Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Boo Driskill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Boo, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Our shop TRADING POST TATTOO is as true to tattooing as it can be. A real blast from the past, with some modern touches. The industry has been watered down over the past decade or so thanks to TV shows, career changes during COVID, and the forced injection into the industry. I just want to show people the magic in tattooing before it totally disappears, and what lured me in over a decade ago.
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 heard someone say “Doing blue collar tattoos on blue collar people” and that really piqued my curiosity. Once I started to get tattooed, I really took interest in how they were made. They all start with a design. The best designs come from flash,,, a hand painted representation of your newest addition. I became obsessed with painting flash. Taking ideas from all walks of life and someone coming in and choosing to wear it forever. It’s exhilarating. Those sheets are advertisements for what you are worth. It can’t be faked. The actual tattoos are the final test of all the hard work to get that design to its new home. Made with hand made machines, hand mixed pigments, and a smile. We love the community feel of the shop. Friends from the neighborhood stop in routinely and the regulars who keep us working make going to work an honor. There are plenty of tattoo shops around, but not like ours.
Have you ever had to pivot?
The shop I learned to tattoo at closed during my 2nd year of tattooing and left me in a bit of limbo. Me and my wife packed up and moved to Virginia. At the time, it probably wasnt the best idea. It turned out to be the best move possible. I got in with a group that showed me the way, The real tattoo culture, Relationships that you will have forever, memories from traveling to visit friends shops, sharing stories and ideas. We loved our time in Virginia, but wanted to come home and start our life here.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
For a tattooer, word of mouth and healed tattoos are the best way to get new people in the door. The experience is just as important as the tattoo itself. Bad experiences stick around as long as a bad tattoo will. Fresh tattoos can look great, but they wont always be fresh. I care more about how the tattoo will look in 10 years than how many IG likes it gets.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @boodriskill
