How to Start a Shoe Flipping Business From Home
Shoes are a hot product to buy and are even considered collectibles by some. From high-end sneakers to flea market finds and anywhere in between, shoes are something we all need. It’s no surprise to learn that many are flocking to learn how to start a shoe flipping business.
There are several reasons someone might want to learn how to flip shoes. Maybe they have a true passion for shoes or maybe they see the potential in income with selling the right shoes. Regardless, learning how to sell shoes online and make money can be a fun side hustle. If you’re really passionate about it, you can even turn this into a full-time business.
The shoe industry is innovative and constantly creating the next best thing. However, that doesn’t mean you always have to buy the hottest shoes to flip for a profit. Learn how you can make money reselling shoes even if they aren’t the most popular shoe on the market.
Not everyone wants or can afford the newest shoes. Marketing yourself to a variety of customers can help make your new business a success.
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What is a Shoe Flipping Business?
A shoe flipping business focuses on the resale of shoes. Whether it’s the shoes in your closet that you don’t need anymore or the newest shoes on the market that you buy and resell to others, there are many ways to start a shoe flipping business.
Shoe flippers understand the value that comes with making shoes clean and presentable on camera. It’s not often a customer comes looking for grimy, dungy shoes to buy. Take the time to clean up and repair any used shoes to look more appealing to customers so that they will buy them.
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Does a Shoe Flipper Require a License?
A shoe flipper is not a profession that requires a license. However, if you are flipping shoes on a regular basis as a side hustle or an actual business, it is recommended that you at least have a business license to do so. This will help you open up a business banking account, which is important for keeping track of any business income and expenses.
Other Shoe Flipper Requirements and Qualifications
A shoe flipper is someone who stays current on trends. There are certain times of the year when a particular shoe will be more popular than others. For example, boots are more popular to sell during the fall and winter months while high heels will be popular for spring and summer. Do your research to stay on top of what the customers are interested in.
Additionally, a shoe flipper is someone who has patience. Your products most likely won’t sell overnight. You need to have faith that the shoes will sell given some time.
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Shoe Flipper Salary or Pay Expectations
There isn’t a specific salary for a shoe flipper. However, according to ZipRecruiter, a reseller earns an annual average of over $95,000 per year in the United States. On the high side, resellers report making as much as $333,000 per year. But on the low end, resellers are reporting as little as $14,000 per year.
This salary will vary greatly depending on the products the reseller is listing and the area in which they are selling. It will also vary depending on your experience and ability to market yourself.
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How to Start a Shoe Flipping Business
Take a look at how you can start your own shoe flipping business. It does require you to put in the work to make it a success, but it is worth it if you are dedicated.
1. Make a Business Plan
The first thing you should do when opening any business is make a business plan. You have to understand the steps you need to take to make the amount of money you desire.
With your business plan, you will need to research the fees associated with your business. Those fees can be related to shipping, using online platforms to sell your items, and any taxes you will need to pay.
Once you have figured out the fees, you’ll then have a better idea of how much you will need to charge to flip shoes online and make money. While a $20 or $30 profit per shoe might not seem too bad, if you are paying fees on that profit, it will eat away at your bottom line.
Related: How to Start Flea Market Flipping
2. Learn From Others
The best way to learn is to observe others. Learn what works for them so that you can also be successful. Two great mentors for learning how to start a shoe flipping business are Rob Stephenson and Beau Hunter. They run their own shoe flipping business and created the Shoe Flipper Workshop.
In the workshop, you will learn if shoe flipping is right for you and how you can start on the right foot with your own business. You will understand where the best places are to find shoes to flip, which brands to look for, and how to increase your sales.
3. Research Popular Shoes
We all know the more popular brands are Nike, Adidas, Chanel, etc. That doesn’t mean customers can always afford to buy those shoes from you. You will need to continually research what the popular shoes are throughout the year.
As mentioned before, the seasons of the year will determine the type of shoe that is popular. However, you will need to dig deeper to find out which brands coincide with the popular shoes.
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4. Build an Inventory
Find the shoes you are going to sell and build an inventory of options before going public with your business. You wouldn’t want to have only one pair of shoes for sale. Together with your research, have a few options that will speak to those who are considering buying from you.
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5. Start Selling
The best step in this guide… start selling! There isn’t anything more exciting than finally launching your business. All the hard work and dedication you’ve put in is finally paying off. You can only go up from here.
Open your shop, advertise you are open for business, and start selling. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family to share your new business with others.
6. Ask for Reviews
Word of mouth and reviews are great ways to boost your credibility as a shoe seller. Ask your customers for reviews about their experiences buying from you and their satisfaction with the products they received. The more reviews you can collect, the better your chances are of making future sales.
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Questions New Shoe Flippers Are Asking
New shoe flippers who are joining the business have questions about the process. Take a look and learn more about the business.
Is shoe flipping illegal?
No, shoe flipping is not illegal. Essentially, you can do what you want with whatever items you purchase. You are buying the shoes from retailers and paying the asking price. The sale is complete and you can do as you wish.
It is common knowledge that if you are purchasing anything from someone other than the brand or authorized shoe store, it is considered “used” or “off-brand” and negates all protections that come from the true brand or store.
Is it hard to make money reselling shoes?
The answer to this question really depends on the seller. If you are willing to dedicate yourself to researching, marketing, and selling shoes, it shouldn’t be hard to do. If you are only partially attentive to this new business or side hustle, you might see it is more challenging to sell. Basically, if you put in the work, you will see rewards.
Don’t give up at the first sign of a challenge. Many new businesses take at least two years to bring in a consistent income.
Where can I sell shoes online?
Learning how to flip shoes is half the battle; the other half is figuring out where you are going to list them for sale. The good news is there are several options. Hopefully you’ve accounted for any app or website fees during the business planning step.
If you still aren’t sure where to sell the shoes, consider starting with Shopify, eBay, or posting on your social media accounts. Try Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to increase your awareness as a shoe seller. Post pictures and videos of the items you have in stock. You can also list items on Facebook Marketplace.
Lastly, there are shoe selling platforms that are specifically for shoes such as GOAT. Consider any fees with the platform beforehand.
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Is sneaker reselling growing?
The resale market, in general, is growing. According to ThredUp, an online resale marketplace, the secondhand market is projected to double in the next five years, which is 11 times faster than retail.
Can I buy shoes in bulk?
You can buy shoes in bulk from wholesalers, but they won’t be name-brand shoes. If you are looking for brands like Nike, the company does not sell in bulk to resellers, only to authorized wholesalers. You will have to do your research on wholesale opportunities for reselling purposes before deciding if this is the route you want to take.
Related: How to Get Free Nike Shoes
Who Should Start a Shoe Flipping Business?
Anyone can learn how to start a shoe flipping business. It takes dedication, time, and perseverance to see it through. This will be the difference between starting a business and having a successful one.
A shoe flipping business is not a get-rich-quick hustle. You have to take it one step at a time and allow time to play in your favor. Consider all the steps in this guide to get yourself started with learning how to flip shoes. As easy as the business might sound to some, it isn’t something you can just throw together quickly and hope for the best.
Start by planning a successful shoe flipping business. Learn from those who’ve gone before you like Rob Stephenson and Beau Hunter. Don’t forget to ask friends and family for help when it comes time to market your business. If you have all the pieces for a successful business, it’s just a matter of time before they all fall into place with your determination guiding them.
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