Page 24 - Robeson Living Spring 2019

Earl Noble sanitizing before
his next client

“it sounds pretty cool.” Brown said as the business has Although the Fayetteville area is largely populated by mili-
grown it has been unmistakably evolving and improving. tary individuals and families, “We do a tremendous number
“It’s better now than it ever has been,” he said. of civilians,” he said, and much of the shop’s business is
done with young people and young families. He described
The business has created various marketing campaigns to how finding this niche market has been beneficial. Most
connect to potential customers, catering to those who have shops are ‘no entry’ for anyone under the age of 18, but if
never been in a tattoo shop before, who have “never in the a large part of the customer base are young families with
past considered getting a tattoo,” but “are coming in now children, not allowing the children inside is more than just
because it is more mainstream.” Evolution Ink, Brown an inconvenience to the parents. There is a requirement that
said, is “changing the dynamic” in regards to tattoos be- an adult be present with the child in the waiting area, and
coming increasingly more accepted, which is evident in the kids are not allowed in the tattoo rooms while the artist
the diverse customer base the business serves. “We cater is working. Allowing kids inside Evolution Ink is akin to
to a wide depth of people,” he said and noted there is a parents having their children with them at the grocery store,
split between the numbers of civilian customers versus barber shop, or nail salon, he said. Alienating a large part of
military customers: approximately 60 percent versus 40 the customer base by prohibiting the presence of children
percent, respectively. would certainly affect the business negatively, for both the
client and the shop.
Brown said he wants it known that he and the staff appre-
ciate the military clients who choose Evolution Ink, so for He said that inviting in families is encouraged by his wife
those with a valid military ID, weekday promotions are Betty, who works to ensure that Evolution Ink is a comfort-
available every Monday through Thursday. On Monday, able, safe, and clean environment. The shop has an exten-
military customers receive a free t-shirt, on Tuesdays get sive cleaning routine and, in addition to the adherence to the
ten dollars off a tattoo, on Wednesdays go home with a ten county and state health codes, the cleanliness of the shop
dollar gift card, and on Thursdays leave with free aftercare further promotes Evolution Ink’s dedication to the wellbe-
products. The military discounts even extend all the way ing of its customers and their little ones. “We just want to be
to the coast, where Marines from Camp Lejeune receive known as family friendly,” Brown said.
$50 off to compensate them for their travel expenses.
Brown detailed the health code standards that must be up-

Page 23 Page 24 Robeson Living ~ Spring 2019