First-time business owner launches online boutique for men

Courtesy Sean Barnhill LinkedIn

Sean Barnhill debuts Gents Glow: A Self-Care Boutique for Men to provide self-care products.

A first-time business owner is exploring his entrepreneurial goals with a men's self-care venture.

Sean Barnhill said he registered Gents Glow: A Self-Care Boutique for Men late last year with the state and debuted the online concept on Jan. 16 at GentsGlowBoutique.com.

"I enjoy self-care," he said, noting he came up with idea for Gents Glow after difficulty finding self-care products for men all in one place. "It's important for men to realize it's OK to take care of yourself."

Barnhill, the sole owner of Gents Glow, works in communications and marketing for the Missouri State University College of Business. He said his online boutique launched with around 35 products, such as bath bombs, body soaps and lotions. The goal is to have 50 products for sale on the site by March, he said, noting his suppliers include Nixa-based Fox and Hound's soy candles and Smithville, Texas-based Mixologie's body washes.

"All of the items I source from other small businesses," Barnhill said. "I want my products to be made by people who pour their heart and their soul into self-care."

Barnhill said he's invested around $3,000 into Gents Glow so far. That investment is slated to increase as more products come online, he said, noting 5% of sales benefit local nonprofit Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.

For the foreseeable future, Barnhill sees Gents Glow remaining an online boutique he operates from his home. Partnerships with brick-and-mortar boutiques are a goal, he said.

Barnhill said he's long had entrepreneurial ambitions and is happy to have a day job so he can reinvest sales into the business.

"You can have a day job and run an e-commerce business, as well," he said. "People are hesitant to start their own businesses because they have a full-time gig. This is doable."