In Ukraine, at the moment, there are not so many business niches where there is very little competition. In most cases, there are already their own "mastodons" who have been on the market for several years and do not allow others to take leadership positions. As a rule, the competition is quite fierce. However, there are still interesting areas where you can start your own business and eventually become the leader of the niche yourself. Of course, it all depends on a number of factors, including the size of the settlement and the number of population.
If you are looking for options where you can invest money to start working for yourself, then we advise you to take a closer look at the tattoo industry. This is a great option for a novice entrepreneur. Why? The tattoo industry in Ukraine is developing rapidly, and the demand for quality services is growing every year. This means that opening a tattoo parlor is a very promising idea. With a reasonable approach, you can count on success, but it is important to take everything into account and think it over. You need to conduct a market analysis, prepare a high-quality business plan, choose a suitable place, find good masters and organize marketing wisely. We suggest talking about all this in more detail.
Market assessment and demand analysis
Your task is to assess the market, find out the level of competition, and define your target audience. This is where we recommend starting.
It is important to pay attention to your competitors. You need to know who you will have to compete with for clients in the future. Find out how many tattoo parlors are already operating in your city, what services they provide, their prices and benefits. This will be a starting point for your activities.
Don't forget to define your target audience. Typically, such services are in demand among people aged 18 to 40, but there are exceptions.
Be sure to follow the trends. Then your services will be more interesting. You have to keep up with fashion, and it changes over time.
Preparing to open a tattoo parlor
Business legalization
You have to work officially. Everything has to be done in accordance with the law. You will need to open a sole proprietorship.
If you are interested in activity codes (KVED), then: 96.02 "Provision of services by hairdressing and beauty salons" - suitable for tattoo parlors.
Of course, you will need to visit various authorities to obtain the appropriate permits: tax, sanitary and epidemiological service, fire department, etc. You will also need to draw up a number of agreements: for renting premises, for disposing of medical waste, etc.
Space for a salon
Of course, when it comes to choosing a location, it all depends on your preferences, as well as the size of your budget, because “fishy places” are more expensive, but we offer a few useful recommendations that will be useful to everyone. First, it is best to choose crowded places: the city center, shopping centers or areas with high traffic. Second, it is important to carefully approach the choice of area. It is necessary that there is a possibility of zoning (working area, reception, bathroom). Third, when evaluating different options, pay attention to ventilation and lighting.
Developing a business plan for a tattoo parlor
Business description
A tattoo parlor provides tattooing services, correction of old work, training of masters, or sale of specialized materials.
Mission and development strategy
Mission – providing quality tattoo services, creating a unique space for clients. Strategy – brand development, attracting clients through social media, and participating in thematic events.
Financial plan
A lot depends on the city, because even the rent for a space can vary significantly depending on the settlement. That's why we will give approximate figures.
Costs of opening a tattoo parlor:
- Room rental – from 15,000 rubles;
- Purchase of necessary equipment – from 150,000 UAH;
- Marketing and promotion – it all depends on the approach, but it is better to set aside at least a few tens of thousands of hryvnias for this. They will definitely not be superfluous. Advertising is important!
Expected income:
Again, the prices directly depend on the city, but if we consider that the average cost of the service is 2,000–5,000 UAH, then with 20 clients per month, which are quite realistic figures, your income will be 40,000–100,000 UAH.
Marketing strategy
We advise you to approach this comprehensively. It will not be superfluous to involve specialists who will do it truly professionally. Pay attention to both online and offline work.
Recruitment
The success of the salon largely depends on the professionalism of the masters, because they directly affect the quality of services. To start, you can hire 2-3 experienced tattoo artists. Pay attention to their portfolio, style of execution and communication skills. You can find them through messengers, social networks, job and worker search sites, classifieds websites like OLX, etc. Some people work in their own salon at the first stages, if they have the necessary skills.
Equipment and materials for a tattoo parlor
Equipment is an important investment, so we advise you not to save too much on it. Of course, you don’t have to buy everything that is very expensive, but try to find the best value for money. If things go well, then you can replace something with better and more expensive analogues. Here is a rough list of what you need:
- Tattoo machines. They come in rotary and induction. What to choose? Rotary tattoo machines are usually much quieter, but induction counterparts are cheaper.
- Disposable needles, gloves, high-quality paints and other consumables.
- Sterilizers and antiseptics. All this is necessary for safe work without risks.
- Beds for clients, chairs, lighting fixtures.
Legal requirements and security
Follow the hygiene standards established by law. Be sure to keep a sterilization log. Each employee must have a medical record. Draw up a contract for the removal of medical waste.
Marketing and promotion of a tattoo parlor
- Create a professional website with a master portfolio and social media pages.
- Create accounts in messengers. There you can also publish photos of your work, inform customers about discounts, promotions, and other offers, and communicate to schedule appointments.
- Use targeted advertising to attract customers in your area.
- Outdoor advertising will also be useful. You can involve promoters. If the budget allows, you can order advertising on billboards.
- Collaborations - partnering with bloggers or holding master classes will help increase awareness.
Frequently asked questions
How to choose the perfect location for a tattoo parlor? Focus on areas with a large number of potential customers. It is important that the premises meet sanitary standards and are suitable in size.
How much does it cost to open a tattoo parlor in Ukraine? Average costs start from 200-250 thousand hryvnias, depending on the city, location of the real estate object, equipment, and advertising.
How to attract the first customers? Make promotional offers, offer discounts, and regularly showcase the work of craftsmen on social networks.
How to avoid the main mistakes when opening a tattoo parlor? Start with a market analysis and creating a quality business plan. Don't skimp on equipment and training. You can use the tips and instructions offered in this text as a starting point.
Let's summarize
As you can see, opening a tattoo parlor is a pretty good decision, but you need to approach the matter wisely, then the result will be appropriate. The start requires serious preparation and we advise you to pay attention to each of the points described above.
