Last week, I ended my blog by saying that I had decided on the mall in my area where I want to set up my kiosk.  The deciding factor for me was that one mall was a bigger draw for the teenage customer than the other mall; all the other factors seemed to be close to equal.  However, I will negotiate with both malls on rent so I have a negotiating tool to help me get the best deal with the mall I actually want to enter.  Let me say that most malls have their rent rates set by the head office so rent may or may not be negotiable.  But you will never know if you could have gotten a better deal if you don’t ask.  Also if they know they have competition for your business, they may be more willing to make concessions to get your business such as perhaps letting you go in one week early, rent free, before you are scheduled to open for business.

The information in last week’s blog could be gathered by making a phone call to the mall.  Now that I have all the background information I need, I can call and make an appointment with the leasing agent at the mall.

One important thing you should know before your meeting with the leasing agent is that you should not use the word “tattoo”.  “Airbrush body art” or “tat” is a more conservative definition and will not raise as many red flags as the word “tattoo”.

Be prepared to address all of the concerns of the leasing agent:  Appearance of the cart, Quality of the product and appropriate placement of the tat on the body.

You can use some of the photos on our web site to give the leasing agent an idea of what the cart will look like when it is set up.  Instruct them to go to www.TatStore.com, click on “information” on the left side of the home page, then click on “carts in malls“.  They may suggest that you use the “visual display expert” from the mall to design your cart.  The cost for this service is pretty steep – $500 or more.  This is one service you should decline.  I think you can come up with your own design by using the photos on our web site.

Tell them you will be using the highest quality, longest lasting body ink available.  The ink is composed of FDA approved ingredients.  You may also want to bring a couple of the stencils to show them.

Bring a copy of the Marketing Portfolio to the initial meeting with you. Contained in the Marketing Portfolio is a sheet with the word “Affidavit” at the top.  This Affidavit states that the signatory of the Affidavit will not put a tat in an inappropriate location on the body.  Tell the leasing agent that you will have all your employees sign this affidavit and you will see that it is strictly enforced.  You may want to leave a copy of the Affidavit with the leasing agent to attach to your application.

After you have filled out an application, your idea for a kiosk will need to be approved by the mall god.

Before you leave that initial meeting, you may want to drop a few hints about your meeting with the leasing agent at the other mall in your area.  Remember, this is a time when malls are beating the bushes for business but they will give you the impression that they are in high demand to get the most money from you but I think, at this time, all the cards are in your favor.