We recently connected with Najee Winder and have shared our conversation below.

Najee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I was able to turn a self driven passion into a full -time living. My love for art as well as tattoos at a young age have helped me establish a stable career through the use of my skill and talent.

My senior year of high school, I took an art class for the first time. Here I learned a real passion I had for art as it was the only class I enjoyed attending and had the most fun with. It brought me joy and happiness. Following high school, entering my freshman year of college, my days of being a student-athlete had came to an end. I then decided I wanted to be a successful entrepreneur. During my first few moths of college, I started getting more and more tattoos and started to think to myself that it could be a skill I’m capable of learning. My mom played a big part in getting me started as she gifted me my first tattoo kit for Christmas of 2019. I started off practicing on fake skin, seeing the potential in myself early. I continued on to teach myself the skill. Once comfortable in my abilities, I did my first ever real tattoo. I made a post on Instagram, and since then I have pretty much been booked. With the support early on from friends and family, they assisted with me starting out and building my clientele and portfolio.

From day one, I was strongly motivated in myself as I was now making money off pure talent and passion. I set goals for myself and had the dedication to chase them. The feeling of generating income while doing something I loved was an incomparable feeling.

Honestly, as far as major steps or milestones that could have sped up the process, I feel as though everything happened as it was supposed to. The journey unfolded itself. Through time and consistency I knew the growth in myself as an artist as well as in my work will show. Priding myself on quality over quantity, consistent marketing, constant growth, and taking advantage of opportunities that present itself are just a few of the steps taken to get where I am now.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Najee Winder, born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas. I moved to Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 12. I became a professional tattoo artist at the age of 19, my primary career to this date. My love and passion for art and tattoos is what introduced and brought me into the industry. My preferred style of tattooing would be centered around black and grey and realism. Within the entrepreneurial field, not only am I an artist, but have also successfully took risks on other business ventures as well, building multiple streams of income.

I specialize in tattooing on various skin tones, whether light or dark. With my skills, artistic vision, eye for perfection and attractive aesthetic, is what I feel sets me apart from other artist. Not only am I able to complete a beautiful tattoo, but also one that will compliment my client as well.

I’m most proud of my journey, and how far I have come. I, as well as others always saw the potential in me as an artist. As well as picking up a new skill and adapting into a new industry that has worked out so well for me.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Early in my career I knew that proper and effective marketing is what will drive my business. From the beginning, prided myself on quality over quantity with all of my content. In addition to that taking advantage of social media, the reach to countless amount of people to has to offer.

Not only did I showcase my work, but I also put a face to the work as well. A lot of tattoo artist overlook this, but it gave me a but of an advantage being that I was also putting out content that my audience could relate to on a personal level as well. All of these factors assisted with growing my audience on social media.

My advice to anyone just starting to build their social media presence is for one, to find your niche. Once you’ve discovered your niche, post content that your audience can engage in. Keep up with the algorithms and stay consistent. Your brand will grow drastically,

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Freedom. Being able to have the limitless creative mind, freedom, and ability to express yourself thru whatever art form interests you. I feel as though this is the most rewarding as it is often seen in other careers or professions that people feel boxed in. As an artist/creative it is hard to feel boxed in, unless you are putting limitations on yourself. But, ultimately, the sky is the limit.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @inkedbynaj
• Facebook: InkedByNaj
• Twitter: @inkedbynaj
• Youtube: InkedByNaj
• Other: Tik Tok: @inkedbynaj

Image Credits

Kevin Dasilva – Instagram @kdproductions