Shop rivalries
 

Ive only been tattooing for about a year now, and the shop i apprenticed at and now work for, for some reason has an insane rivalry with another local shop. but its not like just battling for clients... these guys have literally shown up to at our shop with guns and a few fist fights have broken out. Even though i knew were not trying to cause trouble i know it makes us look like a joke and thats the last thing i want for my career... I try to keep the peace but im still just "the new kid" to them and what i say has no bearing to them... I need to get out of here... a buddy of mine wants me to move to Asheville, NC with him but being so young in the industry and my portfolio isn't the strongest just yet... im afraid of going down there and being laughed out of every shop i go into then i don't know what id do... Can anyone help me out on here cause i know if i stay where im at any longer my career could end before it even starts but if i move on to early i could risk not getting into a shop and right now these are my only two options so if i fail in Ashville, Im going to have to come back to PA, back to nothing.
Any advice would help me alot, because i wouldnt even know the best way to approach another shop in hopes of a job.

Re: Shop rivalries
 

Whoa....
That sounds pretty wild.
What do you think your best option is?

Re: Shop rivalries
 

good art will get you a job anywhere.

Re: Shop rivalries
 

get the f@#k outta there man but be prepared to start over at square one at whatever shop you land at. thems are just the breaks. nobody's ever said getting into the business is easy. i'd say shoot me a portfolio but the last charity case i took in blew up in my face.

sorry dude, wish you luck

Re: Shop rivalries
 

yea im def gonna roll im not about to get shot over someone elses dumb s&!t... im not expecting to get any hand outs, if i have to wash dishes for next to nothing and bug the hell out a shop with artwork until they crack i will... ive done it once im sure i can do it again lol

Re: Shop rivalries
 

and thanx for the input guys... hey Dray i was wondering if maybe you could check out the the work i posted on the "Post your Work" thread and give it a look over kinda like you did on the ones somebody posted before? id really appreciate any input i could get

Re: Shop rivalries
 

If you move to asheville go to Diamond Thieves ..Daron James owns that shop and his is a pretty cool cat. He may can help. Asheville is a pretty awesome city so check into it.

Re: Shop rivalries
 

At my shop I keep my mouth closed about the other shops in the area, I don't bash their work or them in general. I just concentrate on educating myself further and getting better. And consistently I am gaining new clients that used to go to the other shops. And not because I am out there telling people how bad they suck it's because I am taking care of my clients. Take care of your clients.

Re: Shop rivalries
 

^^^
yep

Re: Shop rivalries
 

Thats crazy. At least i can say that the decent shops here in town have a good competition with each other but most of the artists with their s&!t together are friends and bulls&!t with each other. go to shows and the bar together and talk s&!t on each other. But its all in good fun and competition to push each other.