“Spring 1999.” When you headed into the tattoo parlor to get those words inscribed across your back, it seemed like a good idea at the time. But times change. Now, thanks to all of those people who want to remove or get their tattoos faded, there is a place you go you can trust. Removery Tattoo Removal and Fading (www.removery.com) is a team of tattoo removal specialists who get the job done comfortably and safe.
The company was born from a partnership of North America’s four largest and most trusted tattoo removal brands, which means it is empowered by decades of collective experience that makes it the largest specialized provider of laser tattoo removal and fading services in the world.
Removery works directly with its laser manufacturers to remain at the forefront of new technologies. It also partners with tattoo artists across the country to help guide customers through the removal or cover-up process. And thanks to programs like the Ink-nitiative program, it is helping make a difference in the communities it serves. Ink-nitiative is a community outreach program designed to provide safe, effective and free tattoo removal on the hands, neck, and/or face of people who were formerly incarcerated, gang members, or survivors of human trafficking.
We sat down with Jessica Fumo, Manager of Facilities, and Andrew Peterson, Senior Director of Construction and Real Estate, to get their thoughts on where the Removery brand is heading.
Tell us about your name change. What type of in-store refreshing and branding are you doing?
Jessica Fumo: In early May 2020, we officially announced our rebrand and new company name, Removery LLC. We are the leading specialty tattoo removal company in the United States and Canada with nearly 40 locations, and counting. As part of our rebrand, we repainted and rebranded interior and exterior signage and graphics.
What was the driving factor behind the name change?
Fumo: The rebrand brought unity, encompassing four brands: The Finery, Eraser Clinic, Precision Laser and Invisible Ink. We pride ourselves on being on the leading edge of tattoo removal and fading technology utilizing innovative PicoWay® laser equipment from Candela.

“We are looking at 200-plus locations over the next five years. The growth comes from many aspects including the actual build outs, protocols and processes as well as people and teams.” — Jessica Fumo, Manager of Facilities

Give us a snapshot of Removery brand?
Fumo: Removery (Formerly Tattoo Removal Partners LLC) was formed in 2019 by Normanby Capital to capitalize on the opportunity to be the global leader in the rapidly emerging and highly fragmented tattoo removal market, which is projected to reach $5 billion by 2023. The group has collectively performed in excess of 200,000 treatments and understands that there is as much art in removing or fading tattoos as applying them.
The Removery staff is highly trained and passionate about what they do to make it easy for those with unwanted tattoos to fade or remove them in the most accessible locations with the best technology and safe, comfortable environments.
What type of consumers do you target?
Fumo: Anyone who has a tattoo they want to remove, the person with tattoo regret or the person whose tattoo is fading and they want us to create new artwork over an existing tattoo. The rule of thumb for tattoo covers is twice as large and twice as dark. Fading allows our guests the opportunity to change their tattoo artwork without using the rule of thumb in most instances.
How does the overall design of your place cater to what today’s consumers are looking for?
Fumo: We provide an environment that our guests can feel safe and comfortable, which represents our professionalism while minimizing or eliminating a clinical feel.
What is your short-term strategy?
Fumo: In the short-term, our strategy is heavily driven by COVID-19. Our future plans are still under way, but right now with the pandemic, our first and most important goal has been the safety of our employees and clients.
What is the best piece of advice you can offer to other brands on how to deal with the what is happening right now?
Fumo: Plan. No one was prepared for a pandemic, but now we have an opportunity to prepare. I love the 3 P’s: Plan, Prepare and Process. Keep a solid network and utilize partners for resources. Get involved in roundtable discussions where retailers and suppliers can brainstorm and share ideas, policies and procedures.
Walk us through how and why your locations are designed the way they are?
Andrew Peterson: We have created an inviting, comfortable and safe space for our guests by incorporating hand selected furniture, finishes and overall space layout with the right flow to optimize the guest experience.
What is the biggest issue today related to the construction side of the business?
Peterson: It is not necessarily the biggest issue today, it is on an ongoing opportunity every year—finding the right GC to build out the locations and growing that relationship.
Talk about sustainability. What are you doing?
Fumo: We are at the beginning of our growth—35 locations and counting.

“We have created an inviting, comfortable and safe space for our guests by incorporating hand selected furniture, finishes and overall space layout with the right flow to optimize the guest experience.” — Andrew Peterson, Senior Director of Construction and Real Estate

What type of opportunities do you see moving ahead?
Fumo: Growth. We are looking at 200-plus locations over the next five years. The growth comes from many aspects including the actual build outs, protocols and processes as well as people and teams. It’s exciting now, but the plans for the next couple years are even more exciting.
What trends are you seeing/expecting?
Fumo: We are normalizing tattoo removal and fading for everyone.
What is the secret to creating a “must visit” location in today’s competitive landscape?
Fumo: Providing exceptional service and setting the right expectations for our guests.
What is today’s consumer looking for?
Fumo: Are we able to remove or fade their tattoo and what the outcome will look like.
What is the biggest item on your to-do list right now?
Fumo: Rebranding is our biggest item. It is going great and looks amazing.
Describe a typical day?
Fumo: No such thing right now. As we grow, we have normal day to day responsibilities as well as the future planning for construction, facilities, procurement and real estate. Plus, we have prepared and implemented new protocols and processes for COVID-19. We wear many hats, as most do in the facilities and construction industry.
Tell us what makes your brand so unique?
Fumo: As we are just wrapping up our rebrand, we will be the largest tattoo removal and fading company in the US, but that doesn’t make us unique. It is our passion and integrity to support our guests through their journey of tattoo removal and fading. We appreciate being part of and contributing to our guests tattoo removal and fading journey. Our employees and guests are what makes the magic happen.
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One-on-One with…
Jessica Fumo, Manager of Facilities, Removery
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
It is being able to help. I love that my experience and knowledge in the industry provides better guidance and structure at the store level, which then allows their jobs to be that much easier and less stressful, as well as at the corporate level for building the process and having the confidence in decision making. The trust the teams have in me is the most rewarding part of my job.
What was the best advice you ever received?
Probably since I was a toddler, the best advice has been, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” My mom would tell me this over and over, and now I tell this to my kids. They have that famous Vince Lombardi quote hanging on their bedroom wall.
What is the best thing a client ever said to you?
They respected my sincerity and how genuine and “real” I am. That means a lot to me as simple as it sounds.
Name the three strongest traits any leader should have and why.
I have four: Confidence, Integrity, Passion and Inspiration, because when you love what you do and give it your all, you attract others to follow. I always tell my kids (and I often remind myself) to lead by example.
How do you like to spend your down time?
I enjoy spending time with my family, watching romcoms and shopping. For the past year, I have been happily busy supporting and being co-chair of the Connex Women in Action Committee. We are currently doing fundraising to award two women in the facility management (FM) industry a scholarship. It is near and dear to my heart, and we are so determined to reach our goal and continue to support women in FM.
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Socially Speaking…
Website: removery.com/
Removery Contact page: removery.com/contact-us/
FaceBook: @Removery.us
Twitter: @removery_us
LinkedIn: Removery
Instagram: @removery.us
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Story by Michael J. Pallerino, editor of Commercial Construction & Renovation magazine. Over the past 30-plus years, he has won numerous awards, including the “Jesse H. Neal Editorial Achievement Award,” recognized as the Pulitzer Prize for business-to-business magazines. He can be reached at mikep@ccr-mag.com.