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

Hi Lorena, thanks for joining us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

Tattooing, historically, has quite some issues with not just image, but also inclusion. Typically, it was white males who tattooed and others were occasionally included. The tattooing world is definitely changing and I hope I have done a little in my small world to help. I have taught many young women and minorities how to tattoo and be successful in this world; given them a chance when they may not have otherwise. The shop I have created is a shop full of strong, talented women! However, I also try to be inclusive with my clients and make sure they are comfortable and safe. We are nothing without our clients and we need to respect and listen to them and model our environment so that they wish to come back.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My ex had been a tattoo artist for many years and I had been in and around the industry for many years, However, I had never committed and instead had been teaching middle school Spanish for many years. Frustrated with teaching, my ex convinced me to leave and commit to tattooing, and I did! We opened a shop together. Sadly, he passed away several years ago and I have been running the shop on my own since. I also committed to his plan of having an all women shop. I would love to claim that as my idea, but he was the one who thought that women needed a space and a chance to succeed.

Any advice for managing a team?

I have a great team at my shop! In general, I think the key to having a good team is modeling how you want them to be. I keep an open policy so that they can come to me at any time with ideas and concerns and allow them to express things in their own ways. I also let them know when issues arise so that they understand what is occuring in the shop. We work as a team so that we can all succeed. I have also found that people can be very food motivated and order lunch at least once a week and have a fully stocked snack area. Seems silly, but makes people happy. But I also work hard to get them clients and teach them how to get clients on their own so that they are busy and making money. A final thing is understanding a good work/home balance and not making them feel worried about taking time off. We work it so that they can still succeed, but not have to make a choice of one over the other. As a workaholic myself, I respect their time.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

One thing I have taught all of my my artists is that tattooing is a variable career. Some months you can be making a fortune, and other months you wonder where everyone is. To combat this I insist that they all have a side hustle, such as crafting or painting or sculpture or writing or crochet/knitting. Not only does this allow extra income if needed, but it keeps the creative mind going when artist’s block occurs. My artists have done everything from Etsy shops to craft fairs and art shows and commissioned paintings and prints.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorena_grewe_tattooer/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/baltimoretattooguru/

Image Credits

The people photos taken by: Reider White II
Tattoo Photos taken by me