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

Alright, Ali thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am extremely happy being able to work for myself. It’s almost unimaginable going back to work for someone else in a regular 9-5 again. However, I would say that being your own boss does require a LOT of self-control and scheduling. The plus side to making your own schedule can also be seen as a negative. If you don’t hold yourself accountable, there’s nobody to answer to besides yourself if you don’t keep true to your commitments. But I wouldn’t want to do anything else because this is the most rewarding work I have ever done and the incentive is the pride I have in becoming a successful business owner.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Ali, owner of Karma Paw Inks. Before that, I was always the artsy kid. Being an only child, I spent most of my youth entertaining myself by drawing, painting, and crafting with any medium I could get my hands on. I come from a family of artists and both of my parents had tattoos for as long as I’ve been around. The day I turned 18, I instantly went to get my first tattoo. 8 years later, with many new additions of art to my skin, I’ve seen numerous shops and met plenty of other creatives, and that’s given me the opportunity to know what I want (and don’t want) from a tattoo experience. My clients know that I put my heart into every piece I create, and my goal is always to make sure that they know exactly what to expect from the appointment, especially first-timers who may be more nervous. I have a private studio, which allows people to be more comfortable in a one-on-one setting, and I always send designs in advance, giving them time to really think about the idea and make sure that they love it and can make any changes prior to adding it to their skin, which is something I haven’t experienced during any tattoo appointment I’ve had in the past.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think the biggest thing that would help creatives and tattoo artists is for people to be transparent. For example, fine line tattoos are becoming very popular, yet I don’t see many artists share the potential for these pieces to fade quickly, and I hardly ever see healed photos of this style. How can potential clients trust artists if they’re seen as the experts, yet they don’t help them make an informed decision by sharing the pros and cons of certain designs? It doesn’t help anyone to be “for yourself.” With that being said, I do love the changes I’ve seen in this community, especially on social media, with artists sharing their process, tips and tricks, and tools used because this allows other artists to learn and continue to grow.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I chose to go a more traditional route with building my online presence. Although this process has been slower because I do not pay for any followers, it is SO much more rewarding. The followers that I do have are extremely loyal. Currently, I also do not pay for any marketing or promoting, yet I’ve had a steady flow of work regardless due to referrals and repeat-clients. My biggest advice for anyone just starting out is to be authentic and be consistent. I share every single tattoo that I complete, regardless of how many likes I think it will receive; this makes it much easier to post regularly, and it showcases the many styles that I work with. I also recommend giving back to your community as you build clientele. It’s better to learn early on that it takes money to make money, so offer promotional deals, giveaways or raffles, or donate a portion of proceeds to a cause. The more often you interact with others, the more doors will open up for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.karmapawinks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karmapawinks/
• Other: https://g.co/kgs/JmYL6i

Image Credits