BUSINESS INSIDER
PHOTO BY JOHN ROSE
Matt, Becky and Jake share the same relative values
TATTOO, PIERCING AND RETAIL
THE SHARP PRACTICE Becky Faithfull along with her partner Matt Cook, is the owner of The Sharp Practice. The Catherine Street tattoo and piercing shop also specialises in laser tattoo removal, hair removal, and semi-permanent make-up, which is carried out by Becky’s eldest son Jake. Here she talks botox, family and tattooing with ashes... Where do you hail from, and how and how did you end up in Salisbury? I was born in Bristol, and we came to Salisbury 18 years ago as felt it was better for the children to grow up in. How did yourself and Matt start out in this business? Matt was originally an amazing airbrush artist, and we used to do the bike shows all over the country, selling t-shirts and jackets - all of an air brushed bespoke designs. I would do tie-dye and sold a variety of bike related stock. By the end, we had one of the biggest stalls on the circuit. This was our weekend work though – during the week we were tattooing in a small studio in Wincanton. The tattooing took over as it got busier and bigger, as Matt got more well known. So what is story and background to The Sharp Practice? It is a family run business, started by just myself and Matt. I would pierce and he would tattoo, this is when we were located in Winchester Street, Salisbury. From there, we outgrew the premises and moved to our current Catherine Street address.
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Is there someone in business that you admire and try learn from? My father – he was an amazing man. He ran a farm and worked extremely hard. From a young age I helped out, I would bag up manure and sell it, and assisted with the haymaking. I also sold vegetables from the orchard and I even bred rabbits and sold them. What advice would you give to other people who are thinking about taking the plunge into starting their own business? Firstly consider whether there is enough demand for what you are doing. Also location is key, as well as the financing aspect, working out bills and costings, rates and staff, with staff possibly being one of the utmost importance. I am so proud of my staff.
ADVANTAGES OF IT BEING A FAMILY BUSINESS ARE FAMILY. THE DISADVANTAGES? FAMILY!
How did the children get involved? The kids, as they got older, helped in the shop and the café, then they did their apprenticeships with Matt and started tattooing in the shop. What are the advantages and disadvantages of it being a family business? The advantages are the family, and the disadvantages are the family! Any exciting plans in the pipeline? We are delighted with our latest service – the botox and dermal fillers. The consultation, and procedure shall be performed by a fully qualified medical doctor trained in aesthetics.
Have you noticed any recent trends in tattoos? There was a time when tribal was really popular, along with stars and black bird silhouettes. Also, if someone famous has a tattoo, then we will get asked to reproduce something similar. However, more and more, I do feel people know their own mind and they have their own ideas – the internet is an endless source of inspiration. Any memorable moments with clients? One guy came in and had some really awful tattoos of naked ladies on his chest, which he hated. He had them lasered off and the results were not only fantastic, but their removal changed his life for the better as his confidence was so increased. What has been your most unusual request? We have been asked to tattoo using a loved one’s ashes, both human and of an animal. For more: The Sharp Practice, 2/8 Catherine Street, Salisbury. tel: 01722410148; www.sharp-practice.com
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