Chapter 45
45
NIKKO
I stood in the middle of the dusty, sunlit space, imagining it filled with sleek tattoo chairs, a waiting area decked out in vintage Miami kitsch, and walls covered in custom flash art. It had good bones: tall ceilings, exposed brick, big front windows that let in plenty of natural light. Sure, the floor creaked ominously in a few places, and the faint smell of something I couldn’t identify lingered in the air, but it had potential .
The building was shitty and not in a great neighborhood, but it was affordable. Obviously the only reason I was looking at it. I kicked at a stain on the floor. I didn’t even want to know what it was. A little Windex would buff that right out.
“It’s not terrible,” Marcus said as he looked around. “Not great, but not terrible.”
I brought him along because he knew about this stuff. It was a little awkward to ask my former boss and future competition to help me find a place to set up shop, but Marcus was a friend as well. He was the only person I knew that had any idea about running the business.
“It’s perfect,” I said, turning slowly to take it all in. “You just don’t want me to get it. ”
“Not true.” He smirked. “I just want you to come back and work for me.”
“Afraid I’m gonna steal all your business?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. “In short? Yes.”
I laughed, but the truth was, he wasn’t entirely wrong. I’d been looking at locations for my own shop for the past week, and this one ticked nearly every box. Location? Prime. Space? Decent. Ambience? A little elbow grease and some plants could fix that. But the reality? I couldn’t afford it. Rent in Miami was no joke, and that wasn’t even touching the cost of chairs, supplies, licensing, and, oh yeah, paying myself enough to eat.
“You’re quiet,” Marcus said. “That’s not like you.”
“I’m thinking,” I replied.
The agent was trying to look like he wasn’t listening. “Can I answer any questions?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Not yet. Thanks for showing me the place. I’ll be in touch.”
Marcus and I stepped out, but instead of walking to his truck, he stopped me. “Let’s get something to eat. We’ll talk. You can tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
We walked into a cafe, seating ourselves. We ordered burgers and fries along with sodas.
“What’s wrong?” Marcus asked.
“Just a lot to think about.”
“Like what?”
I shrugged it off, but he wasn’t letting me off that easily.
“You wanted me to come along to see this place,” he said. “What’s going on?”
“I guess I’m worried I’m not cut out for this. I can’t believe how high rent is and how ridiculous it is that someone’s paying two grand a month to sell overpriced vegan candles down the block. How the hell are they making it? They can’t be making enough to pay for rent, utilities, and insurance and then still have something left to put food on the table. ”
Marcus snorted. “The Miami dream, baby.” He took a swig from his soda. “You gotta understand, Nikko, everyone here is hustling one way or another. Either you swim with the sharks or get eaten. It’s tough, but you’ve got something many don’t.”
“What’s that?” I asked, not really sure if I wanted to hear the answer.
“Talent,” Marcus said firmly. “Real talent. And the balls to try something new. Most folks just keep treading water, doing the same old thing.”
I frowned down at my burger, thinking over his words. They should have been reassuring, but they doubled my worries. Talent wasn’t going to pay the bills. Grit might, but did I have enough of it?
“Look, starting anything on your own is a gamble. Sure, it’s scary, and yes, it’s expensive. But man, when it works, it’s worth every minute of the blood, sweat, and tears you’ll put in.”
I glanced at him. “Why’d you even come to check this place out with me? Are you trying to talk me out of it?”
He shook his head. “Nah, man. I just wanted to see what you’re after. I actually think it’s a good spot. And I wanted to sit down and talk to you about something.”
I gave him a skeptical look. “What’s up?”
I assumed he was going to tell me I had signed a non-compete clause. I didn’t think I did, but I had not actually read anything I signed when he hired me years ago. Marcus didn’t strike me as the type to deny me the chance to make a living, but money made people do crazy things.
“You’ve been doing good work. Even after… well, you know.”
“After you fired me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, after all your personal shit blew back on the shop.” He sighed. “I’ve been talking to Jessie—she’s been pretty vocal about how much we all miss having you around. She might’ve threatened to quit.”
“Jessie? She’s like the shop’s golden child. You’re gonna let her walk? ”
“Hell no,” Marcus said with a grin. “That’s why I’m here. She broke it down for me. Made me realize I messed up.”
I tilted my head, curious. “Go on.”
Marcus took a deep breath. “I fired you because I got scared. You know, all that drama with Samantha and the break-in. It felt like too much risk, and I panicked. But it wasn’t the right call. You’re family, Nikko. You’ve always been part of the shop’s success, and I want you back. I shouldn’t have let my fear get the best of me. I should have stood beside you. I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s fine. I get it. I would have done the same thing. But that’s not why I’m here now. I want to do this on my own.”
Marcus nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. “I figured as much but I had to try. You know I’ll support you however I can.”
I chuckled softly. “Even if I become your biggest competitor?”
“Especially then,” he replied with sincerity. “Competition makes us better. But maybe we can figure out a way to collaborate instead of just compete.”
The idea lingered. “Collaborate?”
“Yes. I’ve got a proposal.” He leaned forward. “Co-owners.”
I blinked. “Come again?”
“I’ll help you open the new shop,” Marcus said. “We’ll make it an expansion under my shop’s name, but you’ll run it. I’ll front the money, take the financial risk, and handle the boring admin crap. You focus on the creative side, building the clientele, and making it a success. It will be your shop. I’m just the guy that gets a little piece of the pie and helps you get on your feet. You don’t have to stress about getting the business license and all that shit. I’ll handle all of it.”
I stared at him, trying to gauge if this was some kind of elaborate prank. “Let me get this straight. You want me to open a shop under your brand, run it my way, and you’re willing to bankroll the whole thing?”
“Exactly.”
“Why?”
“Because I know it’ll work. And because I owe you. I let my fear get in the way before, but I’m not making that mistake again. ”
I sat back, processing. It was a solid offer. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted. Running my own shop had always been the dream, and this would give me a chance to do it without going broke or screwing it up.
“Why now?” I asked. “What changed?”
“Jessie,” Marcus admitted. “And maybe a little bit of my own guilt. You’ve been a big part of what we’ve built, and I want to grow. This is the next step, and you’re the guy to take it. I know you’re going to be the next big thing on the Miami scene. You’ve already made a name for yourself. I can’t tell you how many customers we’ve lost because you’re not there. Big customers that are addicted to ink. My revenue has already taken a hit.”
I looked at Marcus, processing everything. “This feels too good to be true.”
“Sometimes good things happen,” Marcus said with a grin.
“Not to me,” I said. “Never to me.”
I took a deep breath, considering Marcus’s offer. It was exactly the opportunity I’d been hoping for, but never thought it would actually materialize.
“This isn’t a small decision.”
Marcus nodded, understanding. “Take your time. But don’t take too long. Opportunities like this don’t come around every day. And that shop is perfect. We can get at least five stations in there. Maybe put up some walls and have two rooms for those people that want their private shit tatted.”
I chuckled. “I’m not sure there’s a big market for that.”
“Big enough. But if we’re the shop that’s got the privacy to do it, guess where they’re going to go?”
I tapped my fingers on the table, thinking. “You sure about this?”
“Yeah,” he said, holding out his hand. “What do you say? Partners?”
I hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand. “Alright. Let’s do it.”
Marcus grinned. “Welcome back, buddy.”
I smiled, feeling relief and excitement. For the first time in weeks, things were starting to fall into place. Maybe this wasn’t the life I’d imagined, but it was a good step in the right direction.
“So, tell me where do we start?” I asked.
“First things first. Location paperwork. We’ll need to secure the lease, get the proper business licenses, and start the permit process for renovations.”
I nodded, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. This was why I needed him to partner with me. I didn’t know shit. “I’ve never done any of this before. Permits?”
“That’s why you’ve got me,” Marcus said. “We’ll tackle this step by step. First up, I want you to start sketching design concepts for the shop. How do you see the space looking?”
My mind immediately started spinning with possibilities—exposed brick walls, vintage tattoo posters, maybe some Miami-inspired artwork that captured the city’s vibrant energy. This wasn’t just a shop. This was going to be my dream made real.
“Alright, I can start on those sketches tonight,” I said, invigorated by the project ahead.
Marcus nodded approvingly. “Meanwhile, I’ll start cracking on the financial projections and a marketing plan to get the buzz going.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Marketing already?”
He smiled. “Of course! We need to start building anticipation now. Let’s give people something to talk about. We’ll leak some coupons or discounts for the first fifty people. Maybe even throw a pre-opening party. Get people excited about what’s coming. I’ll need to put together a business plan to get the loan from the bank.”
The idea of it all made me slightly dizzy, but in a good way. It felt like stepping onto a rollercoaster, terrifying and thrilling all at once.
“And what about staff?” I asked, knowing that a shop was only as strong as its crew.
“Let’s start thinking about artists you respect and would want to work with,” Marcus suggested. “We want a cohesive unit. The last thing you need is people that are going to challenge you and try to push the boundaries. This is your show. You get to choose who you want working for you. It’s a big responsibility. Make sure whoever you bring on board shares your vision and work ethic.”
I nodded. It made sense. This was more than just hiring workers. It was about assembling a team that would shape the culture of the shop. I didn’t want people that did shitty work that earned us a bad reputation.
“Also, think diversity,” Marcus continued. “Not just in skills but also in styles. You want to offer something no one else does, right? Think outside the conventional box. Maybe someone who specializes in surrealism or an old-school specialist with a modern twist.”
The wheels in my head were already turning, envisioning a lineup of artists that could truly set us apart. “I like that. A mix that can cater to all tastes but stands out as unique in the market.”
“Exactly.” Marcus leaned back, his expression serious yet excited. “Nikko, this is your chance to redefine what a tattoo shop can be. Not just a place for ink but a space where art and community meet. A cultural hub.”
The concept felt ambitious yet entirely possible. He was making my head spin. It wasn’t quite as simple as hanging my shingle and opening a shop. Honestly, I would probably fail within a month or break three hundred different laws. I was glad he was taking me under his wing.
I needed it.