02-23-2006, 01:40 PM
Tattoos stick on a purpose
Finding its niche by helping children who might get lost, Royal Oak firm makes a mark.
Neal Haldane
The Detroit News
23rd February 2006
ROYAL OAK -- Cindi Aldrich wants preschoolers to wear tattoos.
But instead of Dora the Explorer or Big Bird, Aldrich's tattoos contain a simple message: "If I am lost, please help me be found."
Parents place the temporary tattoo on a child's arm, write their phone number in the space provided, and feel reassured if their child gets lost on a field trip or at a park. The idea came to Aldrich a decade ago when she was late to pick up her son, who was so flustered he couldn't tell a caregiver his phone number.
After that, Aldrich noticed her son wearing a temporary tattoo and the idea for Tattoos With A Purpose was born.
"I saw a way to use tattoos for a useful purpose, not just body art," Aldrich said. "I meshed the two ideas together, but it took years before I actually started the business."
She launched the company in 2003 but was unable to devote enough time to it until last year. While she has sold a couple thousand tattoos, Aldrich expects additional sales this year at amusement parks. She hopes to line up a deal with a water park in New York for the tattoos, which can last up to seven days, even after swimming and exercise.
"It's a great way to get them when they need them," she said about the amusement park plan.
Robin Jensen of Warren said the tattoos she applied to her two young boys provided some peace of mind during a family vacation to Cedar Point. "It worked out really well," Jensen said. "They're perfect for theme parks and zoo trips. The kids don't even know it's there."
Jody Malec of Sterling Heights uses the tattoos on her son, Jacob, who is nonverbal. "They take a lot of field trips, so I put one on his arm before he goes," Malec said. "I feel very secure and comfortable knowing that if someone finds him, they will know who he is and who to contact."
Aldrich offers six designs and has expanded her product line. Tattoos for children with autism let people know about the condition. Adult tattoos for people with Alzheimer's disease state "If I am lost or appear to be wandering, please help me be found."
In addition, Aldrich created tattoos for the Special Olympics of Michigan and offers the option of adding names of amusement parks, schools, sports teams, camps or corporate logos to the decals.
Tattoos With A Purpose also offers a fundraising kit for organizations looking for new ways to raise money.
Kits, with six tattoos, marker, towelettes and wipes at $9.99 each are the most popular option, but parents can buy individual tattoos for $1.99 each.
Finding its niche by helping children who might get lost, Royal Oak firm makes a mark.
Neal Haldane
The Detroit News
23rd February 2006
ROYAL OAK -- Cindi Aldrich wants preschoolers to wear tattoos.
But instead of Dora the Explorer or Big Bird, Aldrich's tattoos contain a simple message: "If I am lost, please help me be found."
Parents place the temporary tattoo on a child's arm, write their phone number in the space provided, and feel reassured if their child gets lost on a field trip or at a park. The idea came to Aldrich a decade ago when she was late to pick up her son, who was so flustered he couldn't tell a caregiver his phone number.
After that, Aldrich noticed her son wearing a temporary tattoo and the idea for Tattoos With A Purpose was born.
"I saw a way to use tattoos for a useful purpose, not just body art," Aldrich said. "I meshed the two ideas together, but it took years before I actually started the business."
She launched the company in 2003 but was unable to devote enough time to it until last year. While she has sold a couple thousand tattoos, Aldrich expects additional sales this year at amusement parks. She hopes to line up a deal with a water park in New York for the tattoos, which can last up to seven days, even after swimming and exercise.
"It's a great way to get them when they need them," she said about the amusement park plan.
Robin Jensen of Warren said the tattoos she applied to her two young boys provided some peace of mind during a family vacation to Cedar Point. "It worked out really well," Jensen said. "They're perfect for theme parks and zoo trips. The kids don't even know it's there."
Jody Malec of Sterling Heights uses the tattoos on her son, Jacob, who is nonverbal. "They take a lot of field trips, so I put one on his arm before he goes," Malec said. "I feel very secure and comfortable knowing that if someone finds him, they will know who he is and who to contact."
Aldrich offers six designs and has expanded her product line. Tattoos for children with autism let people know about the condition. Adult tattoos for people with Alzheimer's disease state "If I am lost or appear to be wandering, please help me be found."
In addition, Aldrich created tattoos for the Special Olympics of Michigan and offers the option of adding names of amusement parks, schools, sports teams, camps or corporate logos to the decals.
Tattoos With A Purpose also offers a fundraising kit for organizations looking for new ways to raise money.
Kits, with six tattoos, marker, towelettes and wipes at $9.99 each are the most popular option, but parents can buy individual tattoos for $1.99 each.