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

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org

INKTEGRITY 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

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

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

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org

INKTEGRITY 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

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

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org

INKTEGRITY 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

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

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org

INKTEGRITY 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

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

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org

INKTEGRITY 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

In this episode, tattoo artist & coach Reese Hilburn gets radically honest about her journey from TV fame and public cancellation to rebuilding her life and business through spiritual growth. She shares how she now earns 10K+/month tattooing only 6 days, and the mindset shifts that made it possible. We dive into overcoming self-sabotage, turning your shadows into strengths, and why being polarizingly authentic is the best marketing strategy.

A powerful episode on healing, entrepreneurship, and building a life of freedom.

Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aqjYSJUryKg

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org

INKTEGRITY 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

Reese Hilburn on IG @theartofreese

In this episode, we’re joined by Mick O'Herien, President of the APT and owner of the legendary Shotzi's Tattoo, for a crucial conversation about the state of the industry.

Mick shares his incredible journey from being Shotzi's last apprentice to leading the fight for tattooers' rights. We discuss the looming threat of federal regulation, the importance of organizations like the APT and TIMA, and why "strengthening the gates" is essential for the future of our craft.

This is a powerful episode about legacy, advocacy, and uniting to protect the industry we love.

Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nEmR-ToeyVg

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

TIMA https://tima-tattoo.org

INKTEGRITY 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

Mick O’Herien on IG @mickmetal

In this episode, we’re back on the LIVE stage! Recorded on August 31, 2025, at the Macabre Tattoo & Arts Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, this episode marks the return of our raw, convention-floor conversations, and it was worth the wait.

Join Rob as he sits down with Adam Stoner, artist, documentarian, and host of The Adam Stoner Show, for a wildly unpredictable chat.

This isn’t your typical tattoo podcast. This is a deep dive into art, life, loss, legacy, and what it means to truly simplify your world - told by two guys who’ve lived it all under the buzzing lights of the industry.

Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jVao61fcuOk

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

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

Adam Stoner on IG @adam_stoner

In this episode, shop owner, renowned artist, and real estate agent Kevin Becvar joins the podcast for a no-holds-barred conversation about the evolution of his career and the tattoo industry at large.

We kick things off by catching up on life, fatherhood, and the unique challenges of living and working in Temecula, California. Kevin opens up about the shifting landscape of tattooing, discussing why he feels the industry has gotten "softer," the pros and cons of its oversaturation, and why he'll never turn down a Pinterest tattoo.

We dive deep into his dual career in real estate, exploring the surprising synergies (and conflicts) between the two fields, and he reveals the unique incentive he offers clients that you have to hear to believe.

This episode is packed with stories, from the nightmare of modern air travel and getting “Becvared,” to unforgettable moments like tattooing Bruce Campbell and working catering at WWE events. We also tackle heavier topics, including the impact of social media algorithms, the legacy of our late friend Mark Medford, and the real health concerns behind trends like blackout sleeves.

Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WHFJXi6EDVA

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

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

Kevin Becvar on IG @kevinbecvar

In this episode, Rob is joined by Selina Medina, tattoo artist, VP of the Alliance for Professional Tattooists (APT), and a leading expert on tattoo industry regulations.

This is a critical conversation about the existential threats facing the tattoo industry. They pull back the curtain on the dangers of cheap, imported products and the looming specter of government oversight. Selina breaks down the high-stakes battle to change the term "injection" in regulatory language, a fight that could determine if tattooing remains an accessible craft or becomes a cost-prohibitive medical procedure.

They also analyze the damaging impact of Europe's REACH regulations and issue a powerful call to action for artists and manufacturers to get educated and unite. This episode serves as an essential guide to understanding the forces shaping your business and how to safeguard the future of tattooing.

Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7tQ3sHWqR18

APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/

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

Selina Medina on IG @girlytattoos

girlytattoos.com