We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paula Diamond a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Paula, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

I wouldn’t say it was for a singular customer. I try and focus on being supportive to my community. In doing this we do a lot of charitable work. A few years back my shop hosted a private, appointment only Friday the 13th event. We took all the money from the deposits paid to book the appointments and were able to pay off the entire student lunch debt for a local area elementary school. We received an acknowledgment from the city and a card signed by many of the/students and staff of that school.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got my start 16 years ago apprenticing at a shop in central Texas, near fort hood. I traveled and worked in a few different shops before settling up here in the mid-cities area. I own an all female, appointment only, tattoo and piercing studio. The shop focuses not only on providing the clients with memorable art work that will last a lifetime, but we also work hard at providing the safest and most sterile environment possible. Customer service is also an important part of the experience. We want our clientele to feel safe and comfortable. We understand that a tattoo shop can be a intimidating environment for the general public and we want you to feel welcome from the moment you walk through our doors.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for us is by far word of mouth. Every time we tattoo or pierce a client they will tell their friends. Our clients are literally walking billboards for our work. We take great pride in our work and it shows with every new client we receive. When somebody sees a beautiful piece of art on one of our clienteles bodies, they will ask them were they got it. That person will tell them about us and their experience. In that moment we have potential to get another new client.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think that our charitable efforts and our focus on putting our clients first has been an incredibly valuable asset in building our reputation within our industry. We have really strived to change the stereotypes associated with the tattoo industry. It’s not just a bunch of scary bullies trying to take your money. We understand the importance of helping grow the city that we live in through helping our community. We realize that to the clients, it isn’t just another tattoo. We know that to them it is a meaningful, life changing experience, that will be with them forever. It is our honor to be a part of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Diamondtattooparlor.com
• Instagram: @diamondink13
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paula.diamond.16
• Other: Booking email is [email protected] Shop email is [email protected]

Image Credits
Image of me working in mask with pink hair is by @beaucaptures