We were lucky to catch up with Nicole DeRoy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Your tattoo is far beyond ink in the skin, I feel that tattooing imprints energy into the soul of the wearer. The tattoos I create carry intentionality, every detail is considered from an energetic perspective. What kind of energy does the symbology carry? What message does the tattoo imagery share? These are all questions I ask before going into every tattoo session.

When we look at our tattoos daily, we remember not only the artwork, but the energy of the experience.

Similarly, I use intentionality to create a nurturing energetic environment, ensuring that my energy is at it’s highest vibration, as I believe the energy of the artist can be transferred to the client, that the tattoo creates an energetic portal. I utilize routine mindfulness practices and energy work to keep my energy right, and to ensure my cup is filled so that I can overflow that positivity into my client during their tattoo experience.

Upon request I infuse Reiki energy into the tattoo inks and flow this universal life force energy into the body of my client for them to receive throughout their session. Another way I incorporate energy work into my tattooing, is by offering the option of a ceremonial tattoo experience.

What is a ceremonial tattoo experience? Let me explain.
It is a spiritual container held specifically for my client’s highest good. I clear the energy of the space and set up an altar to honor their soul’s journey. I use my intuitive abilities to call in their spirit guides and ancestors, and we work with Tarot and Oracle cards to provide my client with divine guidance for where they are on their personal growth journey.
I collaborate with my client based on what we learn during the ceremony to create a customized personal tattoo talisman to infuse the experience, the lessons and the energy from what we discuss and learn together. I hold space for them to step into their power, and this tattoo acts as a permanent reminder to honor their energy and their process, and a testament of their sovereignty.

Nicole, 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?

Growing up in central Massachusetts, I was always an empathetic and sensitive child, and poured that energy into creativity. From a young age I dove into music and art. I was a student of classical dance, a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. You could always catch me creating art in many forms, including painting, drawing and poetry.

After experiencing a traditional path of going away to college in Rhode Island, I decided that a “normal” life wasn’t for me. I dropped out after changing my major 3 times, and poured my energy into making music and playing in a band.

Throughout my 20’s I worked tirelessly in the food and beverage service industry, playing gigs whenever I could on the side. I moved out to Los Angeles, California briefly to attend Musician’s Institute and completed a Certificate program as an Independent Artist in 2013. I shortly left LA and returned to live and work in the Boston area for several years.

I continued to face blocks in my profession as a bartender, and throughout my life, decades of chronic stress and health complications led to chronic dis-ease. I ultimately decided I could not thrive if I continued working for someone else.

In 2017 I decided to pursue tattooing, after years of collecting and growing interest in the industry. It just “made sense” with my artistic history and the desire to work for myself. I continued working as a bartender until 2019 when I finally landed an apprenticeship at a shop in Rhode Island after tirelessly searching.

After completing my apprenticeship in 2021, I quickly learned how important energy was in tattooing. I became aware of energy work when I started getting Reiki to help with my discomfort and chronic pain, which finally got diagnosed with Lyme disease and Endometriosis in 2020, and this started my own personal healing journey. Between the energy healing, herbalism and functional nutrition, was able to achieve remission in 2022 from both debilitating conditions. I have made it my mission to help others start their journey to heal through the power of tattoo, as it had set me similarly on a path of self love and empowerment so many years before.

In 2021 I earned my certification as a Reiki Practitioner in the 1st degree and my life continued to shift quickly. I recently earned certification with attunement as a Reiki Master this year in April 2024. I have also taken other courses in shamanic mindfulness practices, and received certification in reading Tarot as well.

It is my mission to help my clients fall in love with their bodies, to learn how to honor their energy, and assist in finding their personal power, however that may manifest for them.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Authenticity is key! Owning who you are, your strengths, your vulnerabilities, and sharing your process, your life and your story with your clients creates trust and allows them to peer into what makes you, you. I have used social media to connect with my clients beyond a “cool tattoo”. Showing them who I am gives them the opportunity to learn why they should trust me before they sit in my chair. I want to build relationships with my people, I want to create a network of self-empowered individuals who aren’t afraid to follow their dreams, and I wouldn’t be able to do that unless I let them get to know me on a soul-level.

I’ve learned that the people who I desire to build this community with, are out there looking for someone like me (and someone like you, too!), and that they won’t find me unless I cultivate the courage to show up and give them the opportunity to get to know me, and to learn to trust me.

That’s how you create loyalty, it goes both ways, and we all benefit.

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

Honestly, social media expedites the word of mouth process. You just gotta learn how to make it work for you. It’s all about magnetism and creating value. People are feeling more disconnected than ever, and they don’t want to follow accounts that just show them the same style pictures all day long, they’ll get bored.

People want to grow, they want connection, and they want to know they can trust you before working with you. It’s all about speeding up the process and giving them the opportunity to find YOU with content that makes their life BETTER.

Show up as the light you’re meant to be and the rest will fall into place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nicolederoy.com
• Instagram: @nicolederoytattoos
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/nicolederoy333
• Yelp: Nicole DeRoy Tattoos
• Other: TikTok: @sacredrebeltattoo

Image Credits

Headshot / Working photos credit: Sabrina DeCoursey
Tattoo Photos: Me (Nicole DeRoy)