We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrea Motta a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Andrea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear a story from back when you were an intern or apprentice. What’s a memorable story you can share with us?

One core memory I have of my apprenticeship is a day when a good friend of mine walked into the shop for her tattoo. I had set up the appointment with one of my artist since I was also managing the shop at the time. After she walked in I asked her to follow me to the station of the artist I booked for her, she stopped me and said “oh no I want you to do it.”. Mind you, I was very new at professional tattooing and had never done anything bigger than an inch and she wanted some letters going down her spine. The size had me so nervous I got in my own way before having any hope. Fast forward, I did it and did a great job. That moment pushed me over a hill that I was subconsciously trying to avoid and it showed me what I needed to truly believe in myself and go all in.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was First introduced to the tattoo world as a young Child by my father who was also an artist. I was told I was around 3 when I first held a tattoo machine and did a dot on a friend of my dad’s lol. Where’s the pictures right?
Growing up I would do his stencils for him for his appointments (I felt so important).
Turing 16 I started managing the shop and got trained to be the new head Piercer and had done a few tattoos on family members/friends but didn’t take it too serious until 2013 and started my apprenticeship in 2014.
I always knew I wanted to own my own shop and opening ‘Ink N Beauty’ with my husband has been the best.
I offer tattoos and permanent make up at our studio along with Tiny Tattoo seminars and PMU Training for anyone interested in learning from me.
It’s truly been a blessing being about to do what I love and have purpose in it.
On one side I have tattoos which is literally ink therapy to some. My clients confide in me with everything from love, accomplishments to grief.
To have the trust to create something for them to cherish forever is such an honor.
On the other side we have Permanent make up. Where you litterally give someone their confidence back in one session. It’s such an amazing feeling being able to provide exactly what a client comes in for. From cancer patients to victims of the tweezers I love giving them their brows back.
I have the best clients all around and I’m proud that I can make each and every client feel their importance for my business.
I would love all future clients to know that when you are in my chair I have your best interest at heart and everything is made in mindfulness.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I first started my social media I was back home in El Paso, TX. It was a little easier to grow a following but still made efforts to give out my info to anyone I walked by. In 2017 I moved to Fort Worth, TX.
Was definitely a change, I had to start my clientele all over again.
So I started small by going to malls and passing out cards. Always making sure I gave people a reason to remember me.
I message people, make sure I was always using hashtags. Paying for promo on social media. There isn’t anything like word of mouth though, a recommendation by someone who loved your work is priceless and keeps on giving. I always did a ton of free work. I’d do giveaways and find people with a big following to tattoo on and it would always help me out.
When in doubt just go outside and meet someone. I’m a big believer in the law of attraction and know that the hardest part about growing your business is getting yourself out of the way.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

There was a small time where I was no longer in a shop and was instead waitressing/bartending and did piercings on the side. I for some reason just felt like I needed to see what else was out there. 3 years into the service industry I had that “what am I doing here” feeling. Everyday was getting harder and harder to clock in. I got a job offer to manage and pierce at a new tattoo shop a friend of mine was opening. There was no guarantee how slow it would be at first, meaning I might not make money right away. It was scary, I had to really make the choice that felt the best. Stay in comfort and unhappy or take a risk. I took that risk, put in my 2 weeks and took the job. It was indeed slow in the beginning. There was a month or 2 that I didn’t think I’d make my rent. There were a few times I wondered if I made the right choice, but when I’d look into the future I just knew it was and didn’t give up.
Almost 9 years later and I look back at those decisions so thankful. As hard as they were, they payoff for discipline is beautiful!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Vidabaye_ink
• Other: Shop Instagram Inknbeautytattoo