We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emilee Rivers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emilee below.
Emilee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
From day one of being in the tattoo industry and learning of what all goes into each session, I immediately knew that I wanted to do things differently. In this industry most everything you use in a session is single use. Which means that at the end of a session you clean it all up and toss it into the trash. Plastic wrap, plastic ink caps, plastic rinse cups, plastic tray covers, you name it.
I hated the idea of creating that much of a foot print so I immediately did research to find companies that made compostable products. What we like to call Eco- tattooing. My gloves, tray covers, ink caps, rinse cups, machine bags, bottle covers, wrap, trash bags, etc. its all compostable. Even some of the cartridges I use (minus the needle) are compostable as well.
I love using all of these Eco products and supporting companies that are creating new innovative ways to change the industry!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello!
My name is Emilee and I am a tattoo artist. I used to own a bakery for almost 8 years and during that time I started getting tattooed by Raimi at Tattoo Kintsugi. We created a very lovely business friendship. I would take photos, help with content, chat about business and life and she would give me amazing tattoos. As the friendship developed she mentioned she was going to be taking on apprentices. I told her that sounded super cool and Im always open to learning new forms of art, but I didn’t think I would be able to do it this year due to the chaos of wedding season. Long story short she told me to apply anyways so I did and here we are!
I absolutely fell in love with the craft, the process, the people. Its such a rewarding type of art and knowing that my tattoos exist out there and travel around the world with people is pretty incredible.
I am really proud of the space we have created as artists at our studio. It is warm, welcoming, bright, full of plants and conversation. There isn’t a day that goes by where you don’t hear someone laughing and having a great time. I have been told over and over again “this is truly the best tattoo experience I have ever had”.
Being someone that has experienced quiet the opposite while getting a few of my tattoos I knew I wanted to present myself differently than what I had experienced first hand in the past. I always strive to make sure people feel comfortable, with the placement, with the conversation (or silence if you prefer), that you are comfortable with the process, etc. Im constantly asking if you are okay with me starting. Reminding people if they need a moment to breathe that’s totally okay. Checking in periodically throughout the piece because I know how stressful it can be to ask for what you need during a session.
I just am really proud of the experience I feel like I am able to provide ontop of the art. I think sometimes that falls by the wayside, because great art isn’t always seen as going hand in hand with great service.
I love knowing that people feel comfortable enough to tell me about their lives and to come back time and time again!
It truly is such a pleasure to be able to put art on such lovely canvases.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I feel like this is my true origin story. When I was 21 I opened a bakery. It was everything I thought I wanted for the rest of my life. As the years went on, the business grew and became more successful. The more successful it got, the busier my life got. As time went on I started to realize that life was passing me by. I had created this really amazing thing that wasn’t serving me in the way I thought.
So after years of thought and hard work to get there, I decided that I was going to do a full on pivot and close my shop. (all the while I was running a very popular cake shop AND tattooing at the same time)
This was something that no one saw coming, but it was an amazing choice that I was lucky enough to be able to choose to make. So back in December, by my own accord, I closed my doors.
This was the first time in almost 8 years that I felt like I was making a decision truly for myself and my own well being.
I was choosing me for the first time in a long time and I didn’t need it to make sense to people.
It was a massive rebirth. The minute I locked up those doors for the last time, I felt like such a weight was lifted off of me.
I went from being the girl who didn’t have time to pour into her relationships or do her laundry.
To the girl who tattooed, went to New York alone, started Pole dancing, trying Trapeze, spending time with friends, making new friends, having time to be good at laundry and finding out that no time in the world could help with that problem.
I learned that needing to pivot, needing to change, needing to restart. none of that was bad. Now I tell everyone I meet, don’t do what I did. Don’t let almost 8 years of your life pass you by before you decide to grab ahold of it and do what you need to do to truly LIVE to the fullest.
Now instead of living to work. I happen to have a career on the side, but life takes the drivers seat. Ive learned to say Yes to me more often and damn is that refreshing.
We only get this existence once, so might as well give it everything we’ve got.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Social media and word of mouth. I have found over the years that people are searching for someone authentic. A beautiful profile is an amazing thing, but for something as big and as important and getting something permanent put on your body people also want to make sure they are comfortable with you as the artist.
So I always make sure to share who I am as an individual on my profile. I keep my feed a bit more curated, tattoos, reels, while also sharing some personal/travel reels as well.
When I see the most growth/follower gain is when Im actively sharing stories of my life. What I’m doing, things I enjoy, sharing about lovely clients. Showing off my stupid cat backpack that I take my cat to the vet in and sharing photos of my pup. The more I put my face out there and personalize my stories the more interaction I get, more new followers, and more clients sending in requests.
Ive realized over the years that your followers/ potential clientele just want to know that you’re human and that they are going to enjoy their experience as much as they enjoy the art.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photos of me/behind the scene photos : Sarah Brewer @sarahbphotography_
tattoos photos: me