Opening a new shop...

I read a lot of postings from last year regarding opening a new shop. I have questions I was hoping for feedback on: I am consdering opening a shop on the side of town where there are few to none here in Vegas. I have the start up capital and there are sites all over. I have researched work environments and know that I would be providing a great place for artists to work. I would be taking less than the 50% most shops I have spoken to take and I would be charging a small, nominal fee to the artists for their work space. Hypothetically, $100 per week and 35-40%. Furthermore, most shops dictate what the "counterperson" gets tipped (from what I have heard, 5%). I would pay them an hourly wage & leave the tip amount up to the artists. Lastly, I would be closed on Sundays & appointment only on Monday to truly provide a quality of life for the artists. Already on board I have a 20 year veteran of the business who is a former shop owner himself as well as a current shop manager/apprentice. My question is, as a non-artist, I feel through providing a great environment for the artists, staying away from other shops & having a reputable artist to help get started that a lot of the concerns people posted last year are covered. Any thoughts?

Have you ever considered the fact by you paying such a high percentage to artist, That you will hurt another studio where a man has worked his whole life in the tattoo industry. Only to have you under cut him ? See after about 20 years the skills aren’t as Sharpe as a young man’s. So at this stage is his semi-retirement, Kind of hard for this patriot of the art to keep quality artist when Joe Blow with a dollar sign in his eye is paying unreasonable percentages simply because he cant tattoo himself. If you are looking to weasel your way into a profitable industry, Maybe a clinic. You can carry all the over head hiring doctors and nurse’s at a ungodly percentage, Why not a dentist office ? Why not just learn the trade yourself, stand on your own feet for a few years, show you care about the art. And the natural flow of things will be your own studio, Built with hard work understanding of the Tattoo industry & above all respect. Something that’s almost impossible to earn by fronting up a bunch of money to buy your way into something, that others work a lifetime to achieve. Blah, I’m probably the only one who still answers this type of asinine threads…..

Thanks josey, it is tiring to reply again and again, but if we all take turns... I dunno, good luck. Paying a good percentage and creating an environment is inportant, but only one thing... if you dont tattoo and open a studio you better have a lot more than a deep pocketbook up your sleeve. What happens when your 20 year vet walks out. You know pretty much any good studio is always looking for a good artist... Why would an artist work for you? My first artist left me after 4 months, if I didnt own TattooNOW and have the resources to find other great artists (thanks everyone!) my studio would have gone under. I still dont draw a check from the studio after 2.5 years, TattooNOW pays my bills, and the studio covers its own expenses. How long do you want to own a studio and get all the headaches that come with it if you arent getting paid? But, its all good, nature will take care of itself, I would just warn you if you arent adding something special to the industry, you probably wont get very far for too long...

Thanks Josey & Gabe...this is why I posted the question. These guys came to me (one used to work for me as a manager in another line of work) because they are so unhappy in their shop and the way they are treated. The more I talked to other artsist around here, the more I thought it would be great to provide an environment that was geared towards the artists, not the owner making money off someone else's hard work. Obviously I wanted to make some money as it is an investment, but I thought why not take a little instead of a lot. I appreciate your comments and I was not trying to weasel into anything. I did not think about cutting into other shops by lowering the percentage I take, I was only thinking of giving back to the ones that deserve it.

I apologize for such a harsh response, To someone who was sincere in the replies they may receive. But the Tattoo world takes care of it’s own, Too many times people have looked at our industry as if the employer of artist was a dirt bag not deserving of any percentage. Like I said the Tattoo world takes care of its own. And the only 20 year artist that would be begging a Banker to own a studio, would more than likely be worthless as any type of employee no matter how good his work is. Like Gabe said if you aren’t adding anything to the industry don’t bother investing in it for profit. The artist working for a lower percentage (than you feel they are worth) are only paying back to the industry the same way the studio they are working for did. And unless you are really, adding something to the industry as a non-artist owner. You will never earn the respect of the Tattoo world & viewed by most of us as a parasite. Insulting the gift of Tattooing. By trying to null & void the very respect which has always guaranteed its survival. Now the Idea of a Clinic is something that would be helpful to any ones community. I don’t think you would be hurting anyone by undercutting the local hospital, But the Tattoo thing…….We have it covered. Respectfully Tattoo Mentor of many Artist OK next time its someone else’s Turn……….>waves to Gabe<

ive worked for others that owned a shop and they were not artist.NEVER WILL I WORK FOR A NON ARTIST OWNED SHOP!!

Mike I think it sounds like a great idea, especially for international artists who would like to experience the States and where better than Vegas? It's refreshing to see someone so open minded and honest, don't be put off by other people if it's what you really want to do. Try and build up friendships with as many good artists as you can, maybe you could place an ad in the tattoo magazines etc, here and abroad, and see what the response is. I agree with Gabe to a certain degree and the poster who said the tattoo industry looks after it's own - I know for sure in all walks of like, it's not what you know but who you know. The only thing I think about life is to go for things and not leave it, then in years to come you wish you had tried it. Of course business is educated and calculated risks but you can do all the market research you can, time is on your side. Good luck. And get as many contacts as you can.