Vapouround magazine Special Issue 02 | Page 38

F E AT U R E Vapouround magazine staff take personal branding to new level In most workplaces there would be looks of total revulsion or horror if the boss, even in jest, suggested that his staff should get themselves permanent tattoos featuring the company logo. However four staff members here at Vapouround Magazine thought it would be a rather good idea and took their boss up on the offer. It actually all started as nothing more than a jokey comment when the company logo came up during an informal works discussion. Vapouround Magazine editor Paul Caplin had been talking about a recent show he had attended and remarked about how many people had told him that they found the logo very striking and attractive. When other people in the room told him they had also regularly heard similar positive feedback he said, half-jokingly: “If anyone would like to get a tattoo of the company logo then I will pay for it.” Four hands shot up and the loyal employees all headed off to a local tattoo parlour with £140 of the boss’s money to pay for the body art. First up were sales manager David Turner and logistics coordinator Daniel French, 32, who both decided that their inner forearms would be the ideal place to promote Vapouround Magazine. David, 42, said he had absolutely no hesitation in getting the tattoo and said he was very proud of his new ink. He said: “I had this done because I am proud to be part of Vapouround Magazine and the vaping community in general. “I love it that the workplace here is like one big happy family and I 36 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE USA am proud that this tattoo allows me to demonstrate my love for the magazine and for the vaping industry as a whole.” David added: “The logo is very striking and this tattoo is certainly a major talking point. Many people I meet already know what the logo is but, for those who don’t, I have the chance to talk to them about the magazine and about vaping as a whole. I think it is very important for people, especially those of us who are lucky enough to work in this industry, to talk about vaping and help educate people how it is saving lives every day by helping smokers quit for something far safer instead. It is of paramount importance that we get this message across. Daniel, who has three other tattoos, including one spelling out his nickname “Frenchy” on his other forearm, said: “I just love getting tattoos and this is a particularly cool logo so I just thought: ‘Why not’? “At least now I will never forget my nickname or where I work… all I have to do is look down at my arms.” Sales executive Kerrie Costello, 22, went one step further than her colleagues by adding the word ‘Magazine’ alongside the company logo on the small tattoo on her left foot. Kerrie said: “It was an impulsive decision to get it done but it was the right decision and I am glad I did so. “I love my job and there are a whole lot of people who cannot say that about the company they work for. In fact I feel like my life started when I started working for Vapouround Magazine. “Until I worked here I had never really travelled around the UK and in just four months I have already been to four different countries and met some great people in the vaping industry everywhere I have been. “It was very painful but it has been worth it. It is something I will always be able to look at and remember all the good times I had while working at Vapouround Magazine. People tell me the tattoo is very pretty and I agree that it looks great.” In fact Kerrie, who moved to Derby from London when she was a child, had previously only been to Liverpool and now she goes to vape events throughout the UK and abroad which have included New York, two trips to Paris, a vape show in Verona, Italy and a vaping conference in Amsterdam. Vapouround Magazine PA Jorgie Shaw, 21, is the final member of the tattoo club who said she volunteered to have the artwork on her ankle because she l oved the logo so much. “The logo is really cool and I am very happy with it.” she said. Editor Paul Caplin said: “My staff are all mental, but that’s what makes this magazine so special!” Finally do you have any great, unusual or just plain crazy vaping-related tattoos that you want to share with us? Send them to us via email to: [email protected] and we may print a selection in a future issue.