Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide

Coming Back From A Bad Review With Vicky Stoner

I've been tattooing for over 20 years, and a one-star review still makes my stomach drop every single time. But somewhere along the way, I learned something important: no

What Nobody Tells You About Doing It All

I've spent almost two years talking to you about business strategy, hiring, marketing, and systems, and I realized I've never really let you into my actual life. So that'

The Truth About Growing as an Artist with Vicky Stoner

When Vicki first started working at Blue Bird Tattoo Studio as our shop manager, I honestly never planned on taking an apprentice. But watching her work ethic, her hunger

Why Success Is the Best Time to Work Harder

Thanks Mana Scheduler for sponsoring this episode  Watch on YouTube A conversation with a friend who just opened her own space got me thinking about something I wish

How To Find Your First 100 Clients

If you're a new tattoo artist trying to figure out how to build a client base, you've probably heard the advice to "just post on social media" and call it a day. But that

Booking 101 for Tattoo Artists

Last week reminded me why I built systems in the first place – and what happens when you think you're too experienced to follow them. My booking day at Blue Bird Tattoo S

Dealing With Toxic People In Tattooing

Every tattoo artist has worked with someone who left them drained, second-guessing themselves, or flat-out dreading going into the shop. Toxic people are everywhere, and

What You Need And Don't Need As A New Tattooer

Starting out in this industry, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need everything before you can get started. The fancy chair, the iPad, the full ink spectru

Guerrilla Marketing For Tattoo Artists

Social media isn't the whole game, and honestly, a lot of tattoo artists are finding out the hard way that chasing likes and fighting algorithms isn't a sustainable marke

Manage your energy, not your time

If you've ever caught yourself thinking "I just need to manage my time better," this episode is going to reframe that whole idea. I've been there too, ending every day

How To Build A Healthy Shop Environment With Gabe Burgos

I'm beyond excited to bring you this conversation with my tattoo shop bestie and incredible black and gray artist, Gabe Burgos. What started as a guest spot at Blue Bird

Tattooing with ADHD: Systems over Motivation with Missi Blue

As someone who spent most of my life undiagnosed with ADHD, I'm passionate about sharing how what many see as limitations can actually be superpowers when you learn to wo

Back to the Craft: Angela Wood's Return to Tattooing After Art School with Missi Blue

Thanks to Mana Scheduler for sponsoring this episode! Mana Scheduler: https://manascheduler.com/ Seven years into tattooing and Angela Wood has already come full circl

Finding your style and making it your career with Missi Blue

Twenty years into my tattoo career, I can finally say I've built a business doing exactly what I love—and it happened because I stopped trying to please everyone else and

Staying Sharp in the Tattoo Industry with Jesse Smith

When I was an apprentice flipping through tattoo magazines, Jesse Smith's work stopped me in my tracks. Fast forward to today, and I'm sitting down with the man himself,

How To Be More Resilient with Missi Blue | Ep. 65

Building resilience isn't something you're born with—it's a skill you develop through experience, self-awareness, and intentional practice.   In this episode, I'm bre

What I Wish I Knew Before Opening A Tattoo Shop with MIssi Blue | Ep. 64

When I opened Blue Bird Tattoo Studio, I truly believed I'd just show up, tattoo, go home, and do whatever I wanted. I thought I'd work alone because I was tired of deali

How to Find More Local Clients with Missi Blue | Ep. 63

"You can't do nothing and expect people to just find you and give you their money to tattoo. You either need to get on board with social media or talk to people in person

Shiny Object Syndrome with Missi Blue | Ep. 62

I'll be honest—I've been a serial project-starter my entire career. From expanding Bluebird Tattoo Studio to opening the Bluebird Art Collective gift shop, I've chased pl

Figure out what you want with Missi Blue | Ep. 61

"You can wish and hope and dream for your goals, but that alone is not getting you anywhere." As we head into a new year, I'm reflecting on what worked, what didn't, an