Mall Location

[Runic]

Myself and a business partner started a Kiosk in a mall here in Colorado. We are only doing Fri-Sun. We built our own kiosk, it's 10'x8'. We are paying 800.00/mo rent, and we are making the rent in about 1.5-2 days work. We are charging $5 to $17 per tattoo. Some may think this is too cheap, but we're actually getting more business from it.

I've put some of our work in our gallery at http://www.RunicsTribe.com

I don't have images of the kiosk up yet, as we are selling another product that goes great with the AB tatts, and we are working out a deal with the supplier to offer it to all AB artists. Obviously, our kiosk states what that product is. More to come later :P

[sinaz]

I was wondernig about a mall around here..

Still skeptical :) i may look into it this year.

Nice looking webiste by the way

[Runic]

The mall we are in is a fairly small location, however, it draws people from a 2hr radius, which is nice.

[Tat2guy]

Kevin nice site, I went to the store directory and you are not listed yet. Make sure they list your kiosk on there web site. For two reasons, one people going to the mall need to know where you are at, and second it will give you a get link for your website. Ps. will you drop me a hint. You could email me. lol

[Runic]

Lloyd - I checked, and we are listed under the artist directory, however, I do need to have it updated, any suggestions on how to update it?

If you email me from my site with your phone number and the best time to call, I will call you and give you a heads up, since you were a big help to me in my endeavor.

[mar00cus]

Kevin,


I really like the website and your photos you have posted on there. Can you tell me what type of equipment you use to operate the business?


I also want to open a kiosk at our local mall. It's a lot money ($1200+), but everytime I'm there...alls I see is money walking around.


I calculated my potenial to be around $2300 weekly. That of course with me being open everyday.


Again, what equipment do you use, and do your business partner help apply tats?



Thanks

[glamrock]

marcus where have u been!

[mar00cus]

Hi there Glamrock...


I took a break during the winter. Most of my business was outdoors, so I decided to hold off for a while and get better situated.

I'm now ready to get going again.


Nice to see you still hanging on.

[Runic]

What equipment are you talking about?

I would approach the mall and work out a deal. Many malls are doing up to 35% off for a few months to get you up and running. Mall kiosks should be 15% rent, in other words they come up with a base rent, and for this purpose lets say it is $600.00/month, so your cap rate would be 4000.00 (15% of 4K is 600), and then you pay 15% of your gross sales over 4K.

Feel free to email me at runic@runicstribe.com if you want to talk about equipment.

Take care!

[one1wizard]

God I wish the rent was only 600 a month. I was paying 2,500 a month with 15% on top of the gross. I have a very bad taste now about the malls. the only time you see kids in the mall is Friday night.
I'm looking at setting up at a beach front walk. I have my own power set up. hey no rent there.

Tony
tonyingflorida1@verizon.net
atattoo4u.com

[Runic]

For what type of setup in the mall? That seems crazy high. I know someone who has kiosks in vegas (not tatts) who pays 10K/month, but their sales are over 120K/month.

[one1wizard]

We had Kisok in the mall, a nice one, we paid $2,500 a month, We had a lot of foot traffic. Main isle in mall, there was a tattoo guy next to me that was paying 1,000 a month, that was because he had two kisok. he was there for about 4 month and left. his booth became a kid hang out joint. it was his kisok that gave me the idea to make money with airbrush tattoos.

Tony
tonyinflorida1@verizon.net
atattoo4u.com

[Monty]

I have a kiosk in a busy mall in Southern California selling Body Jewelry. We've been doing this here for over 8 years now but due to the current economic downturn are looking at adding something to the kiosk which fits in well. Tats sound like a really great idea which would fit in well with our current products.

I must say that after reading what some of you guys pay in rent that you get a very good deal. I pay $3600 a month, which is average here. $1200 a month is dreaming!

My question is, what kind of space would I need to stow the hardware? I have a good spot on the kiosk to display the different designs and POS.

I'm gonna be talking to my leasing manager on Monday to try and get permission to do this!
Wish me luck!!!

[Tat2guy]

Monty: Welcome to the forum. This is a good place to start learning everything you need to know about airbrush tattoos. You need to go to the blog and read Bonnie Knapp's post on kiosk and there setups. You won't need much space to put the equipment for use or storage. If you would like you can email me and I can give you the details, and help you find the right system for your needs. My email is lloyd@toppersandtats.com

[Rubtub]

Ok I was going to try this but I made up all these reason why not to... Few questions..

Would you mind sharing your approach to the mall owners / (person that makes the choice in you getting on?)

Did you have to show them a business plan?? If so.. How do you show how much you can make over the next year +?

Here is the reason I really didn't .. They didn't ask about the ink?? Question you about is the ink safe?

Do you have a tent setup? Like a Fair ground?

For someone wanting a tat on there back do you have a curtain setup?

I was in this for a while couldn't find a permanent setup... my investment timing (September) was horrible, Almost winter... But I really love doing this. . I have wonderful credit score so getting the capital wouldn't be a problem what so ever. I really don't know if this is the place to ask all these questions just signed up after reading this.. Very sorry if not. I put in almost 2.2k last year NOT know at all about the PP *cry* Had 8 guns running. In 1 week we made 1,400... I was like WOW.. there is really money in this.. I quit my job started doing random fairs and stuff couldn't get enough to cover everything to make it through the winter. Also I believe I would be buying the Entrepreneur System if i started this again.. IF ANYONE would please help me with some info. I Would be MORE then happy to listen.

At this time Im working at a job a REALLY hate want to quit EVERY day. Really would love to do this at the mall we have Just don't have ANY idea how to approach these people.

Thanks a ton,

Rubtub

Tat2guy: Thanks for welcoming people.. Probably wouldn't have joined if not :)

[one1wizard]

Hello Rubtub,

We had a kisok in the mall and the cost to me was $2,600 a month. they went by foot traffic. We went into the mall and just spoke to the leasing agent, she asked for a reason for the business and showed us a couple of spots. we picked the best one and she in hand gave us a lease. Getting in was real easy, getting the people to stop and pay was the hard part. we made folding curtains that folded out for the ladies that wanted the tat on there back.
As far as the set up, they gave us there display, they wanted us to match every one else in the mall. The mall here in Florida is Dying big time. I for myself could not see going back into the mall. Maybe your mall is doing better in funds then the Port Charlotte mall is.
I found out that the mall really did not care much about what you do as long as you keep to there rules. Every mall as there own rules that must be followed. If we left our kisok at the end of the day say 15 minutes early we would get fined $50.00. To me that was unfair but rules are rules.
One of the things I did not like is when there was a festival going on in town I had to be at the mall. I kinda felt like I was now tied down.

Tony
tonyinflorida1@verizon.net
atattoo4u.com

[Tat2guy]

Welcome Rubtub: Thank you! You are joining a unique family of airbrushers, while there our other forums you won't find one like this. You really need to read Bonnie,s blog on the kiosk. I will try and answer your questions. First you need to do some homework. And that starts with the mall. You should go and talk to other kiosk owners and get there impression on the mall and ask questions like: Is working with the mall owners and management easy? What are the pro's & con's that you have had in the mall? When are the peek times for selling in the mall. Is there security and do you feel they are affective? This is the first things I would do before approaching mall management. When starting a new business you need to have a beginning and a end in mind. And yes you will need a business plan. If you plan on financing with a bank they will require one. Keep your business plan simple and know that it will change often as you reach your goals for you business. When setting your goal or money in the business keep it realistic. If say you are going to want to make 10K in your first season then that would be a realistic number. And you can always change your business plan as you reach those goals. When talking to the management you will not know what questions they will have and you need to have answers to what ever they ask. Like ink, where you would put tattoos on the body, how long they take, Insurance, etc. so do your homework and be prepared for them. I don't know of any mall in the country that would let you put up a tent. Most will offer a kiosk and some will let you bring in a booth but they will want pictures of them and will have to approve them before you can. There is so many other things I could go on for ever but I would contact Runic as he has a current kiosk going and he may be willing to give you some more advise. The best advise I can give you is to start networking with members as most are willing to help. Keep in mind they will not do the work for you, but are willing to turn you in the right direction. Good luck and here's to a bright future.:D

[mar00cus]

Hey there...again with the equipment. I'm simply asking what equipment do you use to apply tats?

I also was curious if your business partner would be helping apply the tats.


Equipment:

-Some people use air compressor
-Others use PP


Which do you use?

[JOAT]

Marcus I sent you an email. This is a link to a video of a guy in the mall also. The equipment needed is the same you would use a festival or flea market. Spectrum/Power Pallet, I would use a silent compressor and stencils. The desire to succeed would be more important than equipment. At a mall you will be slow during the daytime hours and busy in the evenings and weekends, so it will be easy to get tired and board. As was mentioned earlier someone has to be there bell to bell or you get fined. Hope this helps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMpYcYji-TQ&feature=related

[mar00cus]

Thaks for the info...I guess i will be looking into a spectrum. Not too sure yet, I don't mind sitting around at the mall...we have about 6 malls here and they are all pretty packed daily.

My real reason for asking about the equipment question is to see what's the best equipment for a mall crowd, and I was also curious about needing help.

But i just remembered talking to the guys at Disney. They all worked solo...with a regular airtank.


Now I just have to get into the mall. (high fees) but i know it's worth it.


Later JOAT

[Tat2guy]

Mar00cus: He use's a EBA multi-gun system, I don't know if he uses a Co2, or small compressor, but either way you need a air source. He bought a EBA stand that holds all his stuff in for storage. Unless you are prepared to work 7 days a week, 14 hours a day 363 days a year, yes you will need someone to work with you. That is if you plan to have a family life or any kind of life. People at Disney work shifts. They may work the shift alone but they have others that take over after there shift.

[Runic]

I use 10 guns, 9 for paint and 1 for EBA Pro-Endura (sealer).

My business partner pulls the stencil, rings the customer up and cleans the stencils.

Hope that helps!

If I were you, I would approach a mall doing weekends only, to start. Fri-Sun. Offer 600/month with the CAP rate being 4,000.00. Meaning you'd pay 15% of gross earnings over 4K.

I use an EBA compressor as well.

[sneakyd]

I just put an add on craigslist to see if any salons were interested in giving me some space so I could do TATs for upcoming Proms and Graduation parties. I have an owner that is located right on Western Michigan University's Campus! I also had a Tattoo shop in the same area last year that was going to give me space. I prefer the salon because I just ordered some sunless tanning stuff to spray my wife for a wedding and if it works good then maybe I can offer that at the salon too!

[Alan]

Lloyd - could you put a link to the blog about the mall. If you prefer not to post it could you PM me.

I have just had the frame made for my shopping centre and are about to design the displays so would be interested

[Tat2guy]

Alan: No problem it is the tatstore blog and the person who wrote the entries is Bonnie Knapp (Kirk's wife) Here is the link: http://blog.tatstore.com/category/bonnie/. Go to the next page and you will see her first entry on the malls. Good reading.