I have never been a LulaRoe retailer. I have been in eCommerce since 2012. I have created 4 eCommerce businesses since then. I sold my last eCommerce business in July 2018. My opinions are based on articles such as this story that ran on Bloomberg News, this video by a LuLaRoe retailer and this blog that dissected a LulaRoe investment.
It’s cheaper to start & you’ll actually be in charge!
Getting your initial investment for LuLaRoe can cost anywhere from $5,500 to $7,000— then you’ll still need to get supplies such as hangers, storage, etc. Starting an online boutique can cost around $3,500.
Click here to read more about how much it costs to start an online boutique.
If you are a LuLaRoe retailer you don’t own or control anything. LuLaRoe sets the terms and restrictions on what you must do to stay in good standing.
If you had your own online boutique, you’d be able to make decisions that help YOUR bottom-line.
You can sell while you’re asleep!
Most LuLaRoe selling is done in Facebook groups where the seller hosts virtual pop-up shops. LuLaRoe sellers can also choose to host actual pop-up shops in their homes or the homes of friends and family. Either way, you have to be active (and in some cases aggressive) in the selling process.
When you have your own online boutique, you can create a beautifully designed website that enables you to sell product even when you are not actively pitching the items that you have for sale.
You can choose your merchandise
As a LuLaRoe retailer you have no say in what designs and styles you get when stocking inventory and you are required to buy a minimum of 33 pieces each month. You may get items that the customers in your Facebook group are not attracted to, leaving you will items that you are unable to sell (and thus less/no money for new stock).
If you had your own online boutique, you’d be able to select exactly what styles you want from your wholesale supplier. When you know who your target customer is and what they like, it’s easy for you to choose merchandise that sells well & sells quickly!
Build your own brand instead of someone else’s
As a LuLaRoe seller, you’re already doing the hard work of building a business all without actually being in charge and reaping all the benefits. You have to actively market and you are always on the hunt for new customers. LuLaRoe doesn’t do anything other than provide merchandise that you can’t select.
Why not put that sweat equity into your own business?
Go ahead and build your own brand, if you are a current/former LuLaRoe seller or interest, you are capable.
Building your online boutique business is not that different from the work you are currently doing.
