We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anna(bug) Jarvis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anna(bug), looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

My dad always told me: “Find a way to get paid for doing something you love.” That advice stuck with me, even during the times I wasn’t sure what that “something” was.

I met Megan at the tattoo shop she was working at and asked if she’d take me on as an apprentice. She couldn’t say yes at the time, but that didn’t stop me. I kept asking—every time I saw her—for almost two years. Eventually, when she opened her own shop, she brought me on board.

It was exciting—but also terrifying. Suddenly, everything was on me. I had to manage my own schedule, juggle another job to stay afloat, and slowly build up enough clientele to make tattooing a full-time career. From the help of my best friend buying me my first tattoo machine to my mentors dedicated to teaching me, This year, I finally made it happen. I quit my side job and committed fully to tattooing.

Growing up, I always loved art, but I was scared to pursue it seriously. People constantly say, “Art doesn’t sell,” and I let that fear shape my choices. I was so focused on supporting the people around me that I never thought I could take a risk for myself. I played it safe, staying inside this bubble of what others expected of me—putting on a mask to fit in.

Tattooing changed that. Being in a shop, doing what I love, and creating something personal for each client—it brought out my true self. That mask started to fall away.

Taking that first step into tattooing was the best decision I’ve ever made. I had so many doubts: What if I’m not good enough? What if I mess up someone’s skin? And honestly, a little anxiety is healthy in this industry—it keeps you sharp. But pushing past that fear, just far enough to try, can lead to something incredible.

You might just surprise 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.

I spent my my younger years sitting on my bedroom floor painting until the birds told me it was morning or my mom had to take the paint brush out of my hand and force me to stop and be a person.

Once I got my foot in the door, tattooing quickly became more than just a job—it became my life. I spent countless hours drawing, tackling every challenge thrown my way, and practicing straight lines over and over until they felt second nature. When I finally got my hands on fake skin, I was at the shop until 4 a.m., fully immersed in the grind, pushing myself to grow.

Through all that practice, I discovered how much I love black and grey work. The moodier, the better—if it’s dark, creepy, or a little twisted, I’m all in. Lately, though, I’ve been dipping my toes into color, and to my surprise, I’ve fallen in love with that too. I’m still learning who I am as an artist and figuring out what truly defines my style. But for now, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with a little bit of everything.

When a client sits in my chair, my top priority is making sure they feel comfortable—like we’ve known each other for years. As someone who struggles with anxiety myself, I understand how intimidating the process can feel. I do everything I can to ease those nerves and create a space where people feel safe, supported, and heard.

The chance to create something meaningful for someone—and to see how proud and happy they are with the final piece—fills a part of me that just wants to help others feel good in their own skin. I want every tattoo I do to feel like it belongs to the person wearing it. Like it says something about who they are. And I won’t stop until we get it just right.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I was offered the apprenticeship, the shop wasn’t even open yet. But that didn’t matter to me—I just wanted to get started any way I could. So I showed up, picked up a paintbrush, sanded floors, and helped bring the space to life. All for the chance at a chance. All while working another job and dealing with life outside of work.
I barley had time for the shop at first but made sure it still took top priority over everything else.

To me, it wasn’t just manual labor—it was part of the journey. I was ready to do whatever it took to earn my spot and get started as soon as possible. Just being in that space, helping build something from the ground up, made it feel even more real. I wasn’t just stepping into a shop—I was helping create it

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

I’ll admit..im terrible at being on my phone, which sucks when your job needs you on it 24/7 almost.
Im getting better being on social media but I found in person worked for me in the beginning. I would go to events and promote my work or sit at the shop and wait for them to come in on a random Tuesday.

Being present on social media is a huge part of a tattoo artists carrer. Just know if it’s not your strong suit doesnt mean there’s not another way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.heybabetattoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ink.bug13?igsh=cGQxbmtoOGZiM25y
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GHspEmg1U/

Image Credits

I took the photos. Anna jarvis