Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kailynn Haley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kailynn, thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My parents are absolutely amazing and just let me be me. Whenever I wanted to dye my hair, or get a piercing, or anything else that seemed “extreme” to the southern culture I grew up in, they would be right there supporting my decision. I got my first tattoo when I turned 17. I told my parents that I wanted to get a tattoo and all they said was “Do your research on artists and sit on the design for a couple months before you get it.” The day of the appointment, my dad checked me out of school for a “doctors appointment” and we headed to the shop in New Orleans. I always knew that I wanted to be an artist and that day really made me see that tattooing was my journey. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. They were even some of my first clients! Every time I see them, they want to support my craft and get another piece done. I cannot be more grateful that they let younger me express myself when it could’ve been easier to say no.

Kailynn, 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?

My name is Kailynn Haley but you might now me on instagram as tattoosbykailynn. I am a fine line micro realism tattoo artist in Denver, CO. I am self taught and started right when covid hit the U.S. At first it was just a fun covid hobby and I still can’t believe that it turned into a full blown career. I typically like to tattoo random objects, bugs, famous paintings, Victorian era portraits, still life scenes, or anything with a western feel! My style and things I like to tattoo is always changing as I grow as an artist. I am most proud of the tattoo community for being so open to self taught artists. Just know that creating a business by yourself is achievable!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Honestly, Instagram. You can find just about every business on Instagram nowadays! It’s so easy for new potential clients to easily look through your portfolio and see if your vibes are matched. Managing a social media is a full time job, but its so worth it to be able to connect with clients, even before they come in! I can post on my story and reach so many more people than a mass email can.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Well I don’t have a business partner, but I can tell the story of how I met the owner of the shop I work at called MADÉ. Her name is Chloe and I basically fangirled over her when she opened the shop. It was such an inviting space and I dreamed of working there. When the opportunity of applying there fell into my lap, I was overjoyed. I anxiously filled out the application and got called to do a zoom interview. Let me preface this by saying that I have never used zoom before. I nervously answered the zoom call and realized that my mic and video were not working. Not a great start. Then I switched over to my phone to see if that worked and it did! Up until my phone died mid interview. I was so embarrassed and 100% thought I was not getting the job because my tech skills were awful. Low and behold, I got the call to do a second interview in person and that one went so much better. Chloe is such a gentle soul and so easy to connect with. I am so lucky to work with so many amazing friends.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Tattoosbykailynn
• TikTok: @tattoosbykailynn

Image Credits
Alden Bonecutter