We were lucky to catch up with Isaiah Gilchrist recently and have shared our conversation below.

Isaiah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.

Before I became a tattoo artist, I was 20 years old working at a deli cutting meat and making sandwiches just to make ends meet. I was living with a few roommates when I found out I was probably going to be fired. That moment forced me to make a choice: wait it out or take a risk. I chose the risk.

I quit my job without a real backup plan and started tattooing from home. It wasn’t ideal by any means, but at the time, it was all I had. I had picked up some knowledge from past apprenticeships that didn’t work out, and I decided to bet on myself. I spent two days practicing on friends and then started taking real clients out of my living room. That was the beginning.

Looking back, taking that risk was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I now own a private studio and have won an award for my work. None of it would’ve happened if I hadn’t taken that leap when everything felt uncertain.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Isaiah Gilchrist, but most people know me as Sai. I’m the founder of 2VACANT, a private tattoo studio that specializes in fine line, black and gray work. I’ve been tattooing professionally for over five years now, and my path into this craft wasn’t traditional but it was intentional.

Before I was a tattoo artist, I was 20 years old working in a deli, unsure of what my future looked like. I had a few apprenticeships that didn’t pan out, but I held onto what I learned. When I lost my job, I took a risk and started tattooing from my living room with the limited tools and knowledge I had. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was the foundation. I leaned into the discomfort, trusted my vision, and committed fully to the process. Over time, that risk evolved into a career and eventually into my own studio.

At 2VACANT, we provide more than just tattoos we create work that holds personal meaning, built on collaboration and trust. We offer custom pieces ranging from small, detailed designs to full-scale, multi-session projects. Our booking categories include lettering, cover-ups, portraits, and flash designs. What sets us apart is the emphasis on detail, technical precision, and emotional intention. Every tattoo is treated as an extension of the person wearing it and an extension of the artist creating it.

I’m proud to say that I’ve won a tattoo competition and built a loyal client base from the ground up. But more than anything, I’m proud of how far the studio has come from those early days working out of my apartment. Now, 2VACANT stands as a space that prioritizes art, professionalism, and experience, with a clear point of view and a strong standard of work.

What I want potential clients and followers to know is that this brand is built on intention. Every detail from the design process to the energy in the room is thoughtfully considered. I’m not here to rush people in and out of a chair. I care deeply about the experience, the quality, and the story behind each piece. Whether you’re coming in for your first tattoo or you’re continuing a larger project, you’ll be treated with the same level of respect, care, and precision.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely. At the core of my creative journey is the mission to demystify tattooing and to spread knowledge about an art form that was once considered taboo. I want to show people that tattooing is more than just a trend or aesthetic. It’s a craft, a discipline, and a legitimate business.

As my career has evolved, I’ve leaned more into education, sharing not only the creative side of tattooing but also the process and structure behind it. There’s so much that goes into being a successful tattoo artist beyond just technical skill: client experience, pricing, professionalism, and sustainability as an artist. My goal is to teach that, especially for up-and-coming artists who may not have access to a traditional apprenticeship or guidance.

I believe in making this path more transparent, more accessible, and more respected. Whether through mentorship, content, or conversation, I’m committed to helping others understand and elevate the craft.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my journey came about six months after I started tattooing out of my home. That’s when I landed my first official position as a tattoo artist at a shop. It was there that I really built the foundation of my craft, learning not just techniques but how to operate within a professional studio environment.

I worked at that shop for about a year, but over time, I started to realize that if I wanted to build something truly my own and reach a higher level of creative and financial freedom, staying there wasn’t going to get me there. Most shops take around 50 percent of an artist’s earnings, and I knew I could be reinvesting that into my own vision.

So I made the decision to step away, return to working independently, and ultimately relocate to a new city where I could rebuild on my own terms. That pivot allowed me to keep 100 percent of my income, reinvest in my setup, and create a space where I could work at my own pace without creative or financial limitations.

That decision was a turning point. It set the foundation for what would eventually become my private studio. It taught me that betting on myself was always going to yield the best return.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.2vacant.com
• Instagram: With.sai
• Youtube: Withsai777