Veteran tattooer Joseph Swanson shares his 28-year journey through the tattoo industry, from his early days in Monterey, CA, to becoming a California Highway Patrol officer, to launching one of the first tattoo podcasts, and eventually helping lead Tattoo Pro—a CRM built specifically for tattoo shops. He reflects on the evolution of tattoo culture, the need for artists to embrace digital tools, and why shops must modernize to thrive in today’s ultra-competitive market.

Topics include:

• The shift from flash to custom tattoos
• Building community and educating artists
• Starting the first tattoo podcast
• Lessons from business school and law enforcement
• Challenges running a tattoo shop without systems
• The power of CRMs like Tattoo Pro for lead management, client communication, bookings, waivers, reviews, and payments
• Why old-school shops are getting left behind
• How digital tools help artists stay focused on art—not admin

Bottom line: If you’re a shop owner or artist not using tech to run your business, you’re leaving money and opportunities on the table.

If you'd like to talk to us about your marketing go to www.ink-link.com

If you're interested in learning more about TattooPro, you can check them out at tattoopro.io