We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charlyn Quirino. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charlyn below.

Hi Charlyn, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

A risk I’ve taken was opening up the tattoo shop and starting a business in 2020 which was during the height of Covid-19. I knew this was a huge risk but my passion outgrew the fear i had in this business in becoming a flop. This was also (at the time) going to be the first All-femme tattoo and piercing shop in the San Fernando valley with a Filipina that’s a woman, who tattoos that is owning this business. There’s not a lot of that in the 818 Valley. I was not sure if the male dominated tattoo industry would be shook about the changes. I was not sure how they would react, because in all honesty having an all femme tattoo shop that is very queer friendly- is such a better space for all femme and queer people, all people actually who are intimidated and or have had a negative experience with a regular tattoo shop. There is a huge amount and unspoken number of shops who are currently running that have sexually assaulted and or are predatory against clients, apprentices and or their workers. This is such a big deal because there is no tattoo police and or is always unspoken because of the history of this industry. Help share our story! Thank you

Charlyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Charlyn Quirino i go by char, aka Puny rose tattoos. I am a tattoo artist and a business owner. I got into tattooing as a graffiti artist. When i was younger i was always into painting drawing and creating. I think some of my friends were tattooing and or exploring tattooing at the time i started and i continued my passion because of how good It felt to make someone else love their body with my art on It. I have become a proud business owner ever since opening Queens of Needles. This shop is very unique because we bring safety and passion into a space where you are vulnerable while creating art on your body. I would love if everyone knew how much It does mean to me that a space like this exists because of how many shops and artists have not been held accountable of their actions towards clients and workers in this industry. The work we do is not limited to quality but also cleanliness and positivity. There’s always good vibes at the shop. If someone’s not having a good vibe, we always have our ears open for whoever needs It. This is what we call tattoo therapy. And we’re here for It! The best part is always when the client leaves feeling better than when they got there! Queens of needles is not just a brand, but we are a movement. We are a community of people you can rely on, vibe with and feel safe with.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Tattooing was my side hustle that turned into my full time career. I was a medical biller and coder during my earlier years in working. I was working in an office and then coming to work at a tattoo shop right as soon as i got off from my 9-5. I was so drained leaving the office but as soon as i set up for tattooing and drawing my clients design, every energy in my body just gets summoned and all of a sudden im revived. The feeling of creating was so more rewarding than receiving a pay check from my 9-5. I remember sending my last email which was my 2 weeks notice of working that job since i never received a raise that was talked about to then going full time with tattooing. I literally made more money than working that office job, but that wasn’t the reason i quit. I felt so much better with what i was doing. I had a purpose. I made people feel good and in return that made me feel good. Any office job would only make me feel good and have a purpose if i was assisting a customer and solving any of their problems. I feel like tattooing in a way – is that. Tattooing is very intimate and is a luxury that not everyone can afford, but i do appreciate everyone i have encountered. They are the reason me and my family have a roof over our heads and food on our table. They are all willing to pay for my art and my time that i share giving an experience that nobody can give is undeniably better than paid time off, over time, bonus checks, etc. if money was not an issue, i would tattoo people for free in all honesty.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think in tattooing since it’s so intimate. You have to treat others the way you’d want others to treat you. POINT BLANK PERIOD! I guess some people can be attracted to the competitive prices (cheaper) but i am fairly pricing and not pocket gouging. I know some artists will call that cheap and It may come off cheap but this is what It is. I am fairly pricing my time and costs of supplies. No other extras in order to afford a lambo or a mansion. I’m trying to price for my time which can be my freedom of creating and happiness. This gives me ultimate joy and if they tip good and or there’s extra money, It goes to my children and back to the community and people i love. I also created a space where i would have loved to be tattooed at. I based my clients experience on how i would love to be treated if i was the client. I created a space where it’s clean and fresh if i was a client getting tattooed there. I created safety and trust where i don’t need to worry about creeps and or getting sick in. I also created an experience for my clients where in return they are referring me to their friends, family and others. The best feeling to me is when it’s word of mouth. Sure i can pay for ads and marketing, but the real deal is word of mouth. The people who got that good experience with my work and business is more genuine than an instagram video or ads online. I also like to give back to the community by spending my time on donating, feeding the homeless and giving deals to clients. Giving back to the community and making sure i give clients a good tattoo and experience is what’s helped build my reputation in the business. I also keep in touch with other tattoo shop owners and send clients their way if i am not able to take on clients for the day. I’m not greedy with our clients. We try to also keep the other tattoo shops running! It’s a way of giving back to the community. Everyone can eat !

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.queensofneedles.com
• Instagram: @queensofneedlestattoo
• Facebook: Queens of needles
• Yelp: Queens of needles
• Other: TikTok @queensofneedles

Image Credits

Valley views KROJ photographer