We recently connected with Amanda Wolf and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?
In order to become successful it is important to first define your idea of success. Having a clear vision will help shape the actions required to obtain such success. Staying committed to the vision will require sacrifice and discipline on several fronts. It is equally important to maintain a balanced lifestyle by taking care of your mind and body. Burnout is real. Knowing when to take a break or vacation is beneficial to gaining and maintaining success.
Amanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have always been an artist at heart. As far back as I can remember I was always creating something through artistic means and trying to bridge the gap between my soul and the rest of the world. Whether I was painting, writing, playing music, photographing ventures, or connecting with animals I was doing so in effort to put into the world the expression of myself in hopes that it would connect to another living being and help us both find a deeper connection to ourselves, each other and the world around us.
In my adolescent years I had lofty visions of becoming a famous rockstar but settled per the recommendation of my high school guidance counselor to just go to college and get a real job because I would never make it as a professional artist. Over the following decade I had a ton of different dead end jobs in various industries, went to college a total of 6 years first as a music major then switched to veterinary sciences minoring in holistic medicine. I never earned a degree because life served me too many deep dish trauma pizzas. College is practically impossible when a person lacks support, basic neccessities and is in survival mode constantly. I fell out of all creative pursuits for many years until I was in my mid/late twenties when I started painting, again. I was living in Washington DC at the time working as a dog walker and decided to take a courageous leap by entering some work into a regional art show called, Pancakes and Booze. Over three years’ time I repeatedly entered my work in to this exhibit which lead to bigger opportunities. I was invited to paint two public outdoor murals within Washington DC which received publication within the Washington Post where I was called a “Young Artist to Watch”. In 2015 and 2016 I was one of 40 artists invited by a nonprofit organization in the United Kingdom to submit work for a fundraising Gala in NYC which aid to give access to clean water to farmers in Third World countries.
Life came to another screeching halt in 2015 when I experienced a motorcycle accident in which I suffered a severe Mild Traumatic Brain injury (mTBI). The following year proved challenging with my recovery so I left veterinary school for the second time and moved back to my hometown in northern New York. I was invited by my former Art Teacher, Mr. Sullivan, to speak to the High School students about pursuing art after graduation even if it was not for professional purposes. While catching up I explained that I was in another transitionary phase still recovering from my injury, Mr. Sullivan suggested that I consider tattooing. I had been interested in tattooing for long time and had a couple inquiries for apprenticeships but never had a real opportunity. With his recommendation I became a full time tattoo apprentice within a week at a local shop.
As of January 2025, I have been tattooing professionally for 9 years. I opened my first tattoo shop in July 2017 with no clue what I was doing and no plan other than to pay my bills, buy food, and take care of my dogs. I started with a very small private studio on the 5th floor in a historic building in downtown Glens Falls, New York. From there, I grew as an artist, a business, and a person. Currently have a large high end Tattoo Studio in a medical plaza which is home to a handful of other artists. Over the last four consecutive years my business, Vixen & Viking Tattoo Studio, has been voted “Best Tattoo Shop” in the “Best of The Region” tri-county competition. I have also been awarded, “Best Local Artist” in 2020 and 2023. Clients can expect to enter a beautiful, clean, and safe environment. My mission with Vixen & Viking Tattoo Studio was to create a space where the public felt comfortable and received a professional experience from start to finish. I also emphasized the importance of maintaining a space where Artists felt at ease and had autonomy. To give back to our communities, Vixen & Viking Tattoo Studio has hosted and donated to several fundraisers for various charitable causes within the Capital and North Country Regions of New York.
In 2018 I began serving as Vice President/Co-founder of a non-profit organization called Bark Brew & Tattoo 501c.3 which aims to de-stigmatize Pit Bulls and Bully Breed dogs while raising money for regional dog rescue and veteran service dog organizations. In 2021 I took the position of President/CEO for Bark Brew & Tattoo. Planning the annual fundraising events and witnessing the success of those efforts is something I am most proud. My dogs (and tattooing) have literally saved my life. I know that I am helping to improve the lives of animals and people that are disadvantaged and most deserving of compassion. Our events help small businesses gain exposure and create a community amongst artists.
I never expected how much tattooing the public would heal me and in that same breath I would be helping people to heal themselves, to advocate for each other, to support each other through challenging times and chapters of adventure. I never considered how emotional the experience of tattooing would be for myself and my clients. For some clients, I am just an artist who gave them a tattoo. For other clients, I am the tattoo artist that inspired them to leave their abusive relationship, become a mother, memorialize a beloved pet, or pay tribute to their sobriety. I am the tattoo artist that held space for them as the cried, who laughed with them in times of joy, who cheered them on as they did the thing that scared them most, who gave them a pep talk when they were feeling down on themselves all whilst permanently altering their appearance. At the end, they leave with a token of our time together and a piece of me goes with them forever. It’s wild and weird and rad. Other than being a skilled professional Artist I think that being a compassionate human being with a strong character is what sets me apart in my line of work and these two elements of myself are what I am most proud of because I had to work really hard; often alone, make a lot of sacrifices, and preserve to get to this place.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
When managing a team there are a few key features I keep in mind to keep spirit up. One, I am a leader, not a Boss. I am the business owner therefore I set the tone. I achieve results by leading through example, offering guidance and support and not by force. The second huge piece of advice I have for managing a team is to show your appreciation. Remember their birthdays, give them thoughtful gifts at Christmas, bring in snacks and coffee on any random day just because its a nice thing to do, a couple times per year if you can afford it bring your staff out to dinner, and most of all remember that your staff members are humans that have lives outside the workplace.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Jake Meeks, the curator of The Fireside Network and the Tattoo Improvement Network was an immeasurably valuable resource through my tattoo and business ownership career. He exemplified a level of professionalism blended with a humble attitude that resonated with me. His podcast and Youtube channels covered an array of topics and interviews including technical aspects of tattooing, tattoo culture, artistry and the entrepreneurial mindset.
Andy Frisella is another regular dude, Author of The Book on Mental Toughness, curator of 1stPhorm fitness supplements, and Host of Real AF podcast. I discovered him through mutual acquaintances and found his content to be motivational and authentic. He drives home the importance of accountability and discipline in the personal and professional and how these principles overlap and influence the quality of both realms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vixenandvikingtattoo.com
- Instagram: danceswithpitbulls
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vandvtattoo/
- Other: https://barkbrewtattoo.org
Image Credits
Amanda Wolf