For a successful tattoo shop, you need to profect your trade.
If you're serious about starting a tattoo parlor in Arizona, you will first need to be sure that you are ready to provide quality tattoos to the clients you'll serve. The StartUpBizHub recommends participating in a one to two year apprenticeship before you start your own business. This will give you to the chance to develop your tattooing skills and have a better understanding of what it takes to run a tattoo shop. Then you can proceed with opening your own business.
Instructions
Registering Your Arizona Tattoo Shop
1. Determine a name for your tattoo shop and then check with the Arizona Corporations Commission to make sure that the name you choose fits their naming policy standards and is not already in use (see the Resources link below). You can also reserve the name for 120 days while you get other documents together, so that no one else uses it.
2. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov). Regardless of whether you have employees, an EIN is still necessary for filing registration documents, opening business checking accounts and tax purposes.
3. Visit the Arizona Corporations Commission website to download the appropriate registration files if you plan to make your tattoo parlor a corporation or limited liability company (see Resources). The Commission recommends consulting with an attorney to be certain you file the correct forms.
4. Submit the registration forms for your tattoo shop to the Arizona Corporations Commission with the appropriate filing fee. You can do so by sending the application to the address listed on the forms, or by filing online through the State of Arizona Public Access System (see Resources).
5. Be aware that, while Arizona state law does not require you to have a license to perform tattoos, there are laws regulating who can receive tattoos and the state will require you to meet these regulations, such as not providing tattoos to individuals between the ages of 14 and 18 without a parental guardian present. See the Resources link below for a full list of these laws.
6. Fill out the appropriate form to register for the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) with the Arizona Department of Revenue. You must pay this tax if you have employees, own, rent or lease property for your business or have an office or business location. See the Resources link for the appropriate forms.
Open Your Arizona Tattoo Parlor
7. Find a location for your tattoo studio that is in a strong commercial area with a lot of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, in order to increase the chance of walk-in customers. You will need a location that has space all of the equipment and furniture for you and any employees you may have. Check with city and county health department offices to find out if you need to meet any specific regulations to maintain a tattoo shop in that area of Arizona.
8. Purchase the equipment and supplies you'll need. You will, of course, need your tattoo kit, including ink and tattooing utensils. You'll need furniture for your studio both for your waiting clients and for those clients receiving a tattoo to be comfortable. You will also need equipment to keep supplies sanitized to meet state regulations.
9. Promote your Arizona tattoo shop by placing fliers in popular locations (such as local bars or coffee shops) that includes sample pictures of your work and all location information. Consider offering specials to new clients to get people in the door. Hand out business cards to everyone you meet. Advertise in the local phone book or other publications. Many individuals get more than one tattoo, so you might also consider offering referral incentives to keep customers coming back.
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