We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aura Lillian a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aura, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I believe success is rooted in your core self and how you perceive yourself and the world around you. When you choose to move from an authentic place of dedication and love for yourself, you take full accountability; you show up for yourself, you honor the commitments you’ve made to yourself first and foremost – which builds inner trust, setting an internal foundation of integrity that runs so deep within yourself that you know you’re going to succeed no matter what.

When you’ve done the work, your attitude is loving and compassionate, it becomes a magnetic energy. Having your mindset so deeply rooted in success, there are no other options. You will win the games, you will collect the deposits, you will book the clients, and you will thrive as bigger challenges arise. Bigger challenges, bigger rewards, bigger opportunities. There’s no ceiling, which is the exciting part about it, there’s no limit on how far we can go, or how far we will continue to grow internally, which will always shine from the inside out, seeping into every aspect of our lives and our businesses. Abundance begins within. This is too key to sleep on.

My business is built upon a foundation of authenticity, love, and compassion. This view has been developed over life-long challenges, from never having the support I craved and for always being alone and having to fend for myself; every hard thing I’ve ever faced has always given me a choice to stand back up and dig my roots in deeper, or, to lay down and die, to quit, to betray myself by not holding myself accountable and becoming too disempowered to remember that I’m the driver of my own life at times. Quitting has never been my style. One thing about me, I am tenacious, I’ve loved myself hard enough to consistently show up and do the hard work, I always wade through the swamp, I never quit, and life had to teach me that my every action and thought is actively manifesting at all times. Always, some gotta focus on where we’re going and not where we’ve been. Eyes forward. Nothing can ever hold you back if you utilize your mindset properly. Truly.

Aura, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a tattoo artist, life coach, and co-owner of Flamingo Noir Collective, a unique tattoo studio in Dayton, Ohio, where artistry meets empowerment. My journey into tattooing began as a way to channel my passion for art into something deeply personal and transformative. Tattooing allows me to help people celebrate their individuality and tell their stories on a canvas that lives and breathes. Before becoming a tattoo artist, I began my mission by becoming a life coach, focusing on helping people rebuild their lives after experiencing abuse. Both paths share a common thread: empowering people to take ownership of their stories, their bodies, and their futures.

I specialize in custom tattoos, with a focus on black and grey realism, portraits, and abstract designs that incorporate brush strokes and paint splatters. Each tattoo is a collaboration with the client, crafted to reflect their unique journey. Beyond tattoos, I use my history of coaching services to help individuals rediscover their strength, rebuild their confidence, and move forward with purpose after difficult experiences.

What sets us apart is our commitment to making every client feel safe, valued, and celebrated. Flamingo Noir isn’t just a tattoo studio—it’s a sanctuary, a place where clients can express themselves, find community, and honor their resilience.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients. I don’t just create art or offer advice—I work alongside people to help them reclaim their confidence, embrace self-love, and recognize their own strength. Seeing my clients walk away feeling empowered is the greatest reward.

Outside of my work, I dream of growing into more than just a tattoo studio. I envision a lifestyle brand; complete with merch, art shows, books, and speaking engagements to inspire others. Whether through ink, coaching, or creative projects, my goal is to touch as many lives as possible and encourage people to see the beauty in themselves.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about Flamingo Noir Collective, it’s this: We’re here to honor your journey, your body, and your story, and we aim to create a space where you feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to embrace the masterpiece that you are.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Joshua and I met online back when I was just getting my tattoo career started and finding my footing in the industry. At the time, I had done a series of nude paintings celebrating the natural beauty of women’s bodies, honoring every shape and size. Joshua reached out to buy one of my paintings, and, funny enough, the one he chose happened to be a self-portrait of me.

Not long after, he traveled to my shop to sit in with me while I worked on my first realism piece. We instantly hit it off, and over the next few months, our friendship really blossomed. Fast forward a couple of years, and here we are—we’ve traveled all over the country together doing conventions and guests spots, living together, co-owning Flamingo Noir Collective, and building something truly special.

What makes our partnership work so well is the balance we bring to the table. We each have our own strengths, and together we create an environment where creativity, passion, and care thrive. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful every day for the team we’ve built—not just in business, but in life. And that painting he bought from me those years ago, now hangs in our home.💓

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I first started building my audience on social media, I didn’t have a perfectly laid-out plan—I just wanted to share my art with the world. My focus was on being consistent and authentic. I posted regularly, showcasing my tattoo work, my creative process, and even little glimpses into my life. I quickly realized that people connected not just with my art, but also with me. So, I made it a point to be vulnerable, relatable, and true to myself.

Over time, I figured out what resonated most with my audience—things like sharing the meaning behind a tattoo, celebrating my clients’ stories, or even funny quirks like my love for “car chicken” (rotisserie chicken lol). I leaned into what made me unique, and that helped me stand out in a saturated space.

As for advice for anyone just starting to build their social media presence:
1. Be consistent. Post regularly, but focus on quality over quantity. Your audience needs to know what to expect from you.
2. Be authentic. Don’t try to mimic someone else’s style or voice. People are drawn to your individuality—lean into it.
3. Engage. Respond to comments, answer questions, and connect with people who interact with your posts. Social media is about building relationships, not just posting.
4. Tell stories. Whether it’s through your art, your work, or your personal life, storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to connect with your audience.
5. Experiment. Try different types of content—photos, reels, carousels—and see what resonates most. You’ll learn as you go.

Most importantly, focus on connection, not just numbers. Your goal should be to build a community of people who genuinely appreciate what you do, not just to go viral. And remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Stay true to your vision, and your people will always find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.FlamingoNoirCollective.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredaura.tattoos/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aphroditealmighty?_t=ZT-8svfVqwsiux&_r=1

Image Credits

Photo credit for my portrait goes to the lovely Lauren Ashley, Lady with the Lens based out of Cleveland.