We recently connected with Meg Knobel and have shared our conversation below.
Meg, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?
There are a lot of factors involved with being successful. Defining what “success” means to you also influences that answer. At its roots, privilege plays a big part as well- how set up for “success” are you before you’ve put your own effort in? Once you know your goals, and recognize your privilege, you have to feel out what path you’re going to work toward, assessing what risks you’re willing to take, or how long you’re willing to wait and work to achieve your goals. I think keeping your eye on the prize and recognizing when to change your plan or take an opportunity that presents itself are both key factors toward success, whatever that means to you. And, keeping in mind that “success” means a lot of things, some of which you may already have.
Working hard, utilizing what is available to you, and being flexible when you need to be… working smarter, not harder. Taking breaks when you need, and knowing when to ask for help. All of those things are greatly influential on finding success.
Meg, 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?
I’m an 80s kid Army brat with midwestern roots. I was raised by a strong single mother, with a support group of family in Wisconsin, moving around the country and having as much fun outdoors as possible.
While I was in college, the opportunity came for me to apprentice at a local tattoo shop… it turned out to be the best move I didn’t see coming. I finished my degree, focused on learning this trade, and moved to California for a fresh start. I’ve been surrounded by talent and owe much of my growth to my friends in the tattoo industry.
Currently, I am part of Outdoor Traditions Tattoo in San Diego, CA. We are a shop of chosen family, and lovers of nature. We thrive by building connections between likeminded people in the mountain bike, rock climbing, and outdoors communities, through tattooing, fundraising, and getting out on adventures. I’m proud to work with people with similar interests and goals, and honored to have so many clients who are stoked on what we are doing.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Being honest, hard working, and kind. Treating others as I would like to be treated.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
After a couple rough years with all the COVID-19 affects around the world, our small business had finally gained real traction. The shop space was really coming along, with fun projects being checked off and a few successful events under out belts. The shop had just opened a couple months before the initial COVID shutdown in 2020, survived it, and was beginning to thrive.
Then in November of 2021, a distracted driver plowed their vehicle at full speed into the front of our building, doing serious damage to supporting beams, the electrical, and compromising (essentially condemning) the integrity of the building. We were devastated. As we watched the tow truck drag the car out of the front of the shop, we were so thankful no one was inside at the time. But then came the instability of having the rug pulled from under us. We hopped around, the community helped us, and our clients really shared the love. Eventually, we found a temporary space where we could all work together while we waited for news about what would happen to our beloved South Park location.
Once the city approves the rebuild plan, our hope is to be back in our old spot sometime early next year. We are patiently waiting and working toward that goal, so we can be ready when that time comes. We are excited to get back to our shop events and rides soon!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.outdoortraditions.ink/
- Instagram: @megknobel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/angelopezc
Image Credits
Sebastian Gonzalez @sebg9