Derek Schlotter started Capital Tattoo Company in 2010 with a studio in downtown Jefferson City. Now, he hopes to continue growing the business in downtown California.
Schlotter, a 38-year-old native of Jefferson City, no longer owns Capital Tattoo Company, but still works there as a tattoo artist and body piercer. Kim Aung, 27, is the new owner, and Jeff Roberts is the studio's other tattoo artist.
"I want to focus on my art and fine-tune it," Schlotter said. "Capital Tattoo has always done good, and I have no doubt it's going to continue to do good. Kim has a very good head on her shoulders and she's going to do fine."
After closing his original studio in July, Schlotter could have picked a new location in Jefferson City. However, he decided to move the business to California. The new shop, which is located at 300 South Oak Street, opened Oct. 21.
"Everybody has been really nice and welcoming," Schlotter said. "It seems like a nice place to raise a family and run a business."
Aung, also a native of Jefferson City, agreed: "We haven't heard anything negative," she said. "Everybody is pretty excited."
Aung and Schlotter, both of whom now live in California, are confident they can attract new customers, but they also have kept in contact with some of their loyal customers from Jefferson City.
"Most of our business is repeat," Schlotter said. "We do quality work and we do it cheaper than most people in the industry. We don't believe tattoos should cost an arm and a leg, so we don't charge an arm and a leg.
"We're always welcoming new customers. A lot of people here in town seem to like tattoos, from what I've seen already. We're going to be tattooing quite a few of them, I'm sure."
Charles Rehagen, who got four tattoos from Schlotter in Jefferson City, recently had work done in California.
"Derek has good prices. He's sensitive to your needs. The sterilization is good. It's definitely good conversation while I'm in here," Rehagen said. "All and all, going through Capital Tattoo, I can't say I've found a better tattoo parlor to go through. I've recommended a couple people to come here."
As with any business, tattoo parlors must abide by strict safety regulations. Keeping the needles clean and sterile, and regularly cleaning a tattoo while its being applied, are important. Capital Tattoo Company is licensed through the state's Division of Professional Registration, which oversees the Office of Tattooing, Body Piercing and Branding.
"We try to go above and beyond the state regulations," Schlotter said. "We try to lead the path on cleanliness and having a nice, clean environment to get a tattoo. The last thing you want is to get an infection. We see ourselves as both a museum and a doctor's office."
Although he doesn't expect to turn down a customer's idea for a tattoo, Schlotter believes people should make sure it's something they really want. For a $20 deposit, which goes toward the tattoo's final price, Schlotter and Roberts can sketch designs for the customers to view before any work is performed. Tattoos can start as low as $50.
"We encourage people to bring anything they have for reference, but we like to draw our own art," Schlotter said. "That way, they get a nice, unique tattoo of their own they can be proud of."
Capital Tattoo Company, which also offers body piercing starting at $35, is opened Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The studio is opened by appointment only on Sunday and Monday. The phone number is 573-645-3830.