Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tommy Tenzo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tommy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was leaving my job as a graphic designer and moving to the U.S. with my wife. At that time, I had only been tattooing for about a week. Despite having no English or Spanish skills, I walked into a walk-in tattoo shop in Miami, hoping to make it, but I struggled. I ended up taking jobs like moving to make ends meet.
Later, my wife and I moved to New York, where we rented a basement apartment. I worked construction during the day and did simple tattoos in walk-in shops whenever I had free time. I made it a priority to get into circles of world-class tattoo artists and learn from them. Over time, I moved to California and back to New York, continuously improving my skills.
After gaining more experience, I took another big risk—I invested all my savings into advertising and self-booking, trying to establish myself as a full-time tattoo artist. It took me about six years to transition from construction work to tattooing as my main career. Eventually, I went full-time as a tattoo artist for two years before moving to Denver, as my wife was pregnant and we wanted a more stable environment. Now, we’ve been here for over a year.
Looking back, every risk I took—leaving my stable job, moving cities, and investing everything into my craft—helped me grow both as an artist and as a person.
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.
I believe that getting a tattoo is more than just an appointment—it’s a meaningful moment that stays with a person for life. That’s why I prioritize a comfortable, professional, and memorable experience, ensuring that every client feels heard, understood, and confident in their decision.
My main focus is on creating tattoos that are refined, timeless, and deeply personal to those who wear them. Whether it’s intricate fine-line work or highly detailed micro-realism, I strive for precision and artistry in every piece.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. A tattoo is permanent, and knowing that people choose my work to be part of their story is incredibly rewarding.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
As simple as it may sound, the best strategy for attracting clients is to stay active and keep moving forward. In today’s world, there are countless resources and methods available to bring in clients in any industry. The real challenge isn’t just knowing these strategies—it’s actually taking action and staying consistent. Many people want success, but only a few are truly willing to put in the effort and adapt as they go.
In my experience, momentum is half the battle, and quality is the other half. When these two factors align—when you’re consistently putting yourself out there and delivering high-quality work—that’s when real success happens.
However, it’s not just about taking action for the sake of it. You have to research, analyze mistakes, and stay ahead of trends. If you don’t evolve with the times, your efforts can turn into aimless activity rather than meaningful progress. The key is to find a balance—focusing on both the quality of your work and the effectiveness of your actions.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I believe that building a strong reputation goes beyond just creating high-quality tattoos—it’s also about attention to detail in every aspect of the client experience.
One of the key factors has been my commitment to presenting my work in the best possible way. Photography plays a huge role in this. A tattoo may look incredible in person, but if it’s not captured properly, potential clients won’t fully appreciate the quality. That’s why I put a lot of effort into showcasing my work with high-quality images that accurately reflect the precision and detail of each piece.
Beyond the tattoos themselves, I focus on the aesthetics and style of my online presence. My social media pages and platforms serve as my portfolio—they represent me as an artist before I ever speak to a potential client. A clean, cohesive, and professional presentation helps create a strong first impression, an emotional connection, and a sense of trust.
Ultimately, people don’t just book a tattoo based on skill alone—they book based on the confidence and trust they feel in the artist. By prioritizing both the quality of my work and the way it’s presented, I’ve been able to build a reputation that consistently attracts clients who connect with my vision and style.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Tommy.tenzo
