What Tattoo Shops Actually Look For Before Taking On Apprentices with Missi Blue | Ep. 23
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
Release Date: 03/26/2025
Daily Choices That Define Your Tattoo Career with Missi Blue | Ep. 35
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
"Trust is hard earned and easily lost. One dishonest move, lying, ghosting, breaking a promise, stealing - that can shatter years and years of credibility." When I think about what separates successful tattoo artists from those who struggle, it's rarely about technical skill alone. It's about integrity - that quiet consistency between who you say you are and how you actually show up, especially when no one's watching. Whether you're a new artist building your reputation or a shop owner managing a team, integrity isn't just some feel-good concept. It's your business foundation, your personal...
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The Negative Self-Talk Killing Your Tattoo Career (And How to Stop It) with Missi Blue | Ep. 34
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
"Why waste your time proving over and over again how great you are when you could be getting better?" Here's the hard truth that no one wants to talk about: most of us are walking around with a voice in our head that's absolutely brutal. If we heard someone talking to our best friend the way we talk to ourselves, we'd be ready to fight. But somehow, we've normalized this internal beatdown that happens daily. As tattoo artists, and entrepreneurs, our mindset isn't just about feeling good—it directly impacts our technical skills, client relationships, and business growth. I've been there,...
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Productive vs Busy: Time Management Secrets for Tattoo Artists with Missi Blue | Ep. 33
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
"Being busy is not the same as being productive, and I had to learn that the hard way." As tattoo artists, we wear busyness like a badge of honor, but what if all that hustle is actually holding us back? I've been there – running around, checking boxes, feeling like I'm crushing it because my schedule is packed. But here's the reality check I needed: being busy doesn't equal being productive, and it definitely doesn't guarantee success. It’s time to get real about the difference between spinning your wheels and actually moving forward. Whether you're a new artist trying to build your...
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Mental Toughness Secrets Every Tattoo Artist Needs to Know with Crush Captain and Missi Blue | Ep. 32
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
This episode takes you behind the scenes of what it really takes to build a successful tattoo career beyond just technical skill. Crush Captain gets brutally honest about his transformation from someone who was "tired of being a piece of shit" to an internationally recognized artist who commands stages at major conferences. His story isn't about overnight success or natural talent—it's about the deliberate, uncomfortable work of rebuilding yourself from the ground up. We dive into the hard truths about mental toughness that most artists avoid discussing. From walking 9-14 miles daily...
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No More DM Chaos: My One-Day Booking System with Missi Blue | Ep. 31
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
After 21 years in the industry, I've learned the hard way that an overwhelmed booking system leads to missed clients, double-bookings, and constant interruptions to your personal life. This episode breaks down the exact system I've refined over the years that allows me to handle all my bookings in a single day rather than spreading the stress across weeks or months. My system isn't just about organization—it's about creating the right client experience while protecting your time and energy. Whether you're drowning in messages or just starting to get busy, implementing these strategies now...
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Say What You Want or Get What You’re Given with Missi Blue | Ep. 30
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
Today's episode is all about finding your voice and having the courage to use it—even when conventional wisdom tells you to stay quiet. When you start clearly communicating who you are, what you stand for, and what you love creating, something magical happens. The right people find you. The wrong ones politely step away. Your schedule fills with projects that energize rather than drain you. And you create an environment where everyone—from clients to your team—knows exactly what to expect. What you’ll learn: Why being vocal about your preferences (like art styles, scheduling, or...
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Stop Lying to Yourself About Growth with Missi Blue | Ep. 29
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
- Free download to help you brainstorm and structure your goals "I was super busy all the time. But was I being productive? Absolutely not. I was just kind of running in circles, feeling confused and messy." - Missi Accountability meetings completely transformed how I approach my business. Before implementing regular check-ins, I felt perpetually stuck—busy but not productive, knowing what I wanted but never getting closer to it. Once I started having structured weekly accountability sessions, I finally developed clarity about my direction and broke down my big goals into manageable...
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HERE'S How to Find Your Ideal Client with Missi Blue | Ep. 28
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
In this episode, we're diving deep into one of the most crucial aspects of building a sustainable tattoo career - finding and attracting your ideal clients. After 20 years in the industry and owning Bluebird Tattoo, I've learned that working with the right clients isn't just about making better art - it's about creating a career that energizes rather than drains you. I'm sharing my tried-and-true strategies that helped me build a thriving business doing work I love with clients who value what I bring to the table. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to clearly define and visualize your...
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What Finally Made My Business Work with Missi Blue | Ep. 27
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start making real progress? My productivity masterclass reveals the exact system I used to transform from overwhelm to control in my tattoo business. Get my battle-tested strategies for eliminating time-wasters, conquering your most daunting tasks, and creating a thriving business that actually supports your dream life—straight from someone who's walked the path and learned the hard way. Links: Music: Unknown Road -
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MOMENTUM over PERFECTION. Every Time. with Missi Blue | Ep. 26
Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide
We've all faced those moments where everything falls apart despite our best preparations. Today, I'm sharing my personal experience with a failed management hire that cost me a year of progress, and the lessons that transformed how I handle setbacks in my business. Whether you're dealing with staffing challenges, client issues, or creative blocks, this episode offers practical strategies to help you maintain momentum when you'd rather just lick your wounds. What you will learn in this episode: Why waiting to recover after a setback often prolongs your suffering and derails your progress ...
info_outlineThe journey to becoming a tattoo artist isn't what most people imagine. After countless messages asking for apprenticeships, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it truly takes to break into this industry. This isn't about gatekeeping—it's about ensuring you're getting in for the right reasons and with the right mindset. An apprenticeship isn't just learning a skill; it's committing to a lifestyle where the lines between work and personal life blur. You need to be obsessed with tattooing, willing to put in endless hours developing your craft, and ready to overcome the challenges that come with creative on-demand work. For those truly passionate about this path, I'm sharing the strategies that actually work and the mindset shifts needed to make potential mentors invest in your future.
What you will learn in this episode:
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Why having tattoos and understanding the industry is essential before seeking an apprenticeship
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The importance of developing traditional art skills on paper rather than relying on digital work
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How to build meaningful relationships with potential mentors through authentic connection
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Why being a "people person" (even if you're naturally introverted) is non-negotiable in tattooing
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The real commitment level required and why passion must exceed the desire for a "cool job"
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Practical ways to demonstrate your value to a shop before asking for apprenticeship
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How to create a portfolio that actually impresses established artists
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Why appreciation and gratitude for your mentor's investment is crucial to your success
Links:
instagram.com/tattoosbymissiblue
instagram.com/boundbyartproject
instagram.com/bluebirdtattoostudio
Music: Unknown Road - The Harp Project