that didn't last......

[David]

Well, my mentor's got an opportunity elsewhere - nontattoo related - and is taking off for parts westward, soon. Real soon. He's thinking about keeping the place open to accomodate his loyal clientelle and is leaving the space for me to manage as I may. I'm obviously totally unqualified and would be in way over my head in a tattoo environment. If I can get a tattooist in there I'd like to try and keep it open as a tattoo studio. His is the only game in town and other shops that have come and gone have been of extremely poor quality and cleanliness; so it'd be nice to keep a shop open that maintains a professional standard in town.

So, I'm hoping to come across some artisans that are nearby that might be up to taking over the tattooing here. Nothing's etched in biblical tablet yet; just sort of had this sprung on me as an almost immediate event so I'm just putting out feelers and seeing if there's reasonable options to consider.

If it don't happen that way then I'll just ride out the lease as an art studio. That way I can at least get out of the house to go to work. At the moment I seem to be a professional procrastinator.

[bigrocks]

what the?

[Peridot]

Aw poor David
I'm sure you will find a better studio.

[jrf134]

bet you could make a go of it man,give it yer best

[Karl]

I normally would not say that, but even as a beginner you got potential. I've seen the octopus and that's where I base my advice on. Keep the shop open yourself, BUT tell your customers you will only do small tattoos, tribal and oldschool, be honoust with them that you onnly start and don't work expensive, tell them that the tattoos will have to be done in minimum 2 times. Get a part time tattooist in the shop that knows what they're doing to take on more complicated stuff, BUT be the boss, if you see they're bigheaded or get over you, sack them. There's plenty of tattooists looking for jobs at the moment with the bad economy. You gotta jump into it, even if it's only after your regular jobs hours.
I can't remember where you're from, but there might be some onhere who are willing give you a push.
I myself think you have the right attitude towards tattooing and will support of I can.

Your mentor was obviously not the right one and shouldn't even be in that tattooworld if he chooses something else above tattooing.

[Craig Nicholson]

Originally Posted by Karl

I normally would not say that, but even as a beginner you got potential. I've seen the octopus and that's where I base my advice on. Keep the shop open yourself, BUT tell your customers you will only do small tattoos, tribal and oldschool, be honoust with them that you onnly start and don't work expensive, tell them that the tattoos will have to be done in minimum 2 times. Get a part time tattooist in the shop that knows what they're doing to take on more complicated stuff, BUT be the boss, if you see they're bigheaded or get over you, sack them. There's plenty of tattooists looking for jobs at the moment with the bad economy. You gotta jump into it, even if it's only after your regular jobs hours.
I can't remember where you're from, but there might be some onhere who are willing give you a push.
I myself think you have the right attitude towards tattooing and will support of I can.

Your mentor was obviously not the right one and shouldn't even be in that tattooworld if he chooses something else above tattooing.

It's great to see you put that Karl - nice one!

As for the mentor, I agree with KArl, he shouldn't have been mentoring someone if he was willing to up and go!

[coloradodave]

Wow! That's pretty heavy stuff David, If you are as committed to being a tattooist as I think you are you will find a way to make it work, just a bump in the road is all this is.
Good luck man.

[comrad]

You need to sway him to keep the shop open.

Id make an action plan of shit your going to do as manager, like how you will manage the Artist(s) advertising, stocks, revenue and taxes etc.

start boneing up on the business side of things, you need a good foundation so things are running smoothly for when you start learning again. Also you need to show you know your onions to the manager to help convinve to keep it open and that you are capable of managing the shop!

yeah he's abit of a shit for moving, but an opertunity is open...time to man up and not wallow in it..this can only be another feather in your cap! and if it only goes tits up...atleast you did your best.

get down the library get some business books, speak to as many shop managers as possible (not in the vicinity) ones you trust...im sure well offer the best advice we can.

As Karl said before when you do take on an artist, make sure he's good and you admire his work but if he gets too big for his britches fire his ass out the door.

Dont be meek and timid make sure you have an air of authority about you! this will come in a couple of months.

Like I said few few weeks/months you'll feel like a fish out of water but run with it and your confidence will grow!

dont sink man!

[Mike DeClue]

Originally Posted by Karl

I normally would not say that, but even as a beginner you got potential. I've seen the octopus and that's where I base my advice on. Keep the shop open yourself, BUT tell your customers you will only do small tattoos, tribal and oldschool, be honoust with them that you onnly start and don't work expensive, tell them that the tattoos will have to be done in minimum 2 times. Get a part time tattooist in the shop that knows what they're doing to take on more complicated stuff, BUT be the boss, if you see they're bigheaded or get over you, sack them. There's plenty of tattooists looking for jobs at the moment with the bad economy. You gotta jump into it, even if it's only after your regular jobs hours.
I can't remember where you're from, but there might be some onhere who are willing give you a push.
I myself think you have the right attitude towards tattooing and will support of I can.

Your mentor was obviously not the right one and shouldn't even be in that tattooworld if he chooses something else above tattooing.

I'm with Karl. good luck to you David. you can do it.

[jrf134]

first off make sure your shop is up to snuff,taxes,permits,licenses,safety,board of health,code requirements,signage,stuff that is on the business side of things,also your supplies,suppliers,make sure they are paid up to date,guest spots maybe?wish ya lots of luck man,go for it see how much the budget it is to stay afloat,and if ya can make a profit,then your doin well,make sure your clave is tested up to date too,and your records,liabilty,and client files,it's all bout keeping things runnin right,not just the tattoos

[David]

Thanks for the positive comments and suggestions. I'll post updates as they come. I feel good about the business end of it (I've been artistically self-employed before, so I'm used to the commission based financial juggle). But I'm real dissappointed with the abrupt end of the learning process. Such is life - time to readjust.....


Oh, yeah: just want it to be known that I'm NOT gonna pull an "emilia"

[coggledots]

Originally Posted by David

Oh, yeah: just want it to be known that I'm gonna pull an "emilia"

Shouldn't that say 'not gonna' lol

Sad news mate on the mentor front, keep ya chin up & get on with what ya gotta do

[David]

Originally Posted by coggledots

Shouldn't that say 'not gonna' lo

Why, yes, it should have!

[Karl]

Originally Posted by David

Thanks for the positive comments and suggestions. I'll post updates as they come. I feel good about the business end of it (I've been artistically self-employed before, so I'm used to the commission based financial juggle). But I'm real dissappointed with the abrupt end of the learning process. Such is life - time to readjust.....


Oh, yeah: just want it to be known that I'm NOT gonna pull an "emilia"

If he goes for good, make sure it's all on your name that you don't build up and good shop and then he comes back to take it over again and gets rid of you, wouldn't be the first time that happens

[Inkspressit]

Originally Posted by Karl

If he goes for good, make sure it's all on your name that you don't build up and good shop and then he comes back to take it over again and gets rid of you, wouldn't be the first time that happens

, and keep 2 sets of contacts and clients, one at the premise and one personal, that way if he comes back and you've built it up and he does try the asshat on ya, you have the means to setup and kick butt!

[David]

Any one have any experience buying/selling an existing business? Equipment-wise, the only things that are staying are a (really cool) vintage dentist's chair and a foot operated workstation sink. The rest is getting gutted. What I consider valueable are the familiar storefront and return customers. I have to place a dollar value on that business potential because I want this to be a clean transaction that I can afford and he's not going to regret later.
I have an acquaintence I'm going to talk to that's bought businesses before but probably not just a "client list". So anyone with this experience please feel free to chime in.

[comrad]

No autoclave? or any equipment/supplies??

[David]

Nope. He's all disposable. I have my own autoclave. I know he's taking his machines, ps, stencil copier and computer with him. I'm not sure if he's leaving behind any consumables; but I have everything necessary anyway. Initially this was going to be a "handing over", but money's been mentioned a couple times so I know he's rethinking the situation. The scoop is that he knows I don't have a pot to piss in at the moment, so any financial transaction's going to be a prolonged payment situation that I don't want to get involved for reasons that have already been pointed out. I'm going to negotiate a clean break that I can afford, but won't bite me in the ass later. Realistically, if everything's properly laid out on the table the primary setback would be that his loyal customers don't like what I've done with the place, or the artists I've hired (being that the owner's telling them that I'm the new guy) and stop coming to the shop - in which case any investment's a waste of money because I could start from scratch myself after he leaves (which I wouldn't do on principle)

[comrad]

This sounds like a stupid question, can you be registered in certain states without a vaccum clave?

Sounds like its getting twisted up abit, have a word with him...see what he has planned.

[Karl]

If he's leaving, he's gotta end his contract if nobody takes it over, so basicly you're doing him a favour by taking over the contract and he won't have to pay the reminding rent anymore.
Just pay for what you like and bollocks to the rest.
If he doesn't agree, leave it and let him close it, then go the owner and tell them you wanna rent the premises. You didn't loose respect as he leaves you and the shop.

I've seen tattooshops being sold here for the last 5 years, last one I know if was 65k, the one who had it fucked it all up, his work was crap, so the new had to start from scratch and is now on the edge of being bust. And it's not the first one I've seen. + some said the were healthregisterd while they weren't and here if it's a new owner, you need to get a new healthregistration and do a hygiene course, more money, more woriies.