"All of these moments were scary as hell for me at first. I pushed through and did it anyway. None of these moments were comfortable, or easy, or came naturally to me. I had to put myself in uncomfortable situations so that I could grow."

Looking back at my career journey always gives me perspective, but this time I found something that really stopped me in my tracks—a note from 2017 with my "big" career goals that honestly make me laugh now. Not because they were silly, but because I had no idea what I was actually capable of achieving. Today I'm breaking down the specific moments that transformed my career from barely making $500 a day to running a successful shop, launching a non-profit, and creating this podcast you're listening to right now. But here's the thing—it's not just about what I accomplished. It's about how these pivotal moments happened and why growth always starts with getting uncomfortable. If you're ready to understand what it really takes to level up in this industry, this episode is going to show you the blueprint.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why your current goals might be limiting your potential and how to think bigger about your career trajectory

• The real impact of getting honest feedback from industry veterans (even when it crushes your spirit)

• How attending your first tattoo convention can completely shift your perspective and open doors you didn't know existed

• Why building genuine relationships in the industry is more valuable than any technical skill you can learn

• The unexpected lessons that come from business failures and how to use them as stepping stones

• How teaching others can accelerate your own growth and get you out of creative autopilot

• Why every major breakthrough requires stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing the discomfort

• The importance of community and contribution in building a sustainable, fulfilling tattoo career

Ready to identify your own pivotal moments? Take a step back and look at your career journey—what uncomfortable situations are you avoiding that might be exactly what you need for your next breakthrough? Your future self is counting on the moves you make today.

Links:

boundbyart.com

bluebirdtattoos.com

instagram.com/tattoosbymissiblue

instagram.com/boundbyartproject

instagram.com/bluebirdtattoostudio

 

Music: Unknown Road - The Harp Project