of his shop's revenue.

But more than that—they're his. No brand can discontinue them. No distributor can raise prices on him.

He built something that lasts beyond any single haircut.

You can too.

👉 Vinci 26 helps barbershops run appointments, clients, and growth without marketplace fees or lock-in.

Build something that's truly yours—from the chair to the shelf.

Creating Your Own Product Line: From Idea to Shelf