We recently connected with Syd Nielsen and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Syd, thanks for joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

A story I never get tired of sharing is how I was able to open my private studio. I operate my studio in the back of GGs Salon, owned by Gayle, who offers hair services, waxing, and permanent makeup. I’ve known her almost my entire life because she has always taken care of my mom’s hair and mine as well.

One day while I was getting my hair done, I was talking about how badly I wanted to open a shop of my own. Since she had extra space in her salon and I was fully licensed, she asked if I’d like to move in and build out a space for myself. It was such an incredible act of kindness and trust, and I can never thank Gayle enough for giving me my start.

I also love that we’ve created a fully women-run space where we support and complement each other without competition. It has felt like fate and home ever since, and I’ve continued to grow more and more because she believed in me.

Syd, 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?

I’m a tattoo artist with nearly 10 years of experience, currently working out of my private studio where I’ve built an environment centered around comfort, trust, and individuality. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to create more than just a place to get tattooed, I wanted to create a space where people feel safe to fully be themselves, no matter who they are or what that means for them.

Because I work privately, I’m able to offer a more personal and accommodating experience than many traditional street shops. I understand life is busy, and sometimes clients need flexibility. If someone has a shorter appointment and needs to bring their children, that’s absolutely welcome. I keep temporary tattoos, small fidgets, and activities available to help make the experience easier for both parent and child. Creating a stress-free environment is important to me because getting tattooed should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

My design process is another area where I do things differently. I handle consultations through text or messenger rather than only in person. This allows me to carefully review every detail, reference image, and idea my clients share so nothing gets overlooked during the design process. It creates clear communication, gives clients time to think through what they truly want, and helps me deliver custom work that feels intentional and personal.

Artistically, I specialize in high-detail blackwork tattoos with a focus on florals, portraits, and wildlife. I’m known for creating pieces with strong contrast, intricate detail, and lasting visual impact. I love combining realism with bold composition to create tattoos that age well and stand out on the skin.

What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Many people come to me for meaningful, personal pieces, and I never take that lightly. Whether it’s someone’s first tattoo or one of many, I want every person who sits in my chair to feel heard, respected, and excited about the art they’re leaving with. My brand is built on quality work, genuine connection, and creating an experience where people feel just as good as the tattoo looks.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

In the tattoo industry or maybe in any self employed industry it’s very difficult to say no to your clients. They become your friends and you end up caring about so many things about them from their heartbreaks to biggest successes! I get to connect with my clients on such a unique level when I tattoo their body’s and when they message me and want to in even when I’m stretching myself way too thin, it’s very difficult to say no. I’ve learned to get much better at this and schedule time off for myself as well! I hope any self employed person has this balance figured out because we all deserve it!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

When you’re working directly with clients there is definitely a social media bonus to growing to your business, but word of mouth is by far my biggest and most beneficial marketing strategy. I don’t have to do anything but create good tattoos and make sure my clients have a good experience! I know this all sounds like a pretty simple situation and it can be, but when you have a good product and you go the extra little step to make sure your clients know you care, the marketing will take care of itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://viciousinkbysyd.bigcartel.com/?fbclid=IwRlRTSARWCzFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeLSEg7l1uPPcC0bVmqZS-NxiHZROqrM216qmb45eYWaDVjghrR4BgGSpwHyU_aem_xubuH9q2B3lhwsRjItQmVA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicious_ink_by_syd?igsh=MXd1NmVsZDdnMWQwNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DW9kxxnbe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Nichole