We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nikita Balakirev a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nikita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Most of the people take extra time for a preparation before stepping into a new field in their lives. I didn’t have an opportunity to do so: a new field found me itself. Remembering how it happened still gives me thoughts about a destiny, a God or whether everything existing is already written or not… I just woke up one day knowing that I would be a tattoo artist. It was really mysterious: I hadn’t had any thoughts about it before, even that night I wasn’t dreaming about anything like that. Although, I knew it. Ever since then I was never known to leave my first tattoo machine alone. So, the question still remains open: was it the universe that put me on the right path without me knowing or I just forgot I was dreaming about it that night?

Nikita, 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 Nikita aka Nik. I’m a 21 y.o tattoo artist from Russia. I moved to the US when I was 19, right when the one of the 21 century’s hardest times for the humanity happened: the coronavirus. My transition to this country was perfect: I had been grown on the western culture, so, right when my plane touched down I felt myself at home. I’m a pretty easy going man, so my networking thing was on point: I started getting first tattoo clients and had an opportunity to practice my craft. I’ve always been passionate about what I’m doing, so every next work had to be better, no matter what. Even small, not visible things matter, till this day. Meanwhile, the life of a young immigrant was a different animal, I had to survive in the capital of the world: the Big Apple itself. Waking up at 4 am to go to work every day to get some food on the table, living during the “coldest” times for the city and the country, never broke me, otherwise, fueled me. Learnt a lot there, I decided to travel and to find a good place for myself. I settle in Galveston, TX and applied for a first job as a tattoo artist! Thanks to Ricky Tucker, a legend, who took me in. Building up the portfolio and getting more experience I realized I had reached the ceiling and decided to move to one of the best places of the entire world- Austin, Texas. Working here at the Blindside tattoo studio I gained more experience. I have to give credits to Mr Siego who gave me the confidence I have and changed my perspective on certain things in the industry. I was able to open my own studio after which I’m very proud of. Now I’m more than ever focused on my art because now art is my life and my art is me!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I’ve always been doing things the way I wanted to. Till this day. I think when a person is really in tune with themselves, does things naturally and follows one’s heart, only good things come around. So, obviously, I cannot come back and change anything and, moreover, I can’t know what would’ve happened if I had had another choice. But, really, a question: if we do everything we are supposed to (God’s plan, whatever), we do everything according to our inner calls, is there a choice at all?… ooops, going too philosophical again, gotta think on this one, though:)

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I think at any form of social connections, if want to network, first of all, you have to become a person worth networking with. An appreciation of people around you will give you everything you need to have, only if it’s a true appreciation and a true love. Acting out of love, not out of fear is always the best strategy!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://369tattoos.com/
• Instagram: @nik_ink1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikita.balakirev.92
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/G4fubzT3Xtb

Image Credits
@johnzapataphoto @austintx__ph Thank you @untouchableinks the Brooklyn tattoo studio for having me as a guest artist