Overcoming Fear and Building Resilience in Business as a new Cosmetic Tattoo Artist

By Katherine McCann

Starting a career as a new cosmetic tattoo artist can be an exciting and rewarding venture, however, the decision to go out on your own and start your own business comes with its fair share of challenges.

Fear and uncertainty are common emotions that may arise and in this article we will explore some effective strategies that can help you to overcome these, build resilience and thrive as a new cosmetic tattoo artist – I have even thrown in a few nuggets for those of you who have been in business a while and just need that nudge to reset and potentially recalibrate.

Understanding Fear: Fear is a natural response that arises when we perceive a threat or potential failure and as a new cosmetic tattoo artist, not only have you just learnt this brand-new skill, but you are also out there creating a new business and identity –there is a lot going on all at the same time.

After the excitement wears off after opening your doors, this is when you may begin to fear not being good enough, making mistakes, having low client and or retention rates, feeling financial pressure or the feeling of having to do long hours and having very little return in the beginning. Recognising and acknowledging these fears (which are all SO VALID) is the first step towards overcoming them.

Research and Education:

Knowledge is power. As much as they say ignorance is bliss –the reality is you it will catch up sooner rather than later, so the key upfront is invest time in comprehensive research to ensure you have a strong foundation. This means your educational and practical skillsets for your tattoo techniques, colour theory, hygiene protocols, but also in business management.

If you are going to do something don’t take short cuts, enrol in certified courses and attend workshops to enhance your skills and build confidence – and trust me when I say, it’s never one and done. Continuous learning is the only way to improve your technical abilities but also alleviate fears associated with inadequate knowledge, because the more you know, the more you can do!

Mentorship and Networking:

Seek out experienced cosmetic tattoo artists who are willing to mentor and guide you in your journey because the reality is, cosmetic tattooing as a career is pretty lonely and the information flow and sharing of knowledge especially in the early stages won’t be overly forth coming and if you’re just on Facebook forums or in groups asking uneducated questions or making rookie mistakes, you will find you will be redirected right back to your basic trainers and shut down – which is a real kicker especially if you are genuinely wanting to learn.

So, from the outset, my advice is make the effort to connect with industry professionals on various levels, people who see you are enthusiastic and willing will recognise this and will be happy to provide invaluable insights, advice, and support. Attend conferences, workshops and join professional associations to expand your network and learn from others’ experiences.

Embrace Feedback:

Constructive feedback is crucial for growth and improvement. Encourage your clients to share their thoughts and experiences and be open to suggestions. Analyse all feedback objectively as this will help identify areas for improvement and implement changes accordingly. Constructive criticism will help you gain confidence and refine your skills over time.

Another really great opportunity for feedback is open case studies, deconstructing each case and breaking it down, helps anchor the key points for consider and as you work through more and more of these you will begin to identify patterns and will assist with the predictability of your future work and how you deal with the more complex cases. This will also change the way you deal with clients as you will become more confident in your own skills and abilities, and you will change what you are willing to take on and tackle – or turn away. Not everything is fixable or worth the sleepless nights, so be sure to choose carefully.

Building Resilience: Resilience is a key attribute for success in any business, including the cosmetic tattoo industry. It’s about bouncing back from setbacks, responding to pivotal change and adapting to challenges and staying motivated even when you’re exhausted and feel like you are constantly griding. Here are some actionable insights to build resilience:

Develop a Growth Mindset:

Embrace a growth mindset and practice this – focus on viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Instead of being discouraged by setbacks, approach them with a positive mindset and seek solutions. If something didn’t go right, what can you learn from it and how can you tweak or change it for next time?

It’s easy to get deflated and overwhelmed especially when finances are felt, or you have a run of clients with less than satisfactory outcomes (trust me, I’ve had my fair share too and have asked myself many times is it time to give up the tools…) but cultivating resilience requires mental agility and the ability to reframe challenges as stepping stones to success – Rome was not built in a day, remember that.

Establish Clear Goals and Plans:

Set specific goals for your business and develop a detailed plan to achieve them. Break big goals into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Be kind to yourself – I know it’s so easy to feel like you need to know and do it all now, but celebrate small victories along the way to stay motivated and focused. Having a clear roadmap helps you stay resilient in the face of obstacles. Often, I think one of the hardest things to do is prioritise your priorities – but once you are crystal clear breaking them down gets easier.

Build a Support System:

Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, and fellow industry professionals. Share your challenges and frustrations with individuals who understand your journey, but pick these individuals carefully – you need to find that balance of trust and professionalism. Having a support system provides emotional encouragement, advice and a sense of belonging during difficult times, I personally have different people for different situations and depending on what is happening, I go to the ones I will gain the most unbiased, informative, diverse or helpful information from – even if it’s just bouncing ideas off or talking about a business concern or tattooing outcome, once you have a trusted support system it can be the make or break of your business.

Practice Self-Care:

Running a business can be demanding in so many ways, not just the physical and emotional and neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and diminished resilience. You need to stay kind to yourself, prioritise self-care activities such as sleep, time management, eating properly, exercise, relaxation, spending time with loved ones and pursuing hobbies. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is essential for maintaining resilience and creativity. I personally find that I work so much that it’s not until I really start feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by the small things, that I recognise my batteries are running too low.

Sometimes everything makes me cry, or the world seems really lonely, or I just feel like I can’t complete anything I need to get done, I’m not good enough, I’ve got imposter syndrome, the list goes on… all of these are signs I need to practice self-care, take a step back (likely have a good sleep) and stop pushing too hard – these are just examples, but they are real, they are raw, and they don’t discriminate, so it’s essential to stay aware and take care of yourself because you are no good to anyone if you are broken.

In closing:

While fear and challenges may arise when you’re new in the game (and existing) It’s also good to know, that while they may feel overwhelming and often quite challenging- in the moment, you are a new cosmetic tattoo artist and it’s important to know and understand you’re embarking on a practical skill, working on unpredictable canvases, and it’s a continual learning curb and time is the only way of learning to foresee curveballs, overcoming them and building resilience. However, it is possible with the right mindset, knowledge, and support and ensuring you do your research and invest energy upfront in the right education, mentorship, and networking opportunities, you can strengthen your circle, refine your skillsets and build confidence.

Additionally, by combining the above with a growth mindset you will find you can set clear goals, build a solid support system and practice self-care which will help you navigate the ups and downs, this also applies to business ownership as well as many facets of life. Another great tip is look outside your own industry and see what works for others – what are they doing that captures your essence and attention, is there anything you could tweak or create in your own space – it always pays think outside of the box.

Just remember, we all start from the beginning and resilience is not built overnight; it’s a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and evolving and you will watch your cosmetic tattoo business grow & thrive. Above all else, embrace the challenges, stay determined and if you fall over, it’s perfectly ok - just fall forward, you’ve got this!

Kat M xx Insta: katmccann_inka www. inkaonlima.com