The Business of Tattooing

THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 30 - SPOTLIGHT SERIES FEAT. RYAN ADAMS

In the second installment of our Spotlight Series, we sit down with Ryan Adams, owner of Hell or High Water Tattoo in Niles, Michigan, to discuss shop ownership, the actual impact of Michigan's new numbing cream regulations, and adapting to the industry slowdown. We also geek out on tattoo tech and AI, and get the story behind Ryan's other ventures, including his oddity shop, Borrowed Time, and the Mourning Museum, a death museum.   Want to see the tour of Ryan's incredible oddity shop and death museum? You have to check out the full video on our YouTube channel!   Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZyMAquvQDgY [https://youtu.be/ZyMAquvQDgY]   APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/ [https://safe-tattoos.com/]   TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org [https://tima-tattoo.org]   INKTEGRITY https://inktegrityproject.org [https://inktegrityproject.org]   SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com   JOIN ELECTRUM INSIDERS! https://electrumsupply.net   The Business of Tattooing on IG @business_of_tattooing   Rob Smead on IG @noflashninja   Ryan Adams on IG @ryanatattoos @hohw_tattoo

THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 29 - SPOTLIGHT SERIES FEAT. DAVION ELLIS

Kicking off our Spotlight Series live from Trapdoor Tattoos in Indianapolis! Rob sits down with owner Davion Ellis for a raw conversation on his unconventional journey into tattooing. We cover his 5 years of "scratching" from home, the tough love from mentor Chris Karloff that changed everything, and the vision behind building his unique, anime-themed shop—complete with iconic manga-panel floors. Davion gets real about: • The stigma of scratching & his approach to guiding new artists • His modern apprenticeship philosophy • Why client connection is everything in a slow market • Building a "nerd paradise" for anime culture in Indy A powerful story of perseverance, mentorship, and building your own legacy in the tattoo industry.   Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rlQnLCPOVPs [https://youtu.be/rlQnLCPOVPs]   APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/ [https://safe-tattoos.com/]   TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org [https://tima-tattoo.org]   INKTEGRITY https://inktegrityproject.org [https://inktegrityproject.org]   SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com   JOIN ELECTRUM INSIDERS! https://electrumsupply.net   The Business of Tattooing on IG @business_of_tattooing   Rob Smead on IG @noflashninja   Davion Ellis on IG @daviarts

THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 28 - TIMA TALKS

In this episode, Rob and Sean Brown officially launch TIMA (Tattoo Industry Manufacturers Alliance) and Inktegrity— two game-changing initiatives designed to establish industry-led safety standards, ensure product transparency, and unify the profession.   This is a pivotal moment for the future of professional tattooing.   Learn how these organizations will empower artists, hold manufacturers accountable, and protect the integrity of the craft for everyone.   Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Hb_ZayGjx2U [https://youtu.be/Hb_ZayGjx2U]   APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/ [https://safe-tattoos.com/]   TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org [https://tima-tattoo.org]   INKTEGRITY https://inktegrityproject.org [https://inktegrityproject.org]   SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com   JOIN ELECTRUM INSIDERS! https://electrumsupply.net   The Business of Tattooing on IG @business_of_tattooing   Rob Smead on IG @noflashninja   Inktegrity on IG @inktegrity_project

THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 27 - MIKEY NEWBLOOD

In this episode, we are joined by tattoo artist Mikey Newblood of Studio 617 in Marysville, Tennessee. This was the second episode filmed and recorded live from the 2025 Macabre Arts Tattoo Festival.   Rob and Mikey dive into how his shop has kept the same core crew for years, a rare feat in the tattoo industry. Mikey opens up about building a loyal community, fostering a drama-free shop culture, and the hilarious real-life struggles (like a brutal arm day leaving him too sore to plunge a toilet mid-client!) that come with the job.   This is a raw look at loyalty, longevity, and what it really takes to build a tattoo family that lasts.   Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gXDZdg0OsDk [https://youtu.be/gXDZdg0OsDk]   APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/ [https://safe-tattoos.com/]   TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org [https://tima-tattoo.org]   INKTEGRITY https://inktegrityproject.org [https://inktegrityproject.org]   SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com   JOIN ELECTRUM INSIDERS! https://electrumsupply.net   The Business of Tattooing on IG @business_of_tattooing   Rob Smead on IG @noflashninja   Mikey Newblood on IG @mikeynewblood

THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 26 - PONY LAWSON

In this episode, we are joined by tattoo icon Pony Lawson for a deep dive into his incredible career. We discuss the real state of the tattoo industry post-COVID, including over-saturation and how to stand out. Pony shares stories from his start at 14 with a homemade machine, the behind-the-scenes truth of being on Ink Master, and the massive effort behind his educational YouTube channel. We also break down his techniques for micro-realism and metallic tattoos, the use of AI in design, and his thoughts on the future. Packed with business, branding, and technical insights, this is a masterclass for any artist.   Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gdJ3_FPmTiI [https://youtu.be/gdJ3_FPmTiI]   APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/ [https://safe-tattoos.com/]   TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org [https://tima-tattoo.org]   INKTEGRITY https://inktegrityproject.org [https://inktegrityproject.org]   SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com   JOIN ELECTRUM INSIDERS! https://electrumsupply.net   The Business of Tattooing on IG @business_of_tattooing   Rob Smead on IG @noflashninja   Pony Lawson on IG @ponylawson