Photo courtesy of Yonas Haile
Bright, shiny and different… sounds like a brand new toy doesn’t it? Not to be played with, but flaunted as a new fan accessory, khalifagold tattoos are the first product of Power Innovations and may be the catalyst for heightened Pirate pride.
Senior Yonas Haile, a social and behavioral sciences major with an international relations and political science minor from Seattle, is the founder of Power Innovations, has hit the campus thoroughfares to promote and sell his company’s first innovation: flash tattoos that are easy to apply and last about four to five days.
Haile has launched his own tattoo brand, khalifagold— he eventually plans to infuse real gold into the designs that he creates himself.
Haile faces competition from big name companies including Bloomingdales and Forever 21, but with the right spin, his tattoos may outshine the competition, at least on campus.
“Even though it’s a product that’s already out there, there’s opportunity to expand it into different areas,” Haile said.
Haile said he plans to create a tattoo design with the Seton Hall logo providing for a boost in school spirit. Haile hopes to play into the rebranding process the university has embarked on with the marketing firm Lipman Hearne, reinventing the university’s image.
“I want my company to use these creative accessories and give students a new, fun, innovative way to show our brand,” Haile said.
Haile refers to the tattoos as a silent marketing technique. Without saying a word, a student with a SHU inspired tattoo will play a role in the rebranding process.
With less than 20 days left before the basketball season opener, Haile has made it a goal to have students rock this fan accessory to the big game. He said the tattoos will definitely catch the cameras. Haile had spoken with Lisa Metz, executive assistant to Seton Hall’s president, who helped direct him to the appropriate departments to further his efforts.
“I love to see our students succeed,” Metz said in an email. “I am a big believer in school spirit and love to see when people show their Pirate Pride!”
The tattoos are just one part of the big plans Haile holds with his company. Haile equated Power Innovations to a think tank where a diverse group of people will come together to discuss and brainstorm new innovations of old products.
Haile said the company will serve almost as an Amazon or eBay in that way, but all of the products they sell or license must have a specific and positive change.
As for future products, Haile said the door is open. He is optimistic for what is to come.
“It’s only a matter of time until everything follows through, it’s going to be a good journey,” Haile said. “As an entrepreneur doing things, you’re either going down or up. It’s a rollercoaster ride, but you have to keep faith that it’s all going to be worth it at the end.”
Haile said he wants SHU to be the first university to use his products but he has his sights set on expanding to other schools.
Haile launched his website on Etsy just days ago where you can go to explore and purchase khalifagold tattoo designs: etsy.com/ shop/PowerInnovations.
Michelle Foti can be reached at michelle.foti@student.shu.edu.
