We were lucky to catch up with Michael Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I’ve been tattooing now for 23 years, and I’m glad to have spent so many years with such wonderful artists learning all that I have. I’m glad to have taken all of those great experiences, and used them to create my shop Lucky Leopard. Although I’m glad to have put in the time, and I’m glad I’ve finally made that step, I do wish I had done it sooner. Saying that, I’m honestly just excited to be here in my present, and wouldn’t change a thing.

Michael, 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?

My name is Michael Williams. I’m from Oklahoma, and have been tattooing for 23 years now. I’ve been tattooing in Texas since 2004, and in Austin since 2007. Tattooing was illegal in Oklahoma when I started so the first shop I worked at was actually on the Oklahoma/Texas border! I began in walk in shops across the country, doing every style of tattooing. That’s how I discovered my love for traditional tattooing and tried to learn everything I could about it. I then started building tattoo machines for myself and others under the name BeardedGentleman and printing my artwork through my print company, Paper Panther Press.

Being a tattoo artist is an independent endeavor overall. You are in charge of your own business in pretty much every way, which prepared me to open my own space this year, Lucky Leopard! I wanted to open my own shop, take all of my best experiences tattooing over the years, and really create a comfortable and welcoming space to tattoo my clientele. A space focused on producing great art, and having long lasting relationships with my clients.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Tattooing for this long has been a wild ride of ups and downs. In the beginning it was very feast one week, famine the next. I would say the first thing that comes to mind when talking about my resilience in the industry is my tattoo origin story. Like I said, tattooing was illegal in my home state and therefore made it 100x harder to learn to tattoo, get equipment to tattoo and have any IRL examples of a professional tattoo studio. I had little to go on but persisted and kept drawing and kept pushing towards my ultimate goal of being a professional tattooer. I’m so glad I did! I’m very thankful to be in Austin, and have wonderful clients I’ve been working with for many years now. I couldn’t feel more thankful.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

For me, most new clients come from word of mouth and Instagram. It always feels good when someone is referred to me or comes across my work and takes the time to reach out.

Contact Info:

• Website: LuckyLeopardATX.com
• Instagram: BeardedGentleman

Image Credits
Dylan Mott Instagram – @Dylantattoosme