New tattoo shop

ok guys. were opening up a tattoo shop in tucson. we have two artists and a piercer and more artists coming later. were thinking opening up july 4th would be a great time especially with the college fall semester coming and rich kids coming back for school with mom and dad's money. can it be done successfully without a college business degree? what kind of problems can we expect to run into within the first 6 months to a year? how hard is it to get guest appearances from either celeb artists or artists at well known shops around the U.S.?

To get "celeb or well known" artists I can say that if you dont know any of them, or nkow people who know them, they wont propably come to your shop. Because it is still about tattooing and not about money with many of the top artists. They wont to come to a shop where they can push them artistically and still be among friends.

It's too easy just for anyone to open a tattoo shop. The person above obviously knows nothing about business, tattooing and clearly doesn't know anybody of any standing in the tattoo community. Contacts mean everything in this business, even more so to a non tattooer. First and foremost I would try and get some business schooling in whatever way that might be. I'm sure anyone who owns any shop whether it be tattooing or a florist will tell you it's expensive just to keep the thing running with rent, rates, hazardous waste disposal, marketing etc etc you have to make a certain amount of money just to break even. I firmly believe the people who are very successful in the tattoo business are already good friends with the people in it and it's this that gets them in. If you don't know anybody I would imagine it's very difficult to be successful, and I'm sure at least half the tattoo shops out there struggle - whether they admit it or not...

I dont know if it was aimed at me, but my point was same when you said I firmly believe the people who are very successful in the tattoo business are already good friends with the people in it and it's this that gets them in.

eeer... yes I know - I was agreeing with you...

Sorry :) Just that you said "the person above me" and it was me :)

"what kind of problems can we expect to run into within the first 6 months to a year? how hard is it to get guest appearances from either celeb artists or artists at well known shops around the U.S.?" if you had any experience in the trade you'd already know the answers to these questions.

Pyrrhus everything you said was spot on. I couldn't agree more. I'm not a tattooist or a tattoo shop owner - but I know people in the biz and from what I've seen it's a very inside thing. Is that right or not I don't know but, for sure, that's the way it is, and for new people trying to get into it - it's very hard - that's the polite way of putting it. Anyway bro hope you know we're seeing the same thing and everything is cool ; )

Everything is cool :)

Ok first off, I assumed this sight was to help. Not criticize. I know people and I know what I expect in the first six months, but I'm looking for what others think or expect, not things like "you should already know" that's not helpful. I know its not about money with them. Its about them doing what they can to help my shop by using their creativity and design. So please, I would like helpful comments like a couple of you put. Thank you

when you know all these things, that's when you should open your shop. not before. too many out there as it is.

Networking is vital in almost every business. Its not unfair that people who have strong ties get in and/or get farther, its life. Work hard and fair and smart and you can make solid connections. Lucky for you that means getting tattooed by the very best. Now, that said, if you have to ask on an internet forum about how to open a studio, I think its safe to say you need to work harder and learn a lot more about the business before your ready to open a studio of value.