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

Hi Cloud, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The biggest risk I have taken in life had to be when I began tattooing. I had absolutely no idea that this is what I would’ve been doing 7 years ago. Originally I wanted to be an adolescent psychologist but things took a turn the day my bestfriend bought a machine to my house. That was the day everything changed, I gave myself my first small tattoo and fell in love with the process and just being able to think of being my own boss, mind you this was during covid. I ended up sticking to it for a few months and quit my warehouse job and just stuck with it, doing small tattoos $25 – $50 or even free sometimes. Seven years later I’m here today to explain my story on how my journey had been, but I can say it was the best risk I haven taken in my life.

Cloud, 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 am a 29 years old female Black / Grey realism artist. I absolutely love what I do and the people I have met along the way, no matter if it’s artist or client. I truly love the connections I have made with everyone who has crossed my path, I strive to provide not only good quality tattoos but also an experience, building connections and comfort is the biggest thing for me. My brand name is cloudnine ink and the name is just a representation of me always down for whatever and just up in the air a lot. At first it started as just a nickname until I actually became Nine for short. All in all, I am all about the business but I truly love being able to draw on people basically for a living, and make longterm connections. I’ve had clients at times tell me that I helped them through a tough day just from my art and being able to create with my hands,

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe that being naturally me and sticking in my own lane is what helped me build my reputation. Im not in competition with anyone or worried about what someone else is doing. I have always strived to be unique in my artwork and how I represent myself in the tattoo industry. I’ve learned that people don’t need tattoos but want them so you have to make people want to come and work with you, as well as being a good person also helps in this type of world we live in today.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that everyone’s time comes when they are ready. In order to be great at something it’s all about the work you put into it to really be the best you can be. I learned that there always room to progress and better than you were as long as you put in the work. It will not be handed to you. Nothing in this life is and unfortunately a lot of people think otherwise and that’s why they stay at a standstill. I work hard everyday to be the best version of myself and my work. Never give up and my favorite saying is to not try is to fail. A lot of times back then I would get in my head to much and think I would never be where Im at today, until I had to learn I am on my journey and to be patient and keep faith.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @__cloudnine