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In an age of self-expression through our appearance, tattoo parlors are some of the most sought-after businesses in town. They specialize in creating permanent, custom artwork on a person’s skin, making it possible to turn your wildest imagination into reality. As such, they pose an incredibly lucrative opportunity for potential business owners and artists. Still, like with opening any business, starting your own tattoo place is difficult if you don’t know where to start. Use these helpful tips for opening your own tattoo shop to start this process off right.
Master the Tattooing Art
First and foremost, creating a tattoo business means that you must have a certain degree of mastery in the industry. Whether you’re a tattoo artist yourself or a business person looking to own the shop, you still need a solid understanding of the different aspects that go into these parlors. For an aspiring tattoo artist, you want to assure you’ve trained through an apprenticeship. Partnering with an experienced tattoo artist can also help you gain the insight you need to start your shop.
Understand Local Regulations
Before you begin setting up your tattoo business, it’s also vital to familiarize yourself with local legal guidelines regarding tattooing. After all, these pieces are permanently etched into the skin, making them both a quality and health concern if you don’t take the proper precautions. These regulations can vary depending on your state, but all of them exist to protect the customer from harm. So you’ll want to fully understand these precautions before opening your business.
Develop a Business Plan
Next, like with any other business, you should draw up a detailed business plan. These reports map out all the logistical strategies for opening your tattoo shop. This includes your starting budget, chosen location, target market, and statistical data showing that market’s interest. In many cases, business plans detail your first few steps in building, marketing, and opening your shop as well. This way, you know what to do and can hit the ground running in these crucial first few months.
Gather the Necessary Equipment
As you’re gearing up to officially open, make sure that you spend some time acquiring the necessary equipment. The tattooing process is intricate and requires the appropriate tools to ensure both a quality piece and customer safety. For this reason, you’ll want to have a clear understanding of the tattoo supplies you’ll need and how to best purchase them. Some of these items include medical products, tattoo machine sterilizers, tattoo chairs, and extra sketchbooks or tracing paper.
Hire the Right Artists
One of the most important tips for opening your own tattoo shop is to hire the right artists to support your business. Even if you’re a tattoo artist yourself, parlors can’t sustain themselves with only one person. As such, you must find others who are just as passionate about the art and want your business to succeed. Because of this, you should plan on hiring one or two qualified professionals upon your grand opening.