Did you know that as many as 145 million Americans have at least one tattoo? Approximately 19% go on to regret their decision. Some fear their tattoos will hinder them from getting the job they want, while others have outgrown the symbolism behind their tattoo. A tattoo removal business helps clients get rid of their tattoo mistakes through dermabrasion, surgery, or laser surgery.
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Start a Tattoo Removal Business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Tattoo Removal Business
- Form your Tattoo Removal Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Tattoo Removal Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Tattoo Removal Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Tattoo Removal Business
- Get Tattoo Removal Business Insurance
- Define your Tattoo Removal Business Brand
- Create your Tattoo Removal Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your Tattoo Removal Business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is very important. Read our detailed guide on how to name your business. We recommend checking if the business name you choose is available as a web domain and securing it early so no one else can take it.
What are the costs involved in opening a Tattoo Removal Business?
Once you’ve determined your state’s laws regarding tattoo removal practices, you can begin writing your business plan and budget. You’ll need enough startup capital to cover the following expenses:
- Office space – Look for a space with approximately 800 square feet. The location should have enough room for a reception and waiting room area, treatment room, and office. To save money, many new tattoo removal businesses rent space in an established spa or medical facility. This delivers the added bonus of providing access to an established customer base.
- Laser equipment – Tattoo removal laser machines cost $150,000 to over $300,000. When deciding what equipment you should invest in, consider factors like what ink colors you want to remove, how much space it requires, and how long it takes to warm up. Consider your long-term goals for the business before investing in any equipment.
- Marketing strategy – As with any business, you will need to start with a plan for advertising. Some equipment manufacturers provide training, technical support, and marketing consulting.
- Medical supplies – This will be a minimal investment, but you will need to keep medical supplies such as antibiotic ointment and bandages on hand to ensure proper aftercare.
- Insurance – Work with a trusted insurance professional to determine your business insurance needs.
What are the ongoing expenses for a Tattoo Removal Business?
Once you have the clinic up and running, your overhead expenses will be fairly minimal. Your monthly budget should include utilities, rent, restocking of medical supplies, equipment maintenance, and insurance. Payroll-related expenses typically represent the largest part of a tattoo removal business’s budget.
Who is the target market?
The tattoo business encompasses everyone aged 18 and up. They span every background, gender, and race. Studies indicate between 17% and 50% experience tattoo regret, and the average age of someone seeking tattoo removal is 29.
How does a Tattoo Removal Business make money?
Your tattoo removal business will make money by charging a fee for each laser appointment. Most tattoo removals require at least three appointments.
How much can you charge customers?
You will charge patients a flat rate for each treatment appointment. Most appointments last about 15 minutes, and the average appointment rate is $200.
How much profit can a Tattoo Removal Business make?
Unlike most startup businesses, tattoo removal clinics typically see a profit within the first six months. If you average 40 clients a week, at $200 per appointment, that comes out to $8,000 per week. This equals out to $416,000 per year. To determine your company’s profits, you would subtract your annual ongoing expenses from $416,000.
How can you make your business more profitable?
As we mentioned earlier, many technicians getting into this industry have a medical or spa background. To drive up profits, consider offering additional services, such as laser hair removal, microneedling, cellulite reduction, and skin rejuvenation.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your Tattoo Removal Business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your Tattoo Removal Business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a Tattoo Removal Business
As you move towards your clinic’s opening day, you’ll want to start advertising your services. Most patients researching tattoo removal clinics complete a web search and select a business based on their online ranking. Therefore, it’s critical that you have an online presence. This should include an established website, social media presence, and listings in all local online directories.
How to keep customers coming back
Referrals and repeat customers will be a large part of how you gain clients. Networking within the community and providing exceptional customer service will help ensure a steady stream of referrals.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Are you interested in being part of the medical or beauty industry, searching for a way to set your own hours and become your own boss? Do you lack the experience but possess the capital and drive to launch your own business? Do you enjoy interacting with people from different backgrounds? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a tattoo removal business might be the ideal career path for you.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a Tattoo Removal Business?
Your primary role as a tattoo removal specialist is to administer laser treatments at the tattoo site. Before getting started, you’ll meet with a new client. This is the time to get to know them and inspect the area in question. Based on your findings, you’ll develop a treatment plan.
Factors that impact how many treatments a patient needs include skin type, tattoo location, age of the tattoo, and tattoo colors. The average laser appointment time is 15 minutes, and most patients require between 5 and 10 treatments.
In addition to meeting with patients, you and your support staff will spend time each day cleaning and maintaining the office space and equipment, meeting with supply vendors, maintaining office and treatment supplies, performing administrative duties, and marketing.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful Tattoo Removal Business?
The qualifications required to provide tattoo removal services vary from one jurisdiction to another. Some regions consider the process a medical procedure, thus requiring technicians to hold a medical degree of some kind. This could be a registered nurse, physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Others simply require the proper certification. This map provides detailed information regarding each state’s regulations, contact information, and additional new business resources.
To launch a laser tattoo removal business, most state’s will require you to meet the following criteria:
- Utilize FDA-approved laser equipment designed for tattoo removal
- The operator must be certified and have at least 16 hours of training
- The practice must have a Physician Medical Director that oversees the facility
To manage a successful tattoo removal business, you should have good hand-eye coordination, be detail-oriented, have strong people skills, and be able to make quick judgment calls regarding the safe removal of a tattoo.
As with any new business, it would prove beneficial to have a background in business. If this isn’t your strong suit, look into beginner business classes at your local college, Chamber of Commerce, or your local Small Business Administration.
What is the growth potential for a Tattoo Removal Business?
The tattoo removal industry grew by 440% in its first 10 years. The market is expected to reach over $795 million by the year 2027, leaving significant room for growth for entrepreneurs looking to jump into the industry.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a Tattoo Removal Business?
Consider partnering with an equipment manufacturer that provides ongoing support. These organizations have extensive industry knowledge that could prove invaluable in leading your business to long-term success.
How and when to build a team
You’ll need to fill at least two positions before you open your doors to the public. An office manager will handle the day-to-day operations, while the tattoo removal technician will handle client appointments. In some states, you’ll also need a medical director to oversee the clinic’s operations.
Your laser technician should have the proper credentials and be fully trained in how to operate all the office equipment. Most manufacturers provide training specific to their tools.