Inkling it may be time for t(h)at ink removal

Many years ago there was a fella who was pretty well known — not by name, but by sight — in the streets of Perth. Few would have known his title was Kenny, but all would have recognised his face. Or what you could see of it. It was covered by tattoos. In those days, he seemed the odd man out. These days, his look is more common. I once asked Kenny if I could do a story on him. He politely declined, saying he wanted to remain “anonymous.” Now, I haven’t the muscle to house a tatt or two, but even if the bod was bigger, I wouldn’t be entertaining the thought, believing art doesn’t belong there. Maybe it does on a small scale, but certainly not like the “in ya face” display of tattoos many people get inked on their bodies. But one thought I would entertain is opening a tattoo removal company, my gut is telling me it’s going to become one of the next big things in business. Why? Simply because people change their minds. Partners, likes and dislikes, priorities, habits, loves, blah, blah, blah can — and do — swing over the years. What was important in your 20s could count for nothing in your 40s. And who wants to go around emblazoned with ink promoting someone or something you no longer love or believe in? A US-based chain of tattoo-removal clinics, aptly named Removery, is opening its first Australian outlet early in 2021. Other cities are expected to quickly follow suit. The company, which was founded by an Australian entrepreneur, is being financially backed by a Queensland rich-list couple who believe Removery could become the most profitable of the numerous businesses they are involved with. “Tattoo removal has taken off like a rocket over the last five years . . . and it will only get bigger in the next five years,” Stuart Giles said.