We recently connected with Jaclyn Matikas and have shared our conversation below.

Jaclyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As a tattoo artist, each project I take on is extremely meaningful, especially to the client receiving it. There are, however, a few projects that provide tremendous value for me as an artist. A lot of people seek tattoos as a way to cover up urgent or elective surgery scars, accident scars, self-harm scars and more. Other times, people get tattooes to commemorate life events, milestones, living and non-living people, mantras and hobbies. A few of my most meaningful projects involved surgical scar coverups and tattoos of deceased loved ones–not because of the tattoo itself, but because the weight it carried and the stories shared that I was able to help them heal from.

Each and every post-mastectomy coverup I have done has been extremely impactful. One story in particular stands out — an older woman came to get a post-mastectomy coverup as her first tattoo ever and was extremely nervous. Ms. Aretha picked out a beautiful peony design, and all of the staff rallied together to support her through the beginning nerves of that first “poke.” During the tattoo, she shared other details of her life with this being her second battle, her husband being sick and passing away, and still being an active employee in the school system driving busses. When we finished, we excitedly walked her to the mirror to show her her new breasts and the tears rolled down. The tears were bittersweet–She felt beautiful again, but brought a lot to the surface. She shared that the scar in the center of her chest was from when she tried to commit suicide and stabbed herself. We hugged and told her how proud of her we are that she made it through everything on her plate and vowed to coverup that scar too–not to erase her past, but to commemorate her journey and show a beautiful ending!

Another time that provided a lot of value was when a client and her husband reached out to get tattoos for their son who had DIPG, a rare form of terminal brain cancer. During their tattoo, we got to hear his whole story, and gained permission to film the session and share it to increase awareness for DIPG. At the end of the session, I was able to surprise the couple, Stephen and Kelia, in sharing that their tattoos were complimentary, and i even got to meet Kristopher after tattooing his face on his fathers arm. Over the next few months, we continued both parents tribute tattoos and his mother decided to get a flower for each month that he lived past his prognosis. Over the course of his life, and after his passing on November 26, we got to build a special bond and support system with Kelia and Stephen and be a part of all of the family’s fundraisers and events. They will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Most recently, I got to work with Shannon and her adopted daughter from India. In their inquiry Shannon told me her daughter had to get several craniofacial reconstructive surgeries that resulted in a not so typical hairline and permanent hair loss. After considering all of her options, she opted for a henna designed tattoo on her hairline to celebrate her Indian heritage. I asked for her permission to record her session and interview them at the end–and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. She told us stories of her being bullied in India, about the school system not even allowing her to attend school because she was too “scary looking,” and even about the struggles of being adopted at an older age. The experience, and opportunity to make an impact on Sonny’s life, was life changing for me. At the end I surprised them with the new that her tattoo would also be complimentary–it is the least I can do to lighten the load on the duo.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Meet Jackie Matikas, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, millennial Mother of two and Owner of Pretty In Ink Tattoos, an upscale, women owned and operated tattoo shop located in Bowie, Maryland.

Pretty In Ink challenges the masculine identity that tattoo shops have by creating a “less grunge, more glitter” experience and promoting a healing environment through incorporating crystals, sage, and friendly welcoming energy.

Aside from the girl power and delicate feminine decor, there is much more to Pretty In Ink than meets the eye. Their vision, mission and way of life boasts feminism, body positivity, community, and women empowerment.

Jackie holds many titles—including breaking the stigmas of male dominated industries in the public sphere. A powerful female not only stands as CEO, but she further inspired and taught her closest friends to pursue entrepreneurship outside of their corporate careers. She has helped two women ditch their corporate career suit jackets for t-shirts, financial freedom, and full-time entrepreneurship.

Together they are challenging the status quo and showing other women they can pursue their dreams at any point in life and do something different too. Our way of life attracts a “girl gang” of like-minded women—often typing in “female tattoo artist” in search queries and looking to support another woman owned business.

The “not-so-average” chic upscale aesthetic is beautiful, but also represents the face of the new age tattoo collector. Everyone from high level executives to doctors and lawyers hide full sleeves under their scrubs and suit jackets. There is no “average” look of a tattoo collector these days, so why should tattoo shops carry the typical masculine stereotype that can feel unwelcoming to some women. In this age, tattoos are rarely used as labels of social deviants and women no longer have to have a dainty, hidden artwork. People are using tattoos as accessories, memorials, art collections and memoirs to tell a story of their life.

We’ve all heard “you’re such a pretty girl, why would you do that to your body?” Pretty In Ink stands alongside all women of every shape and color. Everyone deserves to have a positive body image, even if it goes against the beauty culture norms. As a female empowerment driven “femmepire,” they tear down any wall, barrier or belief that encourages hatred or oppression of anyone based on gender, religion, sexuality or race. They intend to not only help break the bias with gender equality, but also help unite women everywhere by promoting non-judgment, acceptance and support.

Not only do they spread love to their growing client base, Jackie and her team combine their passion for artistry and philanthropy to pour back into the community. Her shop hosts fundraisers for organizations leading the charge for Black lives and every October the shop chooses breast cancer survivors and hosts a day of art offering free post-mastectomy coverups. In March 2021 for Women’s History Month, she donated $1400 and a year of mentorship to a woman-owned businesses.

Every aspect of our brand was well-thought to articulate our core values and mission to create a community with a meaningful cause. Alongside upgrading the tattoo experience with various shades of pink, well-crafted communication methods and attention to detail, we tackle hard topics and take an active stance to boost our good will and bottom line within our company culture and charity work.

Jackie wants to do more than just great artwork. She works hard to change the world for a better tattoo and a better tomorrow, all while helping women become braver and bolder to move the Pretty In Ink mission with optimal impact.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started tattooing, I opted to run my business solo. I worked in a room next to my ex-husband, but I operated my brand and mission solo. After taking on an apprentice in my early days, I came to the conclusion that i didn’t have enough time between parenting and actually working in my craft and on my business, to split my time enough to teach someone. Sure, I could tattoo and earn as much money as I wanted, but I lacked the essentials for growth and expansion. As my name grew bigger, I knew there was only one me, and the quote “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” rang in my head.

I never had a corporate career to base my knowledge of how to structure my business and how to manage people. Because I was self-taught, it was also difficult to form a curriculum of the correct way to learn in the right order. However, I’ve always viewed an obstacle as an opportunity and know that you don’t grow in your comfort zone. So, the opportunity to hire my first apprentice fell in my lap, and although I was apprehensive, I dove into it.

At this point in my career, I have had six tattoo apprentices and have learned tons of lessons from each of them, each one helping me become a better person, mentor and business owner. The opportunity to be a part of someone’s story and success provides a ton of value beyond the dollar, and also adds a building block to your legacy. I now work alongside my closest friends, and have helped two women successfully quit their corporate careers while increasing their income, owning their time and working in their passion and purpose.

Had I never stepped out of my comfort zone to try something new, I would have never had the opportunity to gain as much value or increase my reach of the women’s life our shop has touched.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Oh my–which time! I am still doing this to this day! The one that stands out the most to me, is when I left my ex-husband, and all at once had to move all of my equipment and property out of the shop we had together and move back into a basement until I could find a new location. It was extremely humbling because it all started in a basement 10 years prior.

This was a pivot in both life and business. My personal life was affecting my work life, and i wasn’t able to separate the two. The decision to start over from scratch in my career was difficult, especially knowing I would be a single mother and financially responsible for my two kids. It was the best decision I ever made–when one door closes, another one opens–this time it was a pink door! Three months later I found a small office available for rent in Crofton that I signed a lease for and vowed that within that year I would work in and on my business and find my dream location.

10 months later, I came across a listing with my agent for a commercial property in Bowie. It was right around the corner from the first apartment i rented when i moved out of my mom’s house. The industrial park also housed the sonography business where i found out the gender of both of my children and I went to school with one of the busienss owners in the same suite. I’m a firm believer in signs and knew this was it!

Four years later, I have never regretted my decision or questioned the timing of it. You are never too old to stop and start over.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.prettyinink.net
• Instagram: @prettyininktattoos / @jackie.the.brand
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrettyInInkTattooShop
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/pretty-in-ink-tattoos-bowie