Important Updates and Increase in Retainer Fee

In the past year and half, the studio has experienced a significant increase in expenses, particularly in rent and other fees. Our studio rent has risen considerably for both lease 39 and 40, ($20,000) and we have also faced unexpected costs related to strata fees, most likely due to the installation of a new lift and new roof.

Additionally, we have experienced an increase in strata insurance expenses amounting to an additional $20,000 a year due to being a tattoo studio.

Furthermore, I want to address the challenges I have personally been facing in managing the day-to-day operations of the studio while juggling other responsibilities and my own tattoo work. I hope you all can see and appreciate the efforts that go on behind the scenes, but this has led to burnout on my part. Continuing this way is unsustainable for me. To ensure the studio's continued growth, improve the work environment, and alleviate my workload, we have decided to hire a studio coordinator/manager. This individual will be dedicated full-time to helping push the studio forward with our branding and working one-on-one with each artist to help them build their clientele base. However, this decision comes with an additional cost for their wage.

Originally, we started the expansion with 12 artists, but going into the later part of the year, that number will drop to 9. Unfortunately, for the retainer to work successfully, we need consistency and volume. After careful consideration, we have determined that we need to adjust our studio hire costs to account for these additional expenses.

Starting from January 1st, 2024, the retainer will increase from $800 to $950 per artist.

We understand that adjusting client fees is an important consideration, but we believe that working from our high-profile studio should allow you to pass on this cost to your clients without issue. We want to provide ample time for you to make any necessary adjustments and are confident that together, we can navigate this change.

I value each and every one of you as part of the Elysian Tattoo Co family, and we recognize that this increase may present challenges for you as artists. We hope you understand the financial burdens we are facing and the rationale behind the decision. Rest assured, we are dedicated to supporting you during this transition. You are all exceptional tattoo artists, and you should feel proud of the tremendous growth you've achieved. As we approach 2024, I encourage you to have confidence in raising your prices.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to continuing our work together and fostering a thriving artistic community at Elysian Tattoo Co.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me personally.

Warm regards, Jeremy