We recently connected with Kait Martinez and have shared our conversation below.

Kait, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I feel there are a lot of factors that come into play when we are trying to define what it takes to be successful.

Something important to note is that what one person may consider as successful may look different to another. I would say the same applies to happiness. Why that is, is because they honestly go hand in hand!

It took me some time and a lot of trial and error to realize that. Where happiness and passion are, success will follow :) I’ll list a few tidbits below that I feel have helped guide me to where I am now:

1. Accept failure. Failure is never an end all be all. It is a chance to try again or to redirect. Once you can accept this, anything is truly possible. I tried so many things until I reached tattooing, but each little journey on the way has contributed to where I am today :)

2. Consistency is key. If you stay on top of it, you’ll continue to grow and learn as you go. Nothing needs to be initially perfect because you’ll learn to perfect it over time. When I started tattooing, I was told to do at least one tattoo a day. And I know for a fact that consistency is what helped me excel quicker in my craft :)

3. Go where you are appreciated. A fish can’t grow in a small bowl, and neither can you. If you feel that your environment or your workplace isn’t helping you flourish or the people you surround yourself with aren’t supporting you, switch it up. Surround yourself in environments and people with good energy and see how your life shifts :)

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

I am a tattoo artist based in Orange County, California that specializes in fine line and realism :) My journey as an artist overall has been interesting to say the least lol.

I went to Cal State Long Beach to receive my BFA in Fine Art with an Emphasis in Illustration. My last semester of college I actually had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated so I searched on Google “Artist Jobs” lol. Tattooing was one of them. The description of a tattoo artist fit everything I was looking for so I thought yeah, let’s try this.

It was hard though trying to figure out how to enter the tattoo realm. I didn’t know how to find an apprenticeship. And being a shy, small, 22 year old woman, it was intimidating to go in a shop and ask to learn. I eventually was able to find a shop that taught artists like they were in a program. I did that for some months before I quit. I still had a lot on my plate, and I wasn’t able to give enough energy to it.

After I graduated from college, I tried so many different avenues with my art. I embroidered clothing. I hand painted hundreds of graduation caps. I did a lot of commission work. I also had a website where I sold art prints, stickers, and phone cases. Each of which I thought was “IT” for me, but none of them stuck. I guess I wasn’t passionate enough for any of them to keep the ball rolling. It was okay though! I just had to find something else :) While doing all of this, I took on jobs to support me while I tried to figure out how to make art my main source of income. I worked for a cookie company, a bakery, and a jewelry brand. All of which I feel still helped me be creative in one way or another and contributed to me being an entrepreneur.

About a year and a half ago, I was convinced to get back into tattooing. I thought that ship had sailed already and was scared to try again. This time around, I tried a different approach. I messaged artists that I really liked their work and wanted to learn from them. I got a no, a couple yeses, and some didn’t reply.

One day, an artist got back to me and asked if I could come to their shop to talk. Next you know, I started my apprenticeship the NEXT DAY, did my first tattoo a few weeks later, and quit my 9-5 job very shortly after that. And the rest is kind of history, ya know? Lol.

***and quick shoutout to my mentor, Bryan, for taking me under his wing :)***

It’s gonna be 2 years this coming December since I started on this fulfilling journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It has been the best decision I’ve made for myself and my life. I never thought I’d find something that lets me explore my love for art all while supporting me. I’ve been able to have freedom with my time, meet so many amazing people, and make some dope art on skin.

I can’t wait to look back a year or 5 years from now and see where I go from here :)

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

I receive a lot of my clientele through word of mouth and social media. From social media, what has helped me is the explore page and hashtags!

And one thing that’s amazing about tattoos is that there are people out in the world with my work on their bodies. Although it’s kind of weird to say, but they’re pretty much my walking advertisements lol. So, thank you to every single one of you that has ever gotten a tattoo from me :) You’re continually helping me grow and I’m forever indebted.

Also, it really helps that the tattoo world is rapidly growing and becoming more accepted! It’s almost rare to not have a tattoo now.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being genuine. This can apply to life in general. I like to move with a kind heart. I feel that carries over into my work and the interaction I have with my clients.

My clients are coming to me to so that they can leave with cool tattoos, but the experience of the appointment is just as important.

If you give out good energy, you will be able to receive it back :)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @baby.kait