Case Study

How Good Times Tattoo Turned Merchandise into Another Revenue Stream

For more than 25 years, Good Times Tattoo has built its reputation on exceptional artists, loyal customers, and authentic creativity. Like many established tattoo shops, word-of-mouth has always been its strongest marketing channel.

But owner Colby Burleson recognized something else could strengthen the brand while creating additional revenue: merchandise.

The Challenge

Merchandise had always been part of Good Times Tattoo’s identity, but like many growing businesses, other priorities gradually took center stage.

As the tattoo industry became increasingly competitive and
operating costs continued to rise, Colby began looking for ways to strengthen the business without fundamentally changing what made it successful.

Rather than adding more artists or expanding the shop, he saw an opportunity to reinvest in branded apparel.

“It was kind of a no-brainer. It’s an easy solution to increase profits while creating more opportunities for the business.”

The Solution

Good Times partnered with Huge Brands to bring new life to its merchandise program.

Instead of simply reprinting the same logo tees, the team collaborated on apparel that customers genuinely wanted to wear. Oversized premium shirts featuring custom artwork, heavyweight garments, and subtle tone-on-tone designs helped create merchandise that felt more like streetwear than promotional apparel.

The collaborative approach allowed Good Times to combine its artistic vision with Huge Brands’ production expertise.

“It was great to work with people who understood our style and helped blend that vision with apparel that really works.”

The Results

While merchandise wasn’t intended to replace tattoo revenue, it quickly became another meaningful part of the business.

The refreshed apparel program:

· Created an additional revenue stream outside of tattoo appointments.

· Strengthened customer loyalty by giving fans another way to support the shop.

· Increased brand visibility every time customers wore their apparel.

· Allowed the business to experiment with seasonal collections and limited designs.

Most importantly, the merchandise reflected the personality of the shop rather than feeling like generic branded clothing.

Authenticity Matters

One of Colby’s biggest takeaways was the importance of staying authentic.

Instead of chasing every fashion trend, Good Times focuses on creating products the team genuinely wants to wear. That authenticity resonates with customers who appreciate the shop’s artistic roots.

At the same time, he believes collaboration is essential.

“Come in with your ideas, but trust the people who do this every day. That’s where the best work happens.”

Looking Ahead

Today, merchandise is once again a priority for Good Times Tattoo. It supports the brand, provides incremental revenue, and gives customers another way to connect with a business they already love.

For businesses with passionate customers, branded merchandise isn’t just another product line. It’s an extension of the brand itself.

When done thoughtfully, it can become both a marketing asset and a profitable part of the business.