We were lucky to catch up with Solymar Gonzalez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Solymar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

SOLYMAR

Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work?
Yes, but it wasn’t overnight.
I have always loved to draw. Around 2018, after graduating with my BA from Devry University, I knew I wanted to be in a creative field. I was working a regular job at the time, but art was always pulling me back. I also had about ten different side hustles, including cake decorating, tattooing, photography, designing logos and invitations, face painting, and even creating bookmarks for funerals. I was willing to create anything if it meant I could keep building something of my own.
But no matter what else I did, people kept coming to me for tattoos.
At first, I was ordering all my supplies online and waiting forever for shipments. Then one day, I found a local shop that sold tattoo supplies, and that small shift changed everything. While I was there, I saw they offered certification classes. My in-laws offered to help with the class fee and signed up without hesitation.
I passed, got licensed, and was so excited! But growth isn’t always smooth. When you level up, sometimes people fall off. I lost clients. I had to rebuild my name and find my own style in a competitive industry.
Then in 2019, I landed what I thought was my dream job as a graphic artist, but I lost it within four months when COVID shut everything down. That moment forced me to bet on myself.
I opened my own small 10×16 studio behind my home and created a space that felt safe, welcoming, and comfortable. And my tattoo career took off!
I don’t advertise everywhere. Most of my growth has been word of mouth. People come because of how they feel in my space, and that’s something I’m really proud of.
I feel like Will Smith in the movie Hitched. I have a loyal following because of the comfort and freedom people feel when they are here. That’s what built my business.

I started earning a living from my creative work around 2018 after I graduated with my BA from devry university. as i was applying for work in the field i graduated while also working for a company that has nothing to do with arts i was doing 10 different side hustles to make my own money. I would cake decorate, tattoo, take pictures, create invitations for many occasions, back drops, logos, face paint for birthday parties and even book marks for funerals. but people mostly came to me for the most part for tattoos.. so i slowly put all my attention to that.
I would always buy my supplies online and they always took long to arrive until one day i drove by a store that sold tattoo supplies locally and i would purchase my merchandise there. i didn’t have to wait long anymore
one day when i went to buy my supplies they had a class to get tattoo certified and i remember coming home and my in-law without hesitation gave me the 300 for my class. of course i passed and i quickly applied for my tattoo license. i was legit and super excited
but with every great comes loss many people stopped coming to me as they new i had a license. it took me a while to gain my fan base and clientele back. and i knew if i wanted to pursue my career in tattoo i had to be different than all that were already around me in the competition.
Around 2019 i had landed my dream job and was hired as a graphic artist. but i came into the company through a temp agency and covid was also entering the states. i only had the position for about 4 months before i lost it because of the shutdown by that time the only source of income was my husband.
everything shut down so i knowing i had to be different i opened up bought my own 10×16 studio and decorated it and made it comfortable and welcoming also safe. and the tattoo career took off. but i am not advertised everywhere i like the word of mouth way of working for lack of better word .. im like will smith in the movie hitched lol. i have a huge following now people love coming to the studio because of the comfortably they feel and the freedom they have within the wall.

Solymar, 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?

For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc.
I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the States. I’ve always loved drawing, creating, and being part of something bigger. In High School, I played varsity softball and was featured in our local newspaper for helping our team win the city championship.
Although creativity has always been part of my life, I got into tattooing after getting my first tattoo at a local shop when I was 25. Something clicked. I realized this was a space where I could be an artist, connect with people, and build something people would trust and love.
What type of products/services/creative works you provide?
I specialize in tattoo services. Clients come to me for cover-ups, first tattoos, custom designs, and corrections from previous work. I also do professional photography and invitation design from time to time for longtime clients who trust my creativity, but tattooing is my main focus.
A lot of people come to me because they want someone who listens. I help turn their ideas and descriptions into artwork that feels personal to them.
What problem do you help solve for your clients?
Sometimes the problem is regret. Sometimes it’s fear. Sometimes it’s just not feeling heard.
I work with clients who want to cover up old tattoos or fix past mistakes. I help turn those situations into something they’re proud to wear again.
I also help first-time clients who are nervous. Tattoos are permanent, and that can feel overwhelming. I help remove the fear. I explain everything, I show them the safety process, and I make sure they feel comfortable the whole time.
At the end of the day, I listen carefully and help people leave with art they love, sometimes uniquely designed for them, and an experience that feels safe and respectful.
What do you think sets you apart from others?
One thing that really sets me apart is transparency and safety. I walk my clients through everything, from the needles I’ll be using to how they are opened and properly disposed of. I show them the medical waste disposal process and explain expiration dates on equipment.
I never have anything open and ready to go beforehand. Everything is done in front of the client and explained in detail.
Many clients tell me they’ve never had another artist explain these things before. But I believe trust comes from education and honesty.
I also send clients home with aftercare ointment and clear instructions so they feel confident taking care of their tattoo.
When a client reaches out, they receive an automated message with basic prices and available time slots so they can book their appointment at their convenience.I offer a complete experience from booking to after care.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of being able to provide for myself and my family, doing something I love. I walk around and see people carrying art I created, and sometimes people stop me and thank me for the experience they had in my studio. That means everything to me.
I’m proud that people trust me and that they recommend me to others because they had a great experience and felt comfortable. I’m proud that they know that my work will be safe, of high quality, and affordable.
What do you want people to know?
I love what I do. And I do what my clients want me to do. I’m licensed (for 17 years now!), clean, experienced, and affordable. I treat every client with respect and care, whether it’s their first tattoo or their tenth.
My studio may be small, but the experience is intentional!

For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc, I was born in puerto rico raised in the states I love to draw and create things with art i love softball was a freshman in varsity in high school was in the newspaper for helping the team win city champs
i got into tattooing after getting my first tattoo at a local shop when i was 25 years old. i knew i could work in that field i knew i could be an artist people trusted and would love to come too
what type of products/services/creative works you provide for the most part i provide tattoo services.. i might take some professional pictures or create invitations here and there to customers that still confide in my talent and come to me for the service, what problems you solve for your clients clients have came to me to help fix errors made from previous artist, i have covered other artists works with new images, i have done first time images on new clients that have never gotten tattooed before, i have help create the images wanted with the descriptions given
and/or what you think sets you apart from others. one thing i can definitly sets me apart from others is that i go over the supplies im going to be using with my clients. i can say no one does this this is something i knew i wanted to do different. I go over the needle going to be used i show them that they are unopened and not prior used i show them where i will be disposing them when finished (Medical Waste Disposal Box) i also show them when the needle expires.. i never have anything already set and ready to go i do that infront of them. I love hearing them say wow i didnt know needles expired or wow my previous artist never did this or said that.. i also give them an ointment packet with instruction on how to care for the tattoo.
when they reach out for an appoint i have an automated response that explains my basic prices and how most people let me know what is wanted. the appointts are booked by the time and days the customer wants.
What are you most proud of I think i am most proud of being able to provide for myself ..knowing that there are lots of people walking around with art i provided for them .. i am proud walking around and having people stop me because they recognised me to thank me for the experience they had. i am proud knowing that many people trust me and share me with others to come my way for a great expierence and because the work is clean and priced affordably
and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc. I do what is asked, i love what i do i am affordable, i am clean licensed for 17 years and experienced

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My audience first started to grow by word of mouth. I always got new clients after doing tattoos on other clients because when their friends family or random people saw the work i provided they liked it and would reach out. i felt like will smith in the movie hitched. then i created a fb page then an IG page then TT. i always edited the pictures i took of my work with adobe photoshop and canva. my IG got more recognition so i have the most following on there advice post lots of pictures people love pictures they love color

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

knowing that there are lots of people walking around with art work (tattoos) done by me
being recognized as one of the best artists in my area
being recognized when im out an about and stopped and thanked for the experience they had during their session
being able to fix an error others were scared to fix for the client
most of all being of service .. i love being the one they can trust and come too

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @solymartaz
• Facebook: @sgstudiosllc
• Other: @sol_inks (tiktok)