Author: Jake Colson, BSU student
Doorway Beyond Piercing Studio located in the center of Bridgewater just outside the rotary. It is owned and operated by Dorian McCarron, originally form Brockton, MA. Dorian started as a body piercing apprentice out of a tattoo shop in Easton in the late 1990s. Five years ago, he opened his shop here in Bridgewater. I sat down with Dorian to talk about what it means for him to run a business.
Q: So, what made you get into body piercing?
A: I just enjoy it. It’s fun decorating people.
Q: When you opened this store what was the toughest thing you went through?
A: Building permits… and inspections. Waiting for inspections to happen forces you to hold off on opening.
Q: What do you think the hardest thing about running a business in 2020 is?
A: I’d say the toughest thing is maintaining inventory, while still making sure payroll and other expenses are covered. Payroll I always keep covered and inventory comes secondary, so that’s usually what ends up being the tough part.
Q: How has the internet changed how businesses run in your line of business?
A: It makes accessibility. It’s that much easier for clientele because everybody has the internet in their hand, so they can find you much more easily instead of having to find a phone book.
Q: So, what made you get into body piercing?
A: I just enjoy it. It’s fun decorating people.
Q: When you opened this store what was the toughest thing you went through?
A: Building permits… and inspections. Waiting for inspections to happen forces you to hold off on opening.
Q: What do you think the hardest thing about running a business in 2020 is?
A: I’d say the toughest thing is maintaining inventory, while still making sure payroll and other expenses are covered. Payroll I always keep covered and inventory comes secondary, so that’s usually what ends up being the tough part.
Q: How has the internet changed how businesses run in your line of business?
A: It makes accessibility. It’s that much easier for clientele because everybody has the internet in their hand, so they can find you much more easily instead of having to find a phone book.
Q: What separates your piercing studio from other places that offer the same service?
A: I guess a few different reasons – the way we treat people because we treat people with care and compassion, it’s not just like a money grab thing for us. We’re not going to do any kind of piercing we know isn’t going to heal well. In that aspect, we have a little bit of ethics because we’re not just in it for the money. Our shop protocols are above and beyond what the state regulation would require. Our jewelry standards are superior to anything locally for sure. We’re APP members, which is the Association of Professional Piercers, so we’ve kind of self-obligated ourselves to have a minimum standard that is superior to pretty much the basic standard.
Q: What is the number one way you currently bring in new customers?
A: I’d say probably word of mouth; with the reviews that we get between multiple different platforms even in different forums on social media there’s people who talk about, you know, “where do I get my kids ears pierced that’s safe” and people who have been here will always vouch for us.
Q: Finally, where would you like to see your business in 6 months?
A: It’s hard to say, you know, I don’t necessarily strive to be so crazy busy that we’re just making money hand over fist, because then quality can get kind of turned away from. In that aspect, you’re like “Mc-piercing studio” and just cranking them out all day. So, I guess in about the same place, I mean I’m not opposed to being a little bit busier, especially on slow days, but probably about the same. As long as everybody is comfortable, everybody’s bills are paid, and customers are happy and given the time that needs to be given to them for the specific things that they want – then that’s where I want to be. Customer service is more important than money to me.
Visit Doorway Beyond Piercing Studio at: 4 Broad St, Bridgewater, MA
Contact them via:
Telephone: 508-807-4956
Email: Doorwaybeyondpiercing@gmail.com
Facebook: Doorway Beyond Piercing Studio
Instagram: @doorwaybeyondpiercing