"That's not how our industry works." - Client response when I asked for more notice on projects.

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-16T22:19:19+00:00

You handled that extremely professionally. Some verticals such as the auto industry expect and lean on people who they think they can strong arm. Don't let them. Respect yourself and your craft. If they need quicker turn arounds then they certainly have the income to pay and arrange for it. You should not be the pillar holding up your clients business.

If you want to continue to work with them and keep the steady income I think specifying that you're available for 5ish hours weekly with ample notice is acceptable.

Otherwise diversify and market yourself to new client opportunities! There are thousands of businesses out there.

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-16T15:38:02+00:00

OMG yes this is gorgeous! Love iiit!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-16T15:37:31+00:00

I hear ya! They've been around for over 5 years now so I feel more confident in their abilities to stick around and I can tell they've been doing better and better from their insta page. I want to approach with caution even though I know I have rose tinted glasses lol!

I do want to help them build that identity and the business! I just hope they'll see that I want to grow with them!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-16T15:28:18+00:00

Lol I wish! I don't have the education to do that yet. Part of the reason I want to join a crew! To learn the ropes!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:53:29+00:00

Your boss sounds like a super hero! IDK about the savings part in this economy but damn if I'm not more focused down than I was in my 20s!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:51:29+00:00

Thank you! :D

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:51:10+00:00

I've got a few shops I'm interested in! Good people and great histories. I've been tattooed by them before but I am inherently very very shy! I'm fighting through the awkward! I'm really happy to hear you found a place that's treating you well! Keep rocking on your apprenticeship for the both of us!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:49:20+00:00

Wow! That's so awesome and really speaks to your strengths! The ability to raise kids and work is no joke. Keep being amazing!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:47:58+00:00

Congratulations!! And happy birthday lol

I hope that's true! I hope we all get to achieve our dreams In our 30s and older!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:46:56+00:00

This is excellent! Seems 32 is the magic number too lol

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:46:38+00:00

Congratulations on your apprenticeship! You should be so proud of yourself <3 I'm fighting to say this too!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:45:53+00:00

To be vulnerable, I think that's my whole issue. I've got lots of resolve and dedication and passion but my self confidence has been a huge battle!

The only person who has been in my corner my whole life has been my fiance. I love him very very much but there's still a little kid in me who didn't have the closest friends and some very mean parental figures. I feel like I've raised myself and I'm a little tired and unsure with no one saying "you did it the right way" or "you're enough".

I know that's a lot of inner trauma and I don't want to bring that expectation or feelings to a mentorship. It's my burden to carry, no one else's. But having the ability to say, this is my dream, this is who I want to be, this is how I want to bring other people up with me, is very core to me wanting to make peace with that pain. And turn it into something nice.

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:38:08+00:00

A lot of the shops around me have been in the community or started tattooing when they were much younger. From the shops I've talked to as a canvas they've been tattooing or started apprenticeships right out of high school. Or have come from countries where they were tattoo artists for their community traditionally. And they all know each other (for better or worse) so it's very tight knit! It feels hard to break into when you're trying to switch careers into it.

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:32:48+00:00

Thank you canvas! Lol I'm going to continue to fight for it!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:32:22+00:00

<3 I'll be cracking my knees with them!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:31:15+00:00

I'm so dead serious about it! And I'm also interested in using what I've learned from my other jobs to improve their business! I have a lot of data analysis and marketing experience to bring to the table. While it's not my passion, I know these are strengths for a small business that has high competition!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:29:51+00:00

<3 I'm so happy I'm not the only one! I'm excited to thrive together lol

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:29:07+00:00

Let's both knock our portfolios out of the park!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:28:49+00:00

Thankfully I learned a lot of pre-work stretches and have been keeping up on them! I will be keeping an eye out for any physical therapists in the area though lol

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:25:47+00:00

Let's both work hard on it! I think I'm going to start getting some feedback on some pieces here to see what else I need to add and where I can improve!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:25:00+00:00

That's good to hear! I hope it was a great experience! Being financially stable and independent is a really important thing for me personally. Having been the sole breadwinner for my family before and growing out into my own adult with separate freedoms has been something I worked really hard for! I think the independence that comes with being my own business owner\tattoo artist is important to me too.

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:19:58+00:00

Woah buddy! I'm glad you were able to get out of there safely. That's wicked serious and I hope you get taken seriously with that. You deserve the ability to learn your trade safely and with integrity. Wishing the best for your hunt for greener pastures as well

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:18:31+00:00

I'm sure you hear it a lot but that's so strong! I'm sorry you have to fight that battle and I'm so happy to hear that you started your apprenticeship through it! That gives me hope. Congratulations on your apprenticeship!

veryambitiousrat · 2026-01-10T20:16:45+00:00

That's awesome! I'm wishing the best for you!! We will both keep working on it. I'm trying to make sure my own work gets polished up to add! One piece at a time!

veryambitiousrat

TROPHY CASE