I have much to be thankful for. I was released from federal prison six years ago after serving 9 years for distribution of cocaine base. It wasnt my first stent, as I had chose a life of committing crimes as a teen. But it was during that stay that I first started tattooing, and decided that tattooing would be the vehicle to keep me out of the streets and lend me a productive member to society. I knew then, that its was my destiny to open a tattoo studio. I spent my entire time educating myself, strengthening my weaknesses, learning the system, and honing my art skills so that I would be successful and never return to spend another day behind those walls. Though I didnt tattoo the entire nine years of being in, I was constantly drawing and dabbling in different forms of art. It only took me three years after being released to accomplish the goal of opening The Truth Tattoos. This wasnt accomplished without my share of blood, sweat, and tears, many nights of choosing to tattoo instead of sleep, and all the other sacrifices that cant be separated from success. Upon The Truth Tattoos opening , I was still on paper, but was released shortly after, two years earlier than my sentenced date, by my sentencing judge, with recommendations from my P.O. Within three years, I have grown my studio, into one of the top forces to be reckoned with in the Minnesota tattoo community, of course with the help of all those who have supported me, and opposed me, along the way. To you all, I am thankful. I am Thankful, because I have finally reached a place where I can say I have a strong team. It took some time to achieve the right mix, as anything of value takes time, but the effort has paid off. My team consists of Fong Vang, who has been with me the longest, and in just under two years has become a beast of a tattoo artist; Will Kamas, who came established and whos artwork speaks for itself; Zak Schulte, who just recently finished his apprenticeship, who is committed to growth and has made himself a pillar at TTT, and Kayla Rose Krueger our colorful apprentice, who will one day walk among Giants. Together, we all add iur own ingredients to make TTT the force that it is. There have been many things put into the air about and my way of doing business, mostly positive, but some negative. I take them both, most of the negativity I walk above, but the one that bothers me is being coined as one who only cares about money. It is usually spewed by those who you do not let get their way, when their way is to take advantage of you, or ones who feel inadequate because of their lack of accomplishments, or tattooers using low-aiming tactics in attempts to redirect clients into their chair. But whatever the motivation, to insinuate this is to say that my life long passion for art, and my high standard for quality and cleanliness is motivated only by money. It not only discredits, but disrespects my drive to be more than I once was, and to be an example of what you can over come, no matter your past, if you put your mind to it, it negates the value I place on the connection I have with those who choose to wear my artwork on them for a lifetime. Do I care about money? Of course! Every American should, and any business owner who doesnt is setting themselves up for failure. But to be well at at managing money and knowing your worth is substantially different than only caring about money. All of this being said, I welcome the challenges of the new year. I am walking into 2015 with a sound mind and clear thoughts looking forward. I am thankful for how far Ive come.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:11:24 +0000
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