my personal situation

matronmedusa · 10-08-2008, 05:54 PM

My husband (I HATE that legal term, we're NOT married, but "boyfriend" sounds so highschool) has been in this industry for 17 years. He's managed many high-end shops, and we've been working this industry together for the past 6 years. We know all the risks, ins and outs, loopholes, regulations, and yes, we have a HUGE following.

I don't work as hard as I could; with this industry being in my home, I do get ALL walks of life; some of them not necessarily those you want in you personal home space. I work appointment only, so that I can regulate my hours and the time I get to spend with my kids, which is partly the reason why I haven't been able to save enough cash to get this started on our own. I can't advertise, because though I have a license to tattoo, I do not have a "business" license. Which, is another reason I'm afraid to continue out of home. Every shop in this area knows who I am; I've taken half their customers---giving them PLENTY of reason to rat. I'm feeling pressured, and I don't know how much longer this can hold out...

Steve_A · 10-08-2008, 06:15 PM

Hi matronmedusa,

Now there's a dilema. I'm not sure how things work in the US about business licenses and such. Not being one to encourage illegal activity, but I'm sure you will e able to act 'informally' without too much problem. I imagine the Avon lady acts informally. Doesn't she?

If you have a following and are taking up half the clientelle of the neighbourood, I imagine then that you must be making the most money, after all the rest of the competition must be dividing the other half of the clientelle between them. How do they survive?

Sometimes the answer is in front of your nose. I don't think your main problem is wanting another place to open a business, I think you are wanting some peace of mind doing the thing you are already doing where you are.

Have you thought of opening a limited company. You can get them ready 'off the shelf' for a couple of hundred dollars. The rest you take up with the local city hall, things like hygeine control, licensing etc.. That lot would come nowhere near your 10,000 bucks, and you can carry on doing what you've been doing, raking it in with your following.

Best regards,

Steve

P.S. Please enter in contact in private if you need further advice. This forum has nothing to do with opening Tattoo shops.

Quote:

Originally Posted by matronmedusa

My husband (I HATE that legal term, we're NOT married, but "boyfriend" sounds so highschool) has been in this industry for 17 years. He's managed many high-end shops, and we've been working this industry together for the past 6 years. We know all the risks, ins and outs, loopholes, regulations, and yes, we have a HUGE following...

Racsouran · 10-09-2008, 12:27 AM

Wait to see how the economic situation pans out

10-09-2008, 01:03 AM

Rock on! Glad to see your following your spirit!

recallone · 10-09-2008, 02:06 AM

I have a few tattoos. I had a tattoo artist come to the house to touch up one of them up.
That's the way to get a tattoo, if you ask me. Comfort of your own home, cold drink in hand...

Go mobile - it'll make it more comfortable for someone who doesn't necessarily like the idea of sitting in a tattoo shop too - especially for those first time "just give me a little butterfly" types.

Mike_Jetson · 10-09-2008, 01:13 PM

Keep any spending down to the bare minimum right now. You obviously know the business very well. In this climate, buying a property can look way cheaper than renting so its an option, especially with a mortgage that lets you pay off more when you can and take back the overpayments if you need to.

when the other guy gets 49 %, you can safely say this 49 percent should come out after youve paid yourselves well for your time too, more than you would have got working for someone else. Then 49 percent out of whats left. No?

matronmedusa · 10-09-2008, 01:26 PM

We have decided to wait and see how everything pans out. I know that if the economy falls apart and the dollar is worthless, I still have skills that will assure our success.

If the economy goes back on the rise, and the dollar is safe, the increased income I can get from a shop will help us in all of our future affairs.

Topic is closed. I appreciate all of the advice, the comments and the care to take the time to reply.

Much love

10-08-2008, 05:54 PM	#1
matronmedusa Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Alabama, USA Posts: 17	Re: my personal situation My husband (I HATE that legal term, we're NOT married, but "boyfriend" sounds so highschool) has been in this industry for 17 years. He's managed many high-end shops, and we've been working this industry together for the past 6 years. We know all the risks, ins and outs, loopholes, regulations, and yes, we have a HUGE following. I don't work as hard as I could; with this industry being in my home, I do get ALL walks of life; some of them not necessarily those you want in you personal home space. I work appointment only, so that I can regulate my hours and the time I get to spend with my kids, which is partly the reason why I haven't been able to save enough cash to get this started on our own. I can't advertise, because though I have a license to tattoo, I do not have a "business" license. Which, is another reason I'm afraid to continue out of home. Every shop in this area knows who I am; I've taken half their customers---giving them PLENTY of reason to rat. I'm feeling pressured, and I don't know how much longer this can hold out...

10-09-2008, 12:27 AM	#3
Racsouran Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 248	Re: my personal situation Wait to see how the economic situation pans out

10-09-2008, 01:03 AM	#4
OceanWinds Guest Posts: n/a	Re: my personal situation Rock on! Glad to see your following your spirit!

10-09-2008, 02:06 AM	#5
recallone Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 289	Re: my personal situation I have a few tattoos. I had a tattoo artist come to the house to touch up one of them up. That's the way to get a tattoo, if you ask me. Comfort of your own home, cold drink in hand... Go mobile - it'll make it more comfortable for someone who doesn't necessarily like the idea of sitting in a tattoo shop too - especially for those first time "just give me a little butterfly" types.

10-09-2008, 01:13 PM	#6
Mike_Jetson Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North East ENGLAND Posts: 345	Re: my personal situation Keep any spending down to the bare minimum right now. You obviously know the business very well. In this climate, buying a property can look way cheaper than renting so its an option, especially with a mortgage that lets you pay off more when you can and take back the overpayments if you need to. when the other guy gets 49 %, you can safely say this 49 percent should come out after youve paid yourselves well for your time too, more than you would have got working for someone else. Then 49 percent out of whats left. No?

10-09-2008, 01:26 PM	#7
matronmedusa Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Alabama, USA Posts: 17	Re: my personal situation We have decided to wait and see how everything pans out. I know that if the economy falls apart and the dollar is worthless, I still have skills that will assure our success. If the economy goes back on the rise, and the dollar is safe, the increased income I can get from a shop will help us in all of our future affairs. Topic is closed. I appreciate all of the advice, the comments and the care to take the time to reply. Much love