In 2010, I launched my tattoo magazine as an online publication with a mission that was simple but powerful: to create a space where artists felt seen, heard, and valued. A platform that celebrated the underdog — the ones grinding in their studios, pouring their soul into every piece. It wasn’t about hype; it was about heart.

That first attempt failed. The online format didn’t catch the way I’d hoped. I was working a busy job at a food spot in 2015, broke and unsure of how I’d ever get to print. But I wasn’t ready to quit.

So I made a sacrifice. I sold my street bike — one of the few valuable things I had — and used every dollar to get that first print issue made. I featured artists for free, determined to build a name, and prove this vision was real. But over 80% of those I supported never thanked me. No reposts. No appreciation. That was a hard lesson.

That’s when I realized something big: you don’t build your worth by giving yourself away — you build it by standing on your value.

So I shifted. I started charging for features, but I made sure to give more than anyone expected. Every artist who joins our pages gets more than a feature — they get a professionally written biography, physical copies of the issue, and a custom plaque to hang in their studio with pride.

Now, 15 years later, we’re still in print and stronger than ever. We’re still about connection. About lifting up artists. I’m about to make sure this industry knows it’s not just about ink — it’s about the people behind it.

This is more than a magazine.
This is a movement.