Once you’ve gotten through your apprenticeship, it’s time to start thinking about creating your own business. It won’t be easy, but hopefully, your mentor has taught you a thing or two about running a business in addition to imparting their artistic knowledge. Either way, we can help take you the rest of the way with these top tips for opening your first tattoo shop.
Make a Business Plan
Few businesses can succeed without a solid business plan. You’ll want to think about your target market, price point, and any start-up and ongoing costs. List out all the pertinent information and keep it in one handy place. Costs may feel like a significant hurdle—leasing a workspace doesn’t come cheap.
However, don’t get discouraged. Look back at the numbers you compiled—there should be hard data that shows your business can succeed and thrive.
Don’t Neglect Marketing
If you want to pay off your start-up costs, you’ll need some customers. While family and friends may make for good patrons early on, don’t forget to invest in some advertising. Promote posts on Instagram and Facebook, consider hiring an SEO company to bring more traffic to your website, and find ways to get the word out locally.
Make a Website
Every reputable business has a website these days, and tattoo shops are no exception. Think about how often you check the Internet before deciding to visit a restaurant or local store—lacking a website may make the difference between success and failure. Make sure to list essential information on your website like store hours, artistic style, and any other features or limitations you bring to the table.
Stock Up on Equipment and Supplies
Finally, no new tattoo shop is complete without tattoo machines, needles, and inks. Ensure your business is ready to go from day one—you don’t want to turn customers away because you’re waiting on black ink! There’s a lot of must-have tattoo shop equipment, but a quality chair is at the top of the list. When a patron needs to sit still for several hours, make sure they do so in comfort!
Now that you know these top tips for opening your first tattoo shop, take the first steps to starting your new business!
