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

Tam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

The defining moment in my career came during my time in corporate healthcare. I found myself pouring many hours into driving meaningful change, only to see progress bogged down by red tape. It was challenging to see talented employees move on , and I started to feel the personal strain as my long hours at work meant less time with my family. It was then I realized I needed to pivot—to find a path where I could make a real impact without sacrificing my personal and professional values.

Through this experience, I learned the importance of agility in driving change and the value of aligning my work with my personal priorities. I went back to my roots and realize that I was a ‘maker’ and ‘creator’ at heart- I decided to pivot in my 40s and become an artist.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Tam Patel, the founder of a permanent makeup studio called Pretty Little Ink San Diego, or as we like to call it, Plink! My journey into the world of permanent makeup was shaped by my passion for beauty, precision, and helping people feel confident in their own skin. With over 20 years of experience as a registered dental hygienist, I spent much of my career working closely with clients in a clinical setting, focusing on their comfort, safety, and care. Transitioning to permanent makeup felt like a natural step, allowing me to combine my healthcare expertise with my lifelong love for makeup and aesthetics.

Pretty Little Ink specializes in lip blushing and dark lip neutralization, offering personalized solutions that enhance natural beauty while saving time. I focus on creating results that feel modern, subtle, and empowering—this isn’t the permanent makeup of the past. For clients with hyperpigmentation, I bring a unique perspective and skillset. As someone who has experienced dark lip hyperpigmentation myself, I understand the emotional and aesthetic challenges it can bring. I’ve dedicated myself to mastering the techniques, tools, and pigments necessary to achieve beautifully even-toned lips.

What sets Pretty Little Ink apart is the combination of clinical expertise and artistry. My extensive healthcare background allows me to approach each treatment with a level of precision and care that’s hard to find elsewhere. From selecting the perfect anesthetics for a comfortable procedure to ensuring safety protocols are met, I make my clients’ well-being a top priority. Beyond that, my consultations are thorough and collaborative—I take the time to understand each client’s unique preferences and goals to deliver results that feel authentic and aligned with their vision.

I’m most proud of creating a space where clients feel cared for, understood, and confident in the process. Whether they’re looking for a subtle enhancement or a solution to a long-standing concern, I love seeing the joy or relief on their faces when they see the final results. My mission is to provide a high-maintenance look with minimal effort.

For potential clients, I want you to know that at Pretty Little Ink, you’re in expert hands. I’ve trained with top permanent makeup specialists and I continue to invest in ongoing education to stay at the forefront of my craft. Each treatment is personalized, gentle, and designed to enhance your natural beauty in a way that feels modern and timeless. Whether you’re new to permanent makeup or looking for a trusted expert, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

At Pretty Little Ink San Diego, it’s more than just a service—it’s about empowering you to feel confident, beautiful, and ready to take on the world.

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

This is a great question. Reputation building is always a work in progress- but two things stand out in my mind as the key for my reputation within the market:

1) My specialty within permanent makeup is a treatment called lip neutralization. This has also been a significant differentiator b/c my personal experience with hyperpigmentation allows me to connect deeply with clients facing similar challenges while always staying on top of the latest techniques and trends.

2) Educating on lip blush: for many years, I was always behind the scenes when it came to social media- but in 2024, I decided to show up more and engage with potential clients. I was tired of seeing really disheartening posts about bad permanent makeup work. So, I decided to lean in on educating more through social media using my own experience with lip blush and lip neutralization. I think I offer a level of empathy and expertise that resonates with my audience and I think that has positioned me as a leader in this specific field.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot many times with life and my career. I was a rising star in my career before the age of 35 and decided to get married and have children. I took 5 years off of work to take care of my children and it was challenging to feel a little lost in my career. But, I used that time to really hone in on my core needs/beliefs. It took a while to sort through it all, but I’ve honored this as all part of my journey in this world. Ultimately, I began my life focused on pleasing people, then it shifted to coaching people while in corporate healthcare, and now, it’s really all about sharing knowledge and art w/ people who can benefit from it. All of these changes throughout the course of my life and career have been a big part of the journey that I am on and w/ age comes a deeper understanding of this. I’m content w/ change.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.plinksd.com
• Instagram: prettylittleinksd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559034231405&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamanna-patel-rdh-mba-1153488/

Image Credits

Hannah Claire Photography