Eden Pod

From quitting tattooing to becoming the owner of her own tattoo business empire—Reese has an incredible story!

In this episode we discussed Reese's personal journey and growth, from being on Tattoo Nightmares just two years into her career, being blacklisted from the industry and quitting tattooing, and growing from that experience to become a mentor for other tattoo artists.

Reese is the owner of The Edge Ink, and she helps tattooers grow and scale their business while focusing on spirituality, healing wounds, and traumas. She specializes in realism and abstract realism and often includes geometric and watercolor elements in her pieces.

BOBBY JOHNSON’S SEMINAR: https://www.edenbodyartstudios.com/bobby-seminar
ALLEGORY DISCOUNT CODE: “EDEN20” https://allegoryink.com/
EDEN WINTER SYMPOSIUM: https://www.edenbodyartstudios.com/edenwintersymposium
UPLIFT DESK - STANDING TATTOO BED: https://www.edenbodyartstudios.com/upliftdesk

REESE'S IG: https://www.instagram.com/theartofreese/?hl=en
REESE'S WEBSITE: https://www.theedgeink.com/reese-hilburn
REESE'S PODCAST: https://www.instagram.com/themindofreese/?hl=en

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:28 Traveling
3:08 Ayahuasca retreat and healing 
11:37 Mentoring and teaching social media and marketing 
16:58 How to identify core values 
18:50 How to sell a product
20:40 How to get better tattoo clients
29:16 Building trust through vulnerability
35:45 Overcoming shame
40:20 Forgiving and trusting yourself 
46:05 Need for validation
51:45 Blocking haters online 
56:41 Reese’s courses and mentorships
59:50 Tattooers creating passive income
1:04:04 Developing the careers off tattooers
1:07:14 balancing your passions and finding your identity 
1:15:20 navigating an identity shift and meditation 
1:19:15 Starting a podcast

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Things most tattooers don’t want to talk about, but NEED TO: finances, retirement, taxes, the reality of our industry and social media, and more—we covered it all on this episode!

If you’re a tattoo artist or business owner, it’s imperative to learn and think about retirement strategies, how to invest and save money, how to help others with money, how to manage your tattoo studio, how to use social media to market yourself, and more. Ryan gave some incredible insight on these topics.

A Brooklyn, NY native, Ryan Roi started tattooing in 2009, is the owner of Lowdown Tattoo and the founder/CEO and head coach at The Artful Dollar.

After tattooing full-time for 13 years, Ryan has mostly retired from the craft to focus on helping other tattoo artists and small business owners learn the business, finance, and marketing sides of being a professional artist.

Ryan has his series 65 investment advisors license and provides financial advising and coaching to over 500 clients worldwide.

Taking an emotional and even spiritual approach to business, Ryan challenges the conventional model while drawing from practical and timeless business wisdom. You can learn more about what Ryan teaches on his instagram, podcast, and youtube channels where he offers free tips and resources for the modern “artrepreneur.”

BOBBY JOHNSON’S SEMINAR: https://www.edenbodyartstudios.com/bobby-seminar
ALLEGORY DISCOUNT CODE: “EDEN20” https://allegoryink.com/
EDEN WINTER SYMPOSIUM: https://www.edenbodyartstudios.com/edenwintersymposium
UPLIFT DESK - STANDING TATTOO BED: https://www.edenbodyartstudios.com/upliftdesk

RYAN'S IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryanroitattoo/
ARTFUL DOLLAR PODCAST: https://linktr.ee/ryanroitattoo
THE ARTFUL DOLLAR WEBSITE: https://www.theartfuldollar.com/

0:00 Intro
1:37 Ryan’s career growth
4:45 Your emotional relationship with money
17:25 How to structure your finances with artists as a tattoo studio owner
21:12 Ryan’s shop and The Artful Dollar
28:30 Responsibilities as a business owner 
33:23 Rapid growth in change in the tattoo industry and current trends
40:14 How to market and create content as a tattoo artist
43:05 How to hire a virtual assistant and delegate
47:17 How to communicate for marketing
55:55 How to find your identity 
1:04:04 Managing growth and setbacks as a business owner
1:07:15 How to find financial freedom
1:13:45 The saturation of the tattoo industry

1:19:33 The fundamentals of business

1:23:17 How social media can help you business

1:27:33 How to find the right audience for your podcast 

1:30:59 How to find your voice as a tattoo artist

1:37:50 How to plan for your financial future 

1:41:08 How to invest in yourself and your education

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Best color realism roses and the best mom—Monique can do it all!

In this episode, we discussed how Monique got into tattooing, how having a newborn affected her career, how to grow your career by improving your tattoos and social media, tips for color realism roses, and more. 

Monique Elizabeth is a resident artist at Black Rose Studio in Londonderry, NH. For two years she was a resident artist at Eden. She is a frequent teacher and teaches tattoo seminars often, including a presentation at our 2023 Eden Summer Symposium, and two hands-on seminars at Eden.

MONIQUE’S IG: @_vividdreams

BOBBY JOHNSON’S SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/bobby-seminar
EDEN WINTER SYMPOSIUM: edenbodyartstudios.com/edenwintersymposium
COLTON’S WEBINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/coltonwebinar
UPLIFT DESK - STANDING TATTOO BED: edenbodyartstudios.com/upliftdesk

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

MEET THE CONTENT TEAM! Well, almost all of them.

In today's BONUS episode of the podcast we sit down with Eden Content Creators Lexie Newell & Ian McKenyon to hear about their experiences in joining the Eden Team. We also dive into each of their content journeys and the rise of solent content in the tattoo industry. Everyone has inspiration, but just remember to keep it authentic and NEVER copy.

IAN'S IG: @iantheemckenyon
LEXIE'S IG: @7x7newell

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

HOST of Ink Master: Angels and contestant on Ink Master Season 8 Nikki Simpson joins the show.

In this episode, we talked about how Ink Master encourages conflict to create characters, standing out as a woman in the tattoo industry, behind the scenes of reality TV, how to succeed as a tattoo artist, and more.

Nikki Simpson is based in NYC and her speciality tattoo style is illustrative realism. She frequently works with artists teaching them how to draw and tattoo, and enjoys teaching tattoo seminars and tattoo apprentices.

NIKKI’S IG: @nikkisimpsontattoos
EVERBLACK IG: @everblacktattoostudio
EVERBLACK WEBSITE: everblacktattoo.com

ALLEGORY DISCOUNT CODE: “EDEN20” allegoryink.com
DMITRY’S DALLAS 3RL ONLY WORKSHOP: troshin.com/workshop
COLTON’S WEBINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/coltonwebinar
UPLIFT DESK - STANDING TATTOO BED: edenbodyartstudios.com/upliftdesk

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

AI is FOREVER Changing the Tattoo Industry and we dive into the topic of using AI for tattoo design creation.

Sara Fabel is a illustrative realism black and grey tattoo artist based in Los Angeles, California. She’s lived in Finland, New Zealand, Australia, England, and Portland, and achieved fame before starting tattooing with her modeling career. She’s often featured by Inked Magazine, and her artistic skills match her notoriety.

In this episode, we discussed how she designs tattoos using AI and its ethical implications, her tattoo apprenticeship and how she started tattooing, her traumatic one-day tattoo apprenticeship, and more.

ALLEGORY DISCOUNT CODE: “EDEN20” allegoryink.com
DMITRY’S WORKSHOP: troshin.com/workshop
COLTON’S WEBINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/coltonwebinar

SARA’S INSTAGRAM: @sarafabel
SARA’S WEBSITE: sara-fabel.myshopify.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Ink Master favorites Holli Marie and Katie McGowan came on the show to catch up with Deanna! No Colton for this episode--Gals just Gal-in.

In this episode, we talked about teaching tattoo seminars, the unique experience of being on Ink Master and the public scrutiny and pressures as a result of being on the show and being a woman, body positivity, tattoo conventions, Holli's new tattoo studio, and more.

Holli Marie is a traditional tattoo artist based in Middletown, Connecticut, and is the owner of Gold Tooth Tattoo Company. She appeared on season 12 of Ink Master.

Katie McGowan specializes in traditional-inspired color tattoos. She is the co-owner of Love Spell Tattoo in Little Rock, Arkansas. She appeared on season 6 and 9 of Ink Master.

Holli, Katie, and Deanna all appeared on the all-star season 14 of Ink Master.

DEANNA'S INSTAGRAM: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S WEBSITE: deannaart.com

HOLLI'S INSTAGRAM: @hollimarieart
HOLLI'S WEBSITE: hollimarieart.com

KATIE'S INSTAGRAM: @katietattoos
KATIE'S WEBSITE: lovespelltattoo.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Bobby Johnson is BACK on the podcast after winning Ink Master season 14. In this episode we talked about Bobby being recognized after Ink Master, how his life has been since winning, learning what it TRULY means to burn bridges, and a new clothing line??

Deanna was out of the studio for this episode so we had Eden resident artist Taylor Phelps fill in as a cohost with Colton.

BOBBY'S INSTAGRAM: @glendalebully
TAYLOR'S INSTAGRAM: @taylornphelps

1:26 Eden podcast BTS
3:16 Aaron Davis and top 5 breads
11:36 Being recognized from Ink Master
14:58 Survivor’s guilt and Bobby’s evolved style
20:20 Ink Master season 15 finale
25:46 Life after winning Ink Master
33:22 Dealing with stress and mental health of Ink Master 
38:20 Tattoo conventions and fake people
42:00 Ink Master bubble and new judges
44:51 Self-reflection and criticism
46:56 Freddie’s Albrighton’s tattoo style
50:55 Behind the scenes of the Ink Master finale
57:08 Taylor Phelps 
1:06:37 Several, Bobby’s clothing brand 

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Aaron Davis was a contest on Ink Master season 15 and is renowned for his Afro-Americana traditional tattoos. He speaks often on the importance of inclusivity in tattooing, and he mostly tattoos black clients with subject matters and illustrations that resonate with them.

In this episode we discussed how to build a portfolio with black skin as a tattoo artist, the societal phenomenons that can keep people from getting tattooed, how Aaron's time as a children's-book illustrator helped him to grow in his tattoo career, and how he learned to tattoo.

Our studio manager Nicole day filled in to co-host for Colton on this episode.

AARON'S INSTAGRAM: @aarondavistattoos
AARON'S TIKTOK: @aarondavistattoos

3:00 Being on camera and social media 
5:12 Afro-Americana tattoos
11:49 Tips for tattooing black people and societal pressures
20:07 How to provide good customer service
25:07 Tattoo apprenticeships and how to become a tattoo artist
33:23 How Aaron became a tattoo artist
41:45 Spreading positivity and love
45:33 Aaron's goals as a tattoo artist and Ink Master
50:57 Work-life balance 
59:30 Aaron’s tattoo apprenticeship and learning how to tattoo
1:05:06 Discipline and consistency 
1:13:45 Polyamory and relationships 
1:21:40 Being a non-tattoo artist in the industry

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu

Tattoo Visa has an unbelievable track record when it comes to visa approvals for tattoo artists: 100%. Lead attorney Katia Teirstein joined the show to discuss how O-1 visas and EB-1 green cards work for tattoo artists, how she learned how the tattoo industry works, and how her firm helps international artists navigate the immigration process.

Tattoo Visa is an NYC-based, all-female boutique law firm dedicated to helping some of the world's best tattoo artists immigrate to the United States. They have upwards of 300 clients at a time, and their efforts have resulted in over 1,000 visa approvals. Recently, they helped Eden resident artist Tam Gallardo secure an O1 visa and immigrate from Argentina. Their outstanding client lists includes famous tattoo artists such as Yomico Moreno, Jose Contreras, Daniel Luzardo, and Darwin Enriquez.

In their dedication to serving the tattoo industry, they have guidebooks available for artists and tattoo studios (petitioners) looking to start this process.
 
TATTOO VISA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tattoovisa/
TATTOO VISA WEBSITE AND CONTACT: https://www.tattoovisa.com/
TATTOO VISA GUIDEBOOKS: https://www.tattoovisa.com/guides

2:08 Tattoo artist requirements for an O1 visa
4:50 Starting a business and working with Paul Booth
8:52 Learning how the tattoo industry works
10:13 What Tattoo Visa does for clients
18:04 Minimum requirements to getting a visa 
27:32 Content and marketing strategies
33:00 Differences between collaborating, gatekeeping, and copying
38:18 Fitting in with tattoo artists
41:12 Tattoo Visa app and how it increases productivity and workflow 
46:35 Growth of the business
51:35 How long does a visa take and the consequences of working without visa
1:00:24 How tattoo studios help with the visa process
1:09:40 Process of getting Tam's visa approved

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @eden.pod
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: @edenbodyartstudos
WEBSITE: edenbodyartstudios.com

EDEN IG: @edenbodyartstudios
EDEN TIKTOK: @edenbodyartstudios

DEANNA'S IG: @deanna_art
DEANNA'S TIKTOK: @deanna_art

BOOK A TATTOO APPOINTMENT: edenbodyartstudios.com/booking
TAKE A SEMINAR: edenbodyartstudios.com/edu