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

Romeo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

In today’s world, success doesn’t come easy. Every industry is saturated with competition, and standing out from the noise requires more than just talent—it takes an edge. That edge can come in many forms: a unique product, a signature style, or a powerful presence in your market.

But true success comes when you combine that uniqueness with strategy—whether it’s through smart marketing, meaningful relationships, or a strong network.

As a tattoo artist building my own company, I knew I had to bring more to the table. By mastering social media, cultivating a network of celebrity clients, and developing a distinct artistic style, we positioned ourselves for real impact. Today, we’re proud to be recognized as one of the top tattoo shops in the world.

Romeo, 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?

My name is Romeo Lacoste, and I’m a tattoo artist based in Los Angeles, California. I entered the tattoo world at the dawn of social media, and through visionary networking and viral content, I’ve become one of the most recognized tattoo artists in the world.

Over the years, I’ve had the honor of working with global icons like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, and many more. Through intentional and strategic use of social platforms, I’ve built a following of over 4 million and generated more than 1 billion impressions worldwide.

My work—defined by an incredibly detailed, single-needle micro style—has earned me magazine covers, TV show appearances, and a reputation that’s difficult to replicate. But none of this came easy.

As one of the first to truly lead in the tattoo space on social media, I had to carve out my own path and create blueprints that didn’t exist. It took relentless hustle, resilience, and the courage to innovate. And through it all, I’ve built not just a brand, but a legacy—one that inspires others to dream bigger and push boundaries.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the greatest challenges our business has ever faced is happening right now. Having built my entire career and brand on the foundation of social media, I’ve seen firsthand how drastically the landscape has changed.

The algorithms, the platforms, the content formats—what worked three or four years ago no longer drives results today. Like many businesses, we’ve had to unlearn old strategies and completely reinvent our approach. The shift to fast-paced, short-form video content—where quantity often trumps the traditional idea of quality—has forced even the most established brands to adapt or risk falling behind.

But we’re not here to be left behind. We’re here to lead. Through resilience, innovation, and a commitment to staying ahead of the curve, we’ve embraced the change and are already seeing powerful growth from our new strategy.

Because the truth is simple: evolve or be replaced. And we’re choosing to evolve—stronger and smarter than ever.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For me, success has come from a combination of key strategies. The two most powerful have been collaborating with influencers and celebrities, and consistently producing strong organic content.

Each of these can be effective on its own—but when combined, the impact multiplies exponentially. Many influencers and celebrities, depending on your product or service, are open to collaborations in exchange for free or comped offerings.

It all comes down to how you present yourself—your pitch, your confidence, and the exclusivity and quality of what you offer. When you’re truly great at what you do, and know how to communicate your value, doors start to open.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://RomeoLacoste.com
• Instagram: @RomeoLacoste
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/RomeoLacoste
• Other: Business Instagram: @TheCaliforniaDream