Changing the Guard.

[TrakHack]

Make your tattoos less memorable than the depth of knowledge you possess and the level of service you provide. You want to be remembered as that really good gunsmith with fantastic service who has tattoos rather than the tattooed guy who thinks he's a gunsmith.

 

[orionengnr]

You have been offered a lot of good advice here. What you do with it is entirely up to you.

You are the one who made an issue of tats, politics, and pants position, and you did it right off the bat. I had some good advice once upon a time... "Choose carefully the mountain you wish to die on." I wasn't smart enough to heed it at the time, and have had the opportunity to reflect upon that numerous times in my life.

Just my opinion, but it seems to me as if you have an attitude...and trust me, that will always come shinin' through. Yeah, I know of what I speak

And others will notice, just as (if you care to admit it) was your intent all along.

Being a young, angry non-conformist worked spectacularly for James Dean and a few others (and nearly all of them were/are in the music industry).

Anywhere else, especially retail? I'm hard pressed to offer one example...maybe you'll be the first. If I were a betting man, I'd bet otherwise.

Please think long and hard before you commit your family and your future to what is (at your present trajectory) a steep uphill climb.

If you have the basic (gunsmithing/salesmanship/people) skills, then long sleeve shirts are cheap, and a modicum of humility/courtesy are not an unreasonable price to pay for success. For evidence, check some of the best-regarded names in the business. They are also some of the most humble, low-key guys you will ever want to meet.

Seriously, I wish you the best of luck. Don't let your ego trip up your common sense. Been there, done that.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Having run my own business for 30+ years I can honestly say that you have already been given some great advise.

As to the tat's- I would have to agree with the general public here and say cover them up at least to some degree.
As to the "Hip Huggers" Come on man those are for WOMEN. I, as a male, have absolutely NO interest in seeing your abdomen nor would any other "straight" male looking to spend money in a store of any kind.
As to your comment of being young so you don't stand a chance- WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD! We all went through it (At least those of us that mommy and daddy didn't start us off). Old saying You have to crawl before you can walk You, like most young fellas, seem to think you will be ready to run after you finish school. That just "aint" so young man. You try to run in a small business you will trip and smash your face!

Sir and ma'am- Son I say yes ma'am to my DAUGHTERS! Politeness goes VERY far in the business world and I greet all customers with hello sir or ma'am. Even those I have known for years, know their kids names, been to their house for dinner or they to mine, hunt with them what ever! It is ingrained into my vocabulary.

Long story short (I know, too late), as others have said, knock that damn BLOCK off your shoulder if you want to go into business for yourself because with it there it will do NOTHING but weigh you down and you will surely fail. I know, conformity sucks, but again Welcome to the real world Succeeding in life requires at least a modicum of conformity in a society based on capitalism. It is just the nature of the beast. You eather learn that or go hungry. Those are your choices.

Good luck

 

[Baba Louie]

Hippies with guns! Gotta love CO!

Keep it simple, keep it real. Don't worry about anything except quality. Service is KING! Your word is everything.

Build your own gun(s). Get into local competitions. Win, place or show. Be there. With tools to help fix others guns as need be.

Hunt. Know what your hunting crowd needs and have it ready.

Machine shop experience. Get some. Set up your own small shop.

Do transfers and eshop.

Teach Hunter Safety & CCW classes.

Promote kids and safe firearm practice.

If you're staying in CO, buy a snowplow to make some extra money and help out neighbors.

Stay small but with Quality always as your guide, motto and mantra.

Niche... Build one or two high end 1911s and/or AR-15s, maybe a Garand or M1A. Maybe build the perfect "Bear" or "Tomcat" gun for walks in the mountains, a perfect Elk gun.

Associate with Quality people. CO is full of them. (and losers as well, but we won't go there)

And don't forget hiking, fly fishing, skiing/snowboarding, off-roading and photography.

I envy you two your youth and your dream. JFDI

 

[InkEd]

I forgot to mention in my previous posts that the STYLE AND PLACEMENT of your tattoos will make a big difference in people's reaction. I hope you haven't done your neck, face, head or hands. (If you have you WILL want to wear cover-up when working with th general public.)

(OT: You say you wear your pants on your hips. I hope it's not because you're wearing tight jeans like an emo kid. If it is.... stop it. Nobody wants to see your bulge. It's "European" as in, dudes that wear Capri pants, no socks with dress shoes and carry man-purses.)

I am curious how much you have in body coverage? A tattoo on your forearm isn't a "big deal" nowadays.

If you have a bunch of bright colored flash and trendy stuff you see on TV, most people will shrug it off. They may even want to talk about those TV shows. (sigh)

Poorly executed tattoos are bad. Period. They hurt the art form, make the owner look stupid and further negative stereotypes.

Lastly, if somebody does question you about your tattoos be polite. Remember we choose to make ourselves different. They will say, "that's cool! How long did that take? How much did it cost? I've been wanting to get (fill in the blank). I have this one (shows small piece
usually flash) and it hurt. That's awesome!" End of conversation. Just be nice to them.

Personally, I think the average is 1 out of every 12(ish) people under the age of 35, in the US has a tattoo. The "shock value" is diminished greatly, even in just the last 5 years. Better artwork, positive media, military and a "higher caliber" of people getting tattoos has helped greatly.

 

[Tim the student]

Dress at least semi-professionally (like in a polo), be knowledgeable, be courteous, be honest, don't call me "dude" unless you know me, and you will likely have my business. At least, I won't walk out of the door as soon as I walk in.

 

[MistWolf]

Japman said-"Give me a break. Wearing your pants below our waist = " probably involved in criminal activity?" That is quite a stretch."

I said "Below your butt"

When Nushif talked about not wearing your pants up around the belly button, I thought he was exaggerating. It had me thinking he was talking about wearing his pants low enough to expose his butt. A significant portion of guys wearing pants that low are gangsters. In a later post, Nushif clarified what he meant.

Wearing pants on the hips doesn't bother me at all as that's where mine always settle even with a belt and I find it comfortable- and no, my pants aren't "plum smugglers" either!

 

[Sam1911]

Enough fashion. I think the OP got the info he was looking for. Or got the info he needed.

Nushif, if you want this to continue, send me a PM.