Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Raquel Gast. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Raquel, appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?
I’ve been fortunate to have the most outstanding clients I could’ve ever asked for. I try to show my appreciation and dedication to my clients above anything because it really is them that makes any of this possible. I recently did a giveaway online that gave 3 lucky winners a chance to receive free services for example. I had a lot of feedback from that including people reaching out to thank me for offering free services which I was not expecting! Clients commented giving their amazing ideas for what they’d do if they won, including 2 people wanting 18k Gold Tooth Gems of the other’s first initial for their wedding. I also had someone reach out saying he would choose to get freckle tattoos because natural freckles are affected by hormone replacement therapy. I happily responded offering the service free of charge even if he was not to win the giveaway. I’ll always continue to help my clients in any way I can while still growing and maintaining my business and I feel very lucky to do so.
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 Raquel and I am a Cosmetic Tattoo Artist and Tooth Gem Tech! I feel like many people have never heard of these titles so I’ll break it down. I use multiple techniques to tattoo makeup (like eyebrows, lips, and freckles) to look the most natural and fit every person differently, in their own unique way. Pain is minimal thanks to numbing agents and results can really transform your face or just give a subtle enhancement to your look! Unlike traditional tattoos, these tattoos are not for the spontaneous. I want all of my clients to be informed of pre-care and after-care steps that will keep their brows, lips and freckles lasting for years to come. Which is why I always provide free consultations by phone or in person to discuss the best service for everybody. Pigments are meant to fade over time (but will never fully disappear) to allow changes to be made in the future as the face changes. I always say “you don’t want to be 50 something with a 20 something year old’s eyebrows”. Touch-Ups are optional as the years pass and I send email updates and reminders to maintain contact incase anyone needs anything! If you’d like to see fresh and healed examples of any of the above services please visit my instagram (@raqcosmetictattoo) or website portfolio at www.raqcosmetictattoo.com/portfolio.
Tooth Gems, on the other hand, are tiny, shiny, cute crystals, 18k gold or opals that adhere to a tooth’s surface the same way a brace bracket would when you get braces. I offer over 600 different tooth gems of different colors, materials and designs which can cause some clients that are indecisive to need some help choosing because they’re all so cute!!! Gems can last as long as multiple years if properly taken care of. Regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene are encouraged and always discussed at your appointment. People really love the tooth gems because they’re non-invasive which means no drilling, no pain and no big commitment! They’re just a fun way to show your individuality through decorative and reflective gems on your teeth. We have gems that suit EVERYONE including designs for certain interests like rollerskating, hairstyling, and even tattooing with a little 18k gold tattoo machine tooth gem! The possibilities are so extensive for all of the services I provide which allows me to get very creative at work.
What I do is meant to make people feel good about themselves and their features and it’s what I strive for every day with my clients.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
I never thought this would ever become my full-time career or anything of the sort. I dropped out of college, I had just gotten sober, and my short-lived hosting job was terminated due to Covid. I was basically just testing the waters to try to see if there was anything out there besides basic retail or restaurant jobs. But I quickly dropped all other hobbies and became absolutely obsessed with cosmetic tattooing, the procedures, the best supplies and providing the best results I could. Getting certified is so easy and I remember thinking “is this really all I need to do?”. Definitely not. It took months of drawing hair strokes before my results had a relative resemblance to eyebrow hairs. After working with my mentor for a little over a year at her permanent makeup studio, I was offered a job at a new tattoo shop in Ferndale. Dharma Tattoo Collective really gave me the space and comradery I needed to really flourish into my own style, techniques and to become the one-of-a-kind business I am today! I think my milestones are still ahead of me. I’ve only been in business about 3 years now and I still have a long way to go and a lot of new things to explore!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Above anything else, because my job constantly requires working with people, that customer service is absolutely the most important thing. How your clients feel in your chair predicts how that appointment will end. On a good note or on a bad one. If you make them laugh, listen when they vent, and allow them to be comfortable, they are guaranteed to tell to their close friends and family about the environment you created for them. Then the results are the cherry on top! People aren’t just coming for your services, they’re coming to see you! 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.raqcosmetictattoo.com
- Instagram: @raqcosmetictattoo
Image Credits
Photos by Moriah Rayne, Miles Marie and Raquel Gast