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

Rachel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Not only have I taken a risk as a young female tattoo artist in the industry 9 years ago, I took a risk when I opened my own tattoo studio 4 years ago.

I have always been a seeker of risk, the rewards are addictive! I’m from a very small town that fosters an environment of quiet, peace, and classic work; not very much trade work alone from mechanical work and carpentry. Artistry and self-expansion is rare in my town. This is what I craved, and I was willing to put myself in any environment to make that happen.

I was encouraged to go to college after high school and ended up graduating with a 3.8 gpa in graphic design & illustration. I loved it, but it wasn’t satisfying that crave I had. It felt too controlled, and I wanted more artistic freedom. tattooing had definitely crossed my mind in the past, but not in a way I believed would become a reality. There was only one successful artist from my area that paved the way for me to believe there was a chance, but I didn’t think it was within reach.
Luckily I had a push from a fellow colleague to pursue tattooing. And the rest is history.

I now own a tattoo studio in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and work with three other wonderful artists. I’ve had it for 4 years and it’s fulfulled everything I could hope for. taking this risk has led me to more opportunities that allow the most growth I’ve ever had in my career. I can’t imagine what the future holds but I know it will be filled with opportunity and abundance.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

From the time I figured out how to draw. I have always been creative. I never expected that it would be my future career. This is something I am proud of today, and I hope I can say in the future I’ll be proud of how far I’ve come.
I always looked up to tattoo artists since I first watched tattoo tv shows at a young age. I admired how much of themselves they put into their work the same way I did. I felt a sense of belonging from tattooing I didn’t feel anywhere else.
When I was 17 I got my first tattoo, a butterfly I had drawn myself with a quote underneath it. After walking into the studio and seeing the art on the walls by a local artist I loved, I fell in love with the idea of being a tattoo artist.
I was hooked and got another self-designed tattoo a few weeks later without my parents knowing. The trend continued on into college.
Eventually I landed a place to begin my tattoo career. It felt surreal for a very long time, I’d remind myself when I went home from the studio that I was trying something I always dreamed of trying. Just knowing that propelled me to success quickly, and 6 years later I took the next step and opened my own tattoo studio.
Throughout my creative career, I’d constantly see the number “67”. It was my lucky number, spirit number, whatever you want to call it. I saw it daily , sometimes multiple times a day. It only felt right to call my studio Room 67, it being a place where a dream became reality.
I faced many challenges opening a private studio. My shop got broken into and vandalized mid build. Local tattoo artists were not happy about me coming to town, and I injured a tendon in my arm which placed me out of work for 3 months. I was in a dark place because of all of this. I lost a lot of sleep and doubted myself and my capabilities. I treated myself in an unfair manor. Eventually, the opening process got moving and I was able to open 8 months after securing the studio.
I’ve been through a lot of silly things but becoming a business owner has to be number one on that list.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of finding new clients has been traveling. I am trying to do more conventions, guest spots and work related travel the next couple years. Meeting face-to-face with a potential fan/client is an amazing way to gain recognition.

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

I think what helped me build my reputation in the market is the fact that I don’t really stop. I am always onto the next move or thing that’s going to keep me moving forward. The resilience I’ve achieved after hustling my way to where I’m at in my career is something definitive of me.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: Thatbehmgirltattoo

Image Credits

Raymond Delk