We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ven Bates. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ven below.

Ven, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?

The use of piercings guns. Yes the ones you see at Clair’s in your local mall. When I tell people that I usually get the “I got my ears pierced as a baby there and I’m fine.”, in response. In those cases I just inform people about the risks and hazards of piercing guns in getting them. Especially with the news of you know who offering nose piercings via the use of these guns, people should absolutely be more informed of stuff like this now that you’re adults and able to make your own sound decisions. Yes they’re fairly quick way to get a piercing, but the tissue damage, inappropriate jewelry design, and improper sterilization of equipment, isn’t worth the risk of pretty jewelry. Body piercers are only permitted to use disposable, sterile, equipment. The same goes for jewelry as well adding in that it needs to be internal implant grade to put inside fresh or healed piercings. So if you ever go to a shop and they pull out a piercing gun don’t feel bad about getting up and leaving immediately. No reputable piercer would ever pull one of these out.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Ven Bates, I’m 21 years old, located in St. louis, MO and Body Piercing is what I love to do. I always had an appreciation for any type of body art/modifications really peaking my senior of highschool when i first wanted tattoos and piercings. I’d either draw on myself or wear faux pierings to see if they’d look good on me. Since then I’ve been super interested. I first started my business in 2019 after discovering I really had an eye for this type of thing. Years of working in customer/guest services definitely helped me out with dealing with a wide range of clients. I wish I could say that this has been an easy road but I can say that I’ve been blessed with everything in regards to my business. Currently working on my apprenticeship to hopefully be in full shop by 2023. I offer an assortment of piercings including facial, ear, oral, nipple, and navel piercings. I love being able to help out my clients and providing my best professional option on their issues. F.A.Q. typically include healing times, proper cleaning, when they can change their jewelry etc. What I think sets me apart besides being a young gay Black woman is that one of my biggest goals is to be inclusive, affordable, and excited to show off their new jewelry. At this time what I’m most proud of is that I haven’t given up on not only my business but on myself as as well. There’s been times where I questioned if this is what I was mean to be doing, then I’d see a post from a client saying how much they love their piercing. That excitement from let lets me know I’m doing good. I have to say thanks to everybody that has supported me on this journey. Alot of this wouldn’t be possible without yall.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Most definatally. Where would I be without the APP (Association of Professional Piercers). “The Piercng Bible was a really good one for me to find. Being able to get the point of view of the person coming to get pierced was great. It helped out in also helping me in building customer rapport.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with clients highly through social media. Before I started this I didn’t realize that I’d lowkey have to become a content creator as well. Keeping people consistently engaged with my content was a struggle that I hadn’t prepared for but that I’m getting better with. I am a one woman show so all pictures/videos, edits, surveys, sales/giveaways, equipment, is all provided, made, and out of pocket to me. I never complain about the work because I wanted this. I try to get back to clients within the hour unless I’m busy. I’m also willing to work with people when times are needed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blissfulpiercings/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/blissfulpiercings/

Image Credits
All credits belong to me