Business Story SuccessThe Makeup Man
Another business story success....... To his friends and family he is Jason, or Jay but to his ever growing number of customers he is 'the makeup man'. Like many of the other stall holders at Melbourne's Victoria Markets, Jason sells his wares each week to locals, interstate and overseas buyers. There is nothing surprising or unusual about Jason's product or even Jason himself. What is unusual is that Jason is selling women's makeup....and doing quite well at it too! Jason began at Victoria Markets in 2007. Due to demand from his customers he has recently established a website themakeupman. com to allow customers to purchase products on line. He has become a true business story success and he shares his story here.
Hello Jason. Thank you for agreeing to tell your story. Would you like to start by telling us where we can find you. Hi Karen I currently work at Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne .This is one of the largest markets in Australia and I am there from Thursday to Sunday each week. I also work at the Carribean Gardens market in Scorsby just outside Melbourne every Wednesday.
I also have the makeup man website as you mentioned. I sell many products that are currently in Priceline and other major stores but at 50% off. For example, Revlon Colourstay Foundation, this product is in most stores for $38.95. I currently have it at $21.95. 1. Your makeup man website evolved as a result of customer demand. Your customers wanted to be able to purchase your products online. How have you developed such a large customer base of repeat customers? I only ever purchase products on feedback only. If only 3 to 4 customers tell me they did not like a certain product then I will not buy it again. I have a strong motto that if customers don't like what they buy at the table (shop) then they will not go online to rebuy it when they need more. They also will not come back if they are not happy with anything they purchase. From Market to Market.....2. Victoria Markets was not your first venture into selling at the markets. Can you tell us about your earlier experiences and the products that you sold?
You can achieve anything if you give it your all and don't give up. You hear it a lot but its very true. We dabbled in some jewellery also to go with the jewellery boxes. I was very fortunate to also have access to cosmetics through a friend that was a rep for a major cosmetic company. I started to purchase cosmetics also and this really took off and we eventually stopped making the jewellery boxes as we just could not keep up with demand for the cosmetics. We were getting many calls from customers for foundations and lipsticks that we eventually got the website built.
3. What were the biggest obstacles to setting up your business and was there ever a point where you thought you would give up? The only obstacle was that it is hard to buy the correct cosmetics. A lot of it out there is not very good and it takes a lot of time and money to sort out the good (and popular) to the bad. A lot of the cosmetics in major stores are no good as customers would try it once but would not re-buy it again. I try to only buy what I know customers will come back for. Also the biggest and hardest part was traveling. I used to drive 90 minutes to a market and pass many other markets on the way but location is the most important part and at the end of the day it was worth the 90 minute drive. I also had to really push to get into Victoria Markets. It isn't just a case of apply and they will let you in. There is a strict process which involved going before a panel. I was interviewed and had to take some of my products so that they could see that what I was selling was of good quality.
4. Jason, when you began your business you had no business or retail experience. You began selling a product that most men know absolutely nothing about and you are selling it at market stalls……..of which you had no previous experience either. I have to ask, ‘are you slightly mad’? Most people say I'm a bit crazy. A lot of it though is just plain people skills. I am lucky enough to be able to talk and get on good with almost anyone I talk to. I have had a couple of ladies work for me and the sales were down almost 70% on the 2 separate weeks that they worked for me when I needed to go away. So a lot of it is just confidence and being good at talking. I never try to actually sell my products either, just advise what feedback other customers have given me. I think that also helps. Try to never sound like a salesman,so to speak.
5. What do you enjoy most/least about having your own business? I enjoy the freedom of hours. If I do not want to go into work ,then I don't. I try to go as often as possible though as that's the only way to build up local and loyal customers. As for the least, the stress it can bring by trying to keep enough stock in hand,I seem to be always running low on something.
If you can,than just do it. Dont just talk about it. If it works than your life completely changes. You can start living a lot easier financially and if it does not work out,than you at least had a go and you can always go back to having a normal 9 to 5 job. But at least you will have tried.
Business Story SuccessJason's business story success proves that with determination and passion for your product you will succeed. Don't let a lack of business experience stop you.I have seen first hand how Jason's business success has evolved and how he and his family have enjoyed the benefits of his success. He has succeeded in an industry that he had no previous knowledge about and he has done it through hard work and determination. He has become a business story success!
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