Ink Different Tattoos

10/16/2026

Health insurance for every artist in the shop. 👀 Yep, Jesse Smith actually did it. 🙌🔥

And the first episode of our new segment: Tattoo Shop Tango, is LIVE NOW! 🎉🖤

This brand new segment of the Ink Different Tattoos Podcast is created BY tattoo shop owners FOR tattoo shop owners, and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off than with Jesse breaking down how he went from not knowing the difference between a W-2 and a 1099, to running a fully legit business with real employee benefits. 💯

He grew up knowing how important healthcare was. He served in the army and had it covered. And when he opened his own shop, he made it a priority from day one — even when he had to learn everything from scratch. Taxes, licensing, insurance... he figured it out because he knew it was the right thing to do. ✨

This is the kind of real talk that tattoo shop owners need to hear.
Go watch it now on our YouTube channel!

TattooShopOwner TattooBusiness TattooArtist

10/16/2026

Why learn the hard way when you don’t have to? 🙌🔥

Jordi Pla has been through it all: the pitfalls, the trial and error, the long road of figuring things out solo. And now he’s sharing everything he knows so you don’t have to go through the same thing. 🖤✨

That’s the difference between a good tattooer and a great one. Having the right mentor changes everything. 💯

Want to learn from one of the best? Check out our Master Mentor program and see what Jordi can do for your journey. 👇

🔗 www.becomeatattooartist.com

LearnToTattoo TattooArtis

10/16/2026

“Listen to their shoulders. Listen to their body. Listen to what they didn’t say.” 👂🖤

Matt Hodel dropped one of the most valuable pieces of advice on Convention Connection and we haven’t stopped thinking about it since. 🔥✨

When a client comes to you, they’re not just looking for a tattoo; they’re coming with a broken relationship from their last artist. It’s your job to listen intuitively, meet them in the middle, and make sure you don’t repeat the mistakes that sent them looking in the first place. 💯

No tug of war. No ego. Just collaboration and genuine connection. That’s how you stay booked for 30 years. 🙌

🎧 Full episode linked in bio!

ClientRelationships TattooCommunity

10/16/2026

Something NEW is dropping tomorrow at 5 PM, and we can’t keep quiet about it. 👀🔥

Introducing Tattoo Shop Tango! A brand-new segment of the Ink Different Tattoos Podcast, created BY tattoo shop owners FOR tattoo shop owners. 🖤🙌

And we’re kicking it off with someone who’s been doing it right: Jesse Smith. In this first episode, Jesse gets into the real challenge of running a tattoo shop: it’s not a regular job, it’s not a corporate business, and if you run it like a frat house, it falls apart. The sweet spot? A professionally run shop that still feels human. 💯

This one’s going to hit different if you own a shop or ever dreamed of it. Set your reminders... We go live tomorrow at 5PM! ⏰

Watch it on our YouTube channel!

TattooShopOwner TattooBusiness TattooArtist

10/15/2026

Real talk for every newer tattooer out there 👇🎧

Forshe didn’t sugarcoat it; tattooing isn’t a part-time hustle. If you want great work and to actually make money doing this, you have to be all in. Like, all in. 🖤🔥

Drawing when you’re not tattooing. Working on the shop when you’re not drawing. There’s no real clock-out moment — and honestly? That’s kind of the beauty of it when you love what you do. 🙌

If you’re just getting started, this is the advice you need to hear before anything else. Put the work in. Period. 💯

🎧 Full episode linked in bio!

TattooLife TattooArtist

10/15/2026

From squid bait to somebody; Chico Cortez kept it real at the Shop Owners Success Summit and we’re still thinking about it. 😂🔥

In this clip, Chico talks about what it actually takes to build a name on the convention circuit, and spoiler: it’s not about being the best artist in the room. It’s about your energy, your frequency, and how you treat people even when you’re slammed. 🙌

He even talks about sending clients to his competitors when he’s full, because he’d rather they get a great tattoo somewhere else than a bad one from someone who shouldn’t be there in the first place. That’s the kind of integrity that builds a legacy. 🖤

And let’s be honest — the convention world has changed. It used to be you had to be invited in. Now? If you can pay for a booth, you’re in. More reason to know who you’re supporting. 👀

Want more convos like this? Stay tuned — the next summit is coming! 🙌

👇 Come hang with us!
🔗 https://inkdifferenttattoos.com/affiliate

10/14/2026

30 years in and still booked solid; and it’s not just about the art. 🖤✨

In this clip from Convention Connection, Matt Hodel gets real about the mindset shift that changed everything for him. It’s not about being the hero of the room or chasing clout from your peers — it’s about putting the customer first. Always. 🙌

Matt breaks down the stages every artist goes through: getting comfortable with the tools, chasing admiration, and then finally realizing it’s all about the relationship. When you show up on time, stay present, and genuinely commit to the piece — your clients feel that. And the right people stick around. 💯

If you’re an artist wondering why some people stay booked for decades, this one’s for you. 👀🎧

🎧 Full episode linked in bio!

ClientRelationships TattooCommunity

10/14/2026

Watercolor tattoos, body suspension, AND convention survival tips?! This episode has it ALL. 🎨🖤

TBT on the Ink Different Tattoos Podcast, we sat down with Shannon M. Oxilox to talk about everything from the wild world of watercolor tattoos and body suspension to how to actually show up prepared for a convention without losing your mind. 😂

Whether you’re an artist or just a tattoo lover, this one’s a must-watch. Hit play and come hang with us!

🎧 Watch the full episode on our YouTube Channel !

TattooArtist

10/14/2026

Mario Barth didn’t just show up to conventions; he built the culture around them. 🔥🎉

In this clip from Convention Connection, Mario takes us back to when he created opening parties built 100% for the artists, put on the biggest tattoo show on Earth at Mandalay Bay with 52,000 people, and broke boundaries by opening the first tattoo shop in a casino on the Vegas Strip. 👀✨

But what really stood out? The push for education. Mario believed if someone cares enough to ask you a question, you answer it. That mindset helped spark a renaissance of artists learning from each other, doing seminars, and opening up the industry like never before. 📚🙌

This era changed tattooing forever,!and Mario was right in the middle of it all. 🖤

🎧 Full episode linked in bio!

Tattoo

10/13/2026