Ever wondered where the real beauty biz potential lies? For French salon founder Catherine Colin, it’s the Chinese mainland – and she’s not the only one betting big here. In a recent chat with CGTN’s Ioana Gomoi, she shared why she thinks the Chinese mainland is the place to be if you’re looking to scale fast, tap into digital-savvy crowds, and ride the latest trends. Here’s the lowdown 🚀
1. A market that moves at warp speed
Earlier in 2025, Catherine noticed that beauty trends here can blow up overnight. Thanks to supercharged social apps (think Douyin meets Instagram), a new hairstyle or skincare hack can go viral in hours. “In Paris, it can take months to pick up steam,” she says. “Here, it’s instant.”
2. Digital-first consumers
If you love scanning QR codes for street food payments, you’ll fit right in. Consumers in the Chinese mainland use apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay to book salon appointments, pay, and even drop ratings—all in a few taps. Catherine calls it a “mobile-first glow-up.” 📱✨
3. E-commerce on steroids
Setting up shop on platforms like Taobao Live or Little Red Book means you can livestream your haircut skills to millions. Catherine’s online tutorials grabbed 200k views within a week, helping her salon fill up for months. It’s like selling your services 24/7, even while you sleep 😴💇♀️.
4. Supportive startup scene
This year, local policies have ramped up efforts to attract foreign entrepreneurs with easier visas and tax perks. Catherine points out co-working spaces tailored for beauty startups, plus local partners who speak the same language of innovation. “You feel backed every step of the way,” she notes.
5. Cultural mashup & community vibes
Life in Beijing has been a creative playground. From tea meets at hutongs to rooftop networking parties, Catherine blends French flair with local tastes. She’s even collaborated with KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) to craft limited-edition hair masks inspired by ginseng and green tea. Talk about East-meets-West goals 🌿🇫🇷.
For Catherine, the choice was clear: compared to the slower pace in Europe, the Chinese mainland offers a dynamic combo of tech, trendsetting fans, and pro-business policies. So if you’re plotting your next big move, take a page from her book and consider setting your sights East—opportunity is knocking louder than ever!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
