Enthusiasm is contagious. If you show excitement for your product by wearing it and being up-beat, your enthusiasm will pass on to your customer.

When we first started this business I was a silent observer at one of our carts at the mall. This particular cart was located in a B grade mall in a very conservative community. What was so surprising is that this cart operator was generating as much money as the carts in the top malls. I was curious to see what this cart operator was doing to generate so much business.

First of all, she made sure she always wore a tat so everyone could see it and she usually wore more than one. Sometimes during the day, when it was slow, she would remove a tat and spray on another stencil design. This drew an audience.

I noticed when there wasn’t any interest at the cart, our employee asked the employee at the next cart if she wanted a free tattoo. Of course she said yes. Now our cart operator had a demonstration going. People were curious and wanted to watch. Now she began to have a friendly conversation with the “audience”. It never failed. When she was finished applying the free tat she had customer(s) waiting to pay for a tat.

Whenever anyone approached the cart, she always greeted them, even when she was spraying a tat. She acknowledged every person who approached the cart whether they looked like a potential customer or not. I saw her talking to little kids at the cart. The kids left and returned with mom so they could get a tat. I saw her talking to Grandmas who were standing at the cart “just looking”. They shook their heads to indicate no, but soon Grandma was getting a tat.

What I learned from this employee is:

You need to endorse your product by wearing it.

When business is slow, create a show.

Tats are fun and everyone wants to have fun. You need to be happy, and show your happiness with a smile and a friendly greeting. Treat your customer or potential customer like you would like to be treated.

Everyone who approaches your cart is important and should not be ignored.