Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jayla Lewis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jayla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

When I first started tattooing, it wasn’t some master plan. I was 17, impulsive, and just chasing something that felt exciting. Tattoos weren’t a passion yet — they were a fast decision. But that choice ended up shaping my life in ways I never expected.

As I grew up, so did my mindset. What began as a quick leap turned into a long journey of learning how to move with purpose, how to handle business the right way, and how important it is to put yourself and your vision first — no matter what.

Getting my tattoo license was just the start. I wanted to do more than just ink skin — I wanted to create connection, spread joy, and build something that little me couldn’t even imagine. Scaling my business wasn’t easy. It took trial and error, learning boundaries, building relationships, staying consistent even when I felt stuck, and choosing growth over comfort.

There were real obstacles: self-doubt, burnout, undercharging, overworking, and learning to say no. But the turning point came when I stopped chasing approval and started chasing alignment — with who I am, and what I truly wanted to build.

Now, my business is bigger than what it was 2 years ago , my mindset is stronger. And I’m still growing — but this time, with intention.

Jayla , 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?

Hello, I’m Jayla — a licensed tattoo and piercing artist, and the founder of InkHaveninc.

What sets me apart in this industry is that I’m young, driven, and deeply passionate about what I do. I made a promise to myself early on to stay disciplined and to never settle for less than what I’m worth. That mindset pushed me to not only earn my tattoo and piercing licenses, but also take the extra step to get a business license — all at a young age.

What I’m most proud of is being able to grow this brand while working on my undergraduate degree at The University of Memphis. A lot of people told me I should quit school and just focus on my business — but I knew I could do both. I believe if you truly want something, you can make it happen.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I haven’t fully transitioned my side hustle into a full-time career yet — but that’s definitely one of my goals. Right now, I’m focused on finding balance. I’m building my brand, InkHaveninc, while also pursuing my undergrad degree, and I’ve learned how important it is to protect my mental health and avoid burnout.

I got started in this industry young — tattooing and piercing began as something I was curious about, and it quickly became something I enjoyed. I took it seriously from the beginning by getting licensed and putting myself in professional environments. That gave me the foundation to grow.

Some key milestones for me were getting my licenses, gaining regular clients, and building a consistent online presence. Every client, every post, every reel helped push things forward.

I’m still in the process of scaling up, but I’m doing it intentionally — not rushing, just staying aligned with what’s best for me in the long run.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I used to grow my clientele was starting with the right foundation — getting licensed first and working in a shop. From there, I made it a point to consistently show my work. I recorded my sessions, posted the process daily, and created reels to highlight both the art and the experience.

What really helped was showing up even when I felt unsure. At first, I struggled with overthinking and doubting myself, but I learned that consistency beats perfection. The more I showed my work, the more people trusted me — and that built the momentum.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://venue.ink/@inkhaveninc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkhaveninc?igsh=MXg2dDlmdTZnNHYxbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr