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This month Daniel Stoops, Marketing & Acquisitions (Conversions) Specialist, at NWCDC chatted with Heartbreaker Tattoo, Piercing, and Artist Cooperative in Spokane. Here's that conversation:
Q: Tell us your name, role, & title? A: Ilia Lyons - Founder, Owner & Artist
Q: Type of coop? Worker, Producer, Customer, Etc? A: We are an artist co-op, a community of artists who all hang out together, creating and selling art, including a full tattoo and piercing studio.
Q: How did the coop get started? A: My husband and I decided on a new career path, a tattoo studio, about a year and a half ago. Once we started making our business, we decided to make it everything we'd wanted and included a full art gallery for local artists to display their art. We wanted to build a community instead of just a business.
Q: Number of years in operation? A: We opened December 2023.
Q: Number of employees? And number of members? A: We have no employees, only members. We have 7 tattoo and piercing artists, 5 tattoo apprentices, and 36 local artists in the co-op.
Q: What's the process and what are the requirements to become a member? A: Our process is very easy and informal. As long as I have space in the art gallery, I will take new artists. An artist just comes down to the gallery, and we talk about their art, the co-op expectations, and discuss how we could fit their art in the space.
Q: How do you govern and make decisions? A: Our co-op is run like a business, with owners who make the decisions for the group. Members do not pay any fees to join, only a commission from sales, and to use the space, including art rooms and class rooms in the basement.
Q: What's the best thing about being a coop? A: Community! We’re always surrounded by creative, brilliant people, working together to see each other succeed. Real friendships have been formed between the artists, some who were really searching for their people.
Q: What's the hardest thing about being a coop? A: Managing a large number of people can always be tricky, and we find ourselves with the normal issues that come with so many minds in one place. It can be challenging to coordinate schedules and find solutions that fit everyone.
Q: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting a coop? A: Make sure your members have the same goals for your co-op as you do. Things will definitely run smoother if everyone is on the same page, working towards a common goal. |
