We recently connected with Alesha Christensen and have shared our conversation below.

Alesha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Working a 9-to-5 and building someone else’s dream never sat well with me. I’ve always known I was capable of more—not just of doing great work, but of creating something bigger than myself. I’m the kind of person who sees inefficiencies and instinctively knows how to build systems that make things smoother, better, and more impactful. So why would I keep pouring that energy into someone else’s vision when I could pour it into my own?

Entrepreneurship gives me freedom—not just to wake up without an alarm (although that’s a huge bonus), but freedom to create, to take risks, to build something that reflects who I am. I thrive when I have ownership, when I get to decide the direction, when I’m not limited by someone else’s ceiling. This path isn’t always easy, but it’s mine. And there’s nothing more fulfilling than living a life you designed for yourself.

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.

Hi, I’m Alesha—a passionate entrepreneur, artist, and educator in the beauty and body art industry. I started my first business, Bold Beauty, in 2017 with nothing but a prayer and a deep love for creativity and connection. Over the course of 8 years, I built it into a successful luxury brand specializing in fine line tattoos, piercings, and permanent makeup—and recently, I sold it, marking my first business exit.

I’m also the founder and co-owner of the Arizona Tattoo Academy, where we provide hands-on education and certification for aspiring tattoo and piercing artists. We’ve created a modern, no-fluff path to professional artistry—one that empowers students to skip outdated apprenticeship models and learn real skills in a supportive, elevated environment.

Throughout my journey, I’ve always been someone who naturally sees how to improve systems, streamline processes, and bring ideas to life. I love helping others do the same.

I specialize in fine line tattoos, curated piercings, permanent makeup, and guidance for beauty and body art entrepreneurs. What sets me apart is my ability to blend artistry with strategy—I care just as much about clean technique and client experience as I do about teaching others how to create sustainable, aligned success.

What I’m most proud of? The ripple effect. The clients who walk away feeling seen and confident. The students who go on to launch businesses of their own. And the fact that I get to do it all on my terms—with freedom, intention, and heart.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Around the same time I started Bold Beauty, I also launched my own eyelash product company. I was offering lash extension services and couldn’t find products that met my standards—so I decided to create my own. What started as a side project quickly grew into a full product line, including lash extension trays, tweezers, and adhesive.

I spent months researching and testing different manufacturers. I wasn’t willing to slap my name on something unless I genuinely believed in it, so I went through several rounds of samples and rigorous testing before I found the perfect formula and quality. Once I did, I launched my own branded lash products and started shipping all over the U.S. and Canada.

The line quickly gained popularity because artists could tell it was made by a lash tech, for lash techs—no fluff, just quality tools that worked. That experience taught me so much about product development, private labeling, logistics, and scaling a brand from scratch, and it lit a fire in me for building things with intention and excellence.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Leadership has been such a huge part of my journey. At one point, I was running a team of 10 to 12 artists—all super talented, all with different personalities, work styles, and needs. My job was to keep the business running smoothly while making sure everyone felt supported and had what they needed to succeed.

It wasn’t always easy, but I really learned how important it is to lead with empathy and clarity. I had to figure out how to balance structure with flexibility—holding people accountable while also making space for creativity and growth. Every day brought something new, and I kind of became the glue that held everything together.

Managing a team taught me that leadership isn’t just about being in charge—it’s about setting the tone, solving problems, and building a culture where people actually want to show up and do their best. And honestly? That’s one of the things I’m most proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arizonatattooacademy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arizonatattooacademy