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

Emily, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At Sacred Soul Tattoo, we’ve built an inclusive, trauma-informed space where both artists and clients feel safe to be themselves.

In an industry that can sometimes feel intimidating or exclusive, we focus on slowing down, listening, and creating tattoos that are as much about healing and empowerment as they are about art. From memorial pieces to scar cover-ups, we’ve seen tattoos help people reclaim their stories, and that’s the difference we’re proud to make.

Emily, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Emily Myers, owner of Sacred Soul Tattoo in Cornelius, NC. We are a woman-owned studio built on the belief that tattooing can be deeply personal, empowering, and even healing.

My career actually started in nursing, where I learned how to connect with people in vulnerable moments, listen without judgment, and create a safe, supportive environment. Those skills now guide everything I do as a tattoo artist.

Over time, my passion for art and self-expression pulled me toward tattooing. I saw how tattoos could help people reclaim their bodies, mark milestones, and tell their stories in a way nothing else could. Eventually, I left nursing to open Sacred Soul, a collaborative, non-corporate space where artists have the freedom to grow, and clients are met with care, empathy, and intention.

Many of our clients come to us for transformative work, memorial pieces, scar cover-ups, or tattoos that honor life’s pivotal moments. One of my proudest moments was when a client told me, “This is the first time I’ve felt in control of my own story in years,” after finishing a scar cover-up.

That’s what sets Sacred Soul apart we’re not rushing people through the door; we’re creating art that lasts a lifetime and experiences that stay with you just as long.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My biggest pivot was leaving a career in nursing to become a tattoo artist.

Nursing taught me how to care for people in vulnerable moments, but I craved a creative outlet that could celebrate their stories, not just treat their wounds. I took the leap, carrying those same skills, empathy, precision, and patience, into tattooing.

That shift led me to open Sacred Soul Tattoo, where I now help people heal, reclaim, and express themselves through art.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

In the early days of Sacred Soul, there was a month where I thought I might not make it. I’d just dealt with a major shake-up in the shop, losing an artist unexpectedly, and the schedule (and my income) took a big hit.

It was one of those moments where you’re staring at the numbers wondering how you’re going to keep the lights on. Instead of crumbling, I threw together a flash event, promoted it like crazy, and leaned on the loyal clients who believe in what I’m building.

By the end of the week, not only did I cover everything, but I booked out the next month. It taught me that resilience, creativity, and community can pull you through even the scariest close calls.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jawthemeswimmingtattoo.com
• Instagram: Sacred_Soul_Tattoo
• Facebook: Sacred Soul Tattoo Studio