As with everything in life competition exists within the Tattoo Industry. This competition increases even more when a shop is located in a heavily populated city where other shops are located. Chicago for example has well over a hundred shops both in the city and in it's suburbs. Rockford is Illinois third biggest city and it also has plenty of shops competing for the consumers dollar. That competition among artist can be very competitive to outrageous, this past week I had to let an artist go because of the competition took a turn for the worse.
This artist was good, but he let his personal life and jealousy for a co-worker drive him to the point where his whole attitude effected his job. Competition is great for the industry but at the same time we as artist have to keep it within reason. I can see a friendly kind of goofing around or giving someone shit about how they do things. But when that friendly goofing around turns into jealous outburst then it's time to nip it in the butt.
Every one in the industry needs to keep that in mind because the industry has come to far to go backwards because of something one shop does against another.Tattooing has become main stream and in order to succeed in the industry an artist must get out there and promote themselves to the public. I ponder something that someone told me this week about how they talked the shop up more then they should've. That statement made no sense to me because isn't it the artist who wants to make money? In order for the artist to grow their business they have to get out there and promote the business.
The last couple of posts have dealt with what kind of stuff can go on in a shop and what to expect if your thinking about opening one on your own one day. The biggest thing about opening a tattoo shop everyone has to realize the amount of competition out there and how to deal with it. Do you have the network marketing skills to promote your self? Do you know the mediums that your target base is going to be? Does your business plan deal with your competition? All very needed questions that warrant an answer.
Opening up a shop isn't about going and getting flash or tattooing. It's a business with lots of ups and downs. In order to prepare for these ups and downs one must get experience in the field first. If your not with a shop who is currently strong in the marketplace then you will have a hard time learning what to expect in this industry. On a day to day basis the following factors apply to running a shop.
1. Competition and how to respond to attack ads or ill will
2. How to bring the customers in so the shop and your artist make money.
3. Current Economic situation and how to adjust to it.
4. Promoting the business within the shops means and getting a return on investment
5. How to keep a good shop atmosphere for the employees and customers.
Not to mention how to pay the rent and bills the shop is responsible for. Many artist have trouble with the shops out there charging a 50 percent commission on a tattoo. Well the shop is responsible for all the rent, utility bills, up keep on the building, advertising which cuts out a big percentage of the pie. After these factors the shop is lucky to break even on what it splits with an artist. Thats why you see most shop owners also tattooing because thats actually their profit for the month.
Lets remember this when you want to open your own shop. Is it better to just work for a shop because your not responsible for any of the bills except for promoting yourself. Or do you want to dive into the owner aspect and hope to turn a profit?