Life Before Tattooing |

[@taramcgaffin]

I am currently one of your students in the tattoo Excelerator program and I can’t wait to quit my current job as a seamstress. I sew BIG industrial things such as Shade Sails, Boat Covers, Caravan annex & the list goes on… Tattooing has been the dream since the early 2000s… better late then never ☺️🤘🏼 Thanks to you both for allowing me to reach my dreams in a way that just works! ❤️🙌🏼😘

[@Tattooing101]

Awesome! Hope to see your progress in the group :)

[@Brie.ann220]

Hell yea girl 🤘🏻you got this!

[@Brie.ann220]

So, I am currently an apprentice and this is my 2nd apprenticeship. First time was 12 years ago when I was 20 and I apprenticed for a little over a year. Ended due to harassment and just being taken advantage of with money and time. As you guys are aware of it was not easy to try to be a tattoo artist 12 years ago as a woman. So I tried to fill the void of being a tattoo artist with other careers. Was a cocktail waitress and bartender for 3 years( I’m in Las Vegas).Went to hair school and Stopped doing hair after 4 years. I hated it. Then switched to makeup, and although it was fun there was too much politics and not enough money. Even going independent was extremely difficult because of the up front costs and competition with other independents in a very over saturated industry. After that became a representative for an insurance company, got my property and casualty license and sold insurance for a while before getting promoted to a resource and escalation supervisor. It paid the bills ,however, I was extremely depressed, but I had 3 kids to feed and got stuck for 6 years. Got a wild hair up my ass one day and decided to get a tattoo. Met my now mentor and was blown away with how the technology had changed and that everything was disposable and there were no tube to scrub( swear the guy would purposefully get as many tubes dirty as possible the first round ) we got talking about my prior apprenticeship and she told me she was taking apprentices at the end of the year, my husband told me to quit my job and that he could cover the bills and here I am, 33 ,finally chasing my dreams :) there are a couple young girls in our shop and when I tell them about my previous apprenticeship they are shocked at how toxic it was.

[@Tattooing101]

We love seeing people chase their dreams! I'm glad you managed to get into a good shop, it sounds like they have a good working culture going on there. All the best in your continued learning :)

[@Brie.ann220]

Thank you so much! Your channel has been a big help in my learning process. Super thankful for you guys!

[@CameronButton-ok3jq]

Currently a salaried manager for walmart. Pay us good, quality of life is terrible. Tattooing has been my dream job since i was about 15 even started an apprenticeship that only lasted 6 months and didnt even see anyone tattoo in the shop for the first 5 months. I have tattooed on and off over the years teaching myself but really want to get into your program so i can finally do what i love full time. Appreciate all the content you both put on KZbin, keep it up guys!

[@alanasnyder]

I was a caregiver right out of high school for almost a year I did that twice with two different companies. I wouldn’t say I hated the job I actually enjoyed it. But the companies weren’t the greatest. Now I’m learning how to tattoo and “working” as a stay at home mom of three little girls. I was going to college but art is something I’m really passionate about and I thought tattooing rather then sitting in a stuffy office building lol

[@TrendenOfficial]

Currently working in warehouse and going through your program but I plan on having a private shop by years end

[@Tattooing101]

That sounds awesome man, hope to see you succeed!

[@TrendenOfficial]

@@Tattooing101 Thank you 🙏🏾

[@oliviah1616]

Currently working a part time job on the weekends working with dogs and then trying to start learning how to tattoo on the week days while watching my 2 girls at home. I've gotten so tired of working for other people, I want out of this revolving door already! I want more freedom!

[@mikeparish3469]

Trying doing it when you are 57. Working on facke skin Trying to tech my self. Tried to go to tattoo shops not a good idea 😕

[@Tattooing101]

We're true believers that you're never too old to pursue your dreams

[@mikaela_hopeeeeee]

I’m working as a labor and delivery nurse on the weekends and tattooing durning the week😅 working 7 days a week at 25 is killer because I’m still trying to be 25, have fun with my friends and go and do crazy shit like 25 year olds do but I also have to be able to balance work as well

[@Michael-cb3dz]

Frist and thank yall so much for doing what yall do

[@dcaseytattoo]

Been a bank teller the last 5 years to teach myself finance. Been a theater manager, butcher at a zoo, dishwasher at an old folks home, I've done alot. My most colorful job however was working at a composite factory making the m107 and m48 cases for the military. I worked there 4 months and I was taught by a an ex con on parole for murder after 13 years in. He had kitten in big bold letters tattooed across his neck and he joked about "smokin my ass" at lunch for an extra half a sandwich daily. Oh how we use to laugh😅

[@Tattooing101]

Sounds like you've had a wild ride throughout man! But yeah definitely not messing around with a dude that has kitten tatted on across his neck 😂

[@jscott2659]

Before being apart of tattooing 101 I was working at dollar tree and going to barber school during that time I had got my first tattoo with a friend and started getting interested in becoming a tattoo artist seeing different art and always loving to draw so I asked what I have to do and the man made me his apprentice I thought it was gone be all good from there imma have both my tattoo and barber license I thought but my mentor was not in it for me to get better but strictly in for the money he told me u had to do a full payment right there and I did and from there that’s when the terror happened I had no experience he was putting me on clients and was rude and we did everything except learn about tattooing the final straw for me is when the man lied to me about getting my license going on 2years at the shop and the man kept telling me the same thing don’t worry about it and I’ll get it and yes he sent me a pic of a certificate with me and his name on it but it just didn’t seem right lol cause I didn’t learn nothing watching artist on KZbin and social media made me feel even more behind I called the tattoo board in my area and found out that he forged and replicate certificate and lost his license do to not paying it lol I’m glad they knew I was just as surprised as them but it hurt me cause he didn’t care how that could’ve affected or hurt me and this business and I got discouraged for about a year cause I would never have my license but then I found out about tattooing and seen a lot of people have same or worse problems then me and everyone welcomed me with open arms it wasn’t easy having to relearn everything I wrongfully taught but I am very thankful cause I got a new tattoo family that keeps me growing and it is one of the best decision I ever made in life

[@jscott2659]

Lol I know this long y’all this podcast really inspired me speak on what I went through in the past definitely after hearing and ready what other artist been through and I’m so thankful where I’m at today and my growth as a artist

[@ianrotundo8545]

WI started back in t he wild west. I delivered beer by day and hung around the shop by night. I since opened and closed two shops in Brooklyn and Chicago respectively but wait till you see life After tattooing. I never imagined it. Now I have Homer Simpson's job

[@Kjs_ink]

I need 8 hour podcast uploads so I can listen to them while I work🤣

[@Tattooing101]

I'm not sure many people will be tuning in for an 8 hour long podcast 🤣

[@Kjs_ink]

@@Tattooing101 probably not but I know you’ve got at least one🤣

[@rachelvogelsang177]

Can you guys please quit gate keeping where you got the download for the “Digi Pen Steady”?! We need to know the link. It’s not included in the brush packs you mentioned, and I want it more than anything being a beginner with procreate having strong, stable design lines would be amazing! Thank you 😁🙌

[@Tattooing101]

Lol I’m not gate keeping I promise the problem is I got it so many years ago I can’t remember if one of my friends made it or not so I have no idea where I got it

[@rachelvogelsang177]

Okay see I can very much appreciate a reply that just says “Hey I really just don’t remember”. Is there a way for you to share it? Haha. Like a copy and paste if you will? 🤔😁.. I would even purchase it from you if there was a way haha.

[@PsykotikTattoo_ACUS]

Odd jobs here and there, RESPECT,,🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Tattooing101]

We all gotta start from somewhere!

[@PsykotikTattoo_ACUS]

Worst job I ever got was in a haunted movie theatre, even though I was skeptical, I Could hear noises while cleaning and I swore I saw a shadow a couple of times from the corner of my eyes

[@julianterrazas4531]

I had many like Brandon. I’m currently working as a microbiology process engineer. It’s great pay, however, I can’t see myself doing this for the rest of my life! I’d go insane! Lol Craziest job I’ve ever had was an armed security “officer” (rent-a-cop) as the low life’s called me. Haha! One time, as I was on patrol in the south valley of Albuquerque NM, I saw two homeless people doin the nasty behind the dumpster of a walgreens, with needles still in the arm, and sh*t at their feet. I knew I had to quit. Lol

[@Tattooing101]

Yooooo that's wild man 😂 that would've probably been the last straw for me too yep

[@mathildahilda7058]

You are such a scorpio Brandon

[@Tattooing101]

I’m an Aquarius 😂

[@mathildahilda7058]

@@Tattooing101 lol! Well you might want to check your chart. Scorpio stellium or something

[@Michael-cb3dz]

Here in lousisana our garbage man make anywhere from 15 to 20 a hr and I think they make more in the city then the country and the 2 jobs i have right is i do trailer house leveling and my 2nd job is i work at a Convenience store and I do all my tattoo work at night

[@Tattooing101]

Sanitation workers are highly underrated!

[@themousaimum]

Brandon like “don’t do drugs.” Your so serious looking, small laugh.

[@nicholasmyers764]

An attorney, unfortunately.