We recently connected with Nicki Hoverson and have shared our conversation below.

Nicki, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Thanks to the era of reality tv, tattooing became less taboo and more normalized in everyday life. I was eleven when I caught a glimpse of one of these tattoo reality shows. During the show I witnessed a woman tattoo artist empowering her client giving her a beautiful tattoo covering up bad memories. It was the first time I learned that tattooing was something girls can do. Eleven year old me said “I didn’t know girls can do that. I’m gonna be the girl who does that.” It was tunnel vision ever since. So from age eleven on I was committed to my dream of becoming a tattoo artist. When I was 19 after countless doors slammed on me, I had finally landed an apprenticeship; by 24 I had the keys to my own shop.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Our goal is to always go above and beyond creating a custom and beautiful tattoo for our client. Pins & Roses Tattoo has and will always be a place for everyone. Come as you are. Express yourself and be true. We deeply care about our clients and become very close with each and every one. Overcoming the stigma of tattoo shops being a rough and intimidating place we welcome you to make this your second home; a place to unapologetically be yourself, express your creativity whether as a client or artist, have a cup of coffee with us and know this is a place you belong.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career is the ability to give back. We do two major fundraisers every year donating 100% profits to our local women’s and LGBTQ+ shelters. Both causes are very close to my heart and motivated me to push forward to this point in my career. Outside our fundraisers the day to day is equally rewarding. A new tattoo empowers our clients the feel authentic in who they are and promotes body positivity & self love.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Often people will express they wish they could just become a tattoo artist. There is no just “becoming” a tattooer. There is no easy way in. There’s no one successful artist in this industry who didn’t practically sell their soul for it. There is always a trail of countless sacrifice to be here. Skipping parties in your twenties to mop the shop, making sure you don’t screw up this opportunity you’ll only have once. Spending years through a gauntlet of unappreciative shop owners, being their work horses just trying to eat and make a name for yourself. The adversities faced as a woman in the industry alone that would surly be an HR lawsuit anywhere’s else. For those who do make it though, have the gift of being a part of something sacred. Tattooing is not a job or a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. This life is the only life for me. One I wake up every day grateful to live, and if I had to do it over again a hundred times to be here I would.

Contact Info:

• Website: pinsandroses.com
• Instagram: pinsandrosestattoo
• Facebook: Pins and Roses Tattoo