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I knew a non-cook restaurant owner who ran a successful outfit. Even though he never lifted a knife he was good at other things that made a business successful. Marketing, budgeting, talent-scouting, and all that administrative stuff. He was good at that, and that is how he contributed to the restaurant.

If the owner is a Tattoo Collector I wouldn't see a big problem there. If this non-artist-owner has the right business savvy to keep the shop and it's staff functioning happily all the better!

I felt the same way initially about non-artist owners in shops. I figured it was a bad idea because they wouldnt never know exactly "how it works". Then i took a trip to St. Louis and visited Threshold for a tattoo, which is a non-artist owned shop. After talking to the artist for a few hours about it he really opened my eyes to some of the pro's i had never thought of. If the owner isn't an artist it allows them to focus on one thing, the business! Its actually kind of cool because that, in turn lets the artists focus on one thing… ART! It's such a load off your shoulders when you don't have to worry about the business side of the shop being: supplies, promoting your shop, events, tidying up the shop, etc. Very cool topic though, id love to hear some more opinions on this subject.

-Doug

The current shop I work for is owned by a married couple. The wife has been tattooing for 20 years and the husband use to pierce and is an avid collector of tattoos and like mentioned before, it works out well. We the artist only have to focus on the art while he focuses on the business aspect. He's also been in the business long enough to know what will look good and what will work and not work art wise. I use to be against it but after working here, I have no problems with it now. It's almost a stress reliever to not have to worry about both the art and business side and helps me focus more on my artwork. Hope this with the others was a bit helpful

Intresting views thanks for them. I guess maybe I'm just at the wrong shop the owner here doesn't promote tells us that it on us to promote ourselves and the shop, doesn't supply any supplies but green soap paper and stencil pape, and looks down upon going to guest spot anywhere or conventions. Hmmmmm......seems to be much better out there......any opinions ?????

I was in a shop like that before the one I'm at now BUT the owner was a tattooer. Best bet is to go to another shop where you can grow as an artist and to be part of a shop that supports that by allowing you to go guest spot at other shops and go to conventions

I just quitet a shop that was a total joke, and the shop owner where in prison and let his friend run the shop. And he ran it accordingly to what he saw last Night at la ink tv show. Worked there for a Month and packet my stuff and left. Much better just tattoing out of my house and Working a 30hour Day job. Lets me focus on getting better and do art instead of being a prostitude for some jerks that have never puttet a Line on a piece of paper and thinking they are cool
Because they own a tattoo shop. In my opinion thats where the difference between a tattoo shop and a tattoo studio is.

Get to know some good People in the industri, do the Best you Can and let People Who are into tattooing because they Think it makes Them cool sail Their own seas :-)

i work for a studio that isnt owned by a tattoo artist. the owner has a background in event organisation and business management and promotion, he runs the studios he owns very well, constantly promotes them, handles everything from bookings,stock, wages etc and brings in tons of custom. ive worked in a few studios that have been owned by both non artists and artists that have been managed badly. i think it comes down to the individual, if somebody has the passion, drive and commitment to make a business successful it doesnt matter whether they themselves are tattooists or not. i personally feel that if im working for a studio and giving a piece of my earnings to the owner i would rather that the owner be skilled in promoting the shops artists, studios and bringing custom through the door than tattooing, if there bad at that then i may aswel just open my own shop and hire a PR agent. if theyre good at both then thats fantastic but as most of us know its hard to find the time to be good at both