Bound By Art: A Tattoo Artist's Survival Guide

If you’re an artist, ready to grow your business, attract the right clients, and learn how to survive this career without losing your damn mind, then you are in the right place! Every week, I’ll be bringing real talk, actionable tips, and hard-earned lessons from my own journey, with a side of good vibes and sarcasm. Whether you’re new to the game, feeling stuck, or just need a kick in the ass to reignite that spark-this is the show for you. Let’s get to work!

Daily Choices That Define Your Tattoo Career with Missi Blue | Ep. 35 06/18/2025

The Negative Self-Talk Killing Your Tattoo Career (And How to Stop It) with Missi Blue | Ep. 34 06/11/2025

The Negative Self-Talk Killing Your Tattoo Career (And How to Stop It) with Missi Blue | Ep. 34 "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, stuck in cycles of self-doubt and perfectionism that nearly made me quit this podcast entirely. But here's what I've learned about rewiring those destructive thought patterns and why it might be the most important skill you develop as an artist. Whether you're just starting out, or you've been in the game for years, these mindset shifts can completely transform how you show up in your career. Ready to stop letting your inner critic run the show? Start with this week's homework challenge—catch one negative thought each day and rewrite it. Your future self (and your art) will thank you. Remember, you can't control the thoughts that pop into your head, but you absolutely can control how you react to them. Now get out there and show up for yourself the way you'd show up for your best friend. What you will learn in this episode: How 80% of our internal dialogue is negative and why this repetitive thinking keeps us stuck in limiting patterns that affect our artistic growth The difference between growth mindset and fixed mindset, and why believing your skills are unchangeable will keep you proving yourself instead of improving yourself Why surrounding yourself with people who challenge you is more valuable than those who just hype you up, and how to identify which type of people you currently have in your circle The destructive nature of all-or-nothing thinking and how perfectionism disguised as motivation actually leads to burnout and stagnation Practical strategies to reframe "I can't do this" to "I can't do this yet" and why this simple shift opens up possibilities for skill development How to catch and redirect negative thoughts before they become limiting beliefs that dictate your actions and career trajectory Why showing up consistently matters more than showing up intensely, and how to build resilience through progress over perfection The homework challenge: how to identify and rewrite one recurring negative thought each day to start changing your mental patterns Links: Music: Unknown Road - /episode/index/show/0e7ff44a-92f6-42de-8009-b2c78de4e3ea/id/36942295

Productive vs Busy: Time Management Secrets for Tattoo Artists with Missi Blue | Ep. 33 06/04/2025

Productive vs Busy: Time Management Secrets for Tattoo Artists with Missi Blue | Ep. 33 "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 clientele, an experienced professional feeling overwhelmed, or a shop owner juggling a million responsibilities, this conversation is for you. I'm sharing the exact strategies that helped me take back control of my time and start focusing on what actually matters. What You Will Learn in This Episode: The "Gold Star Trap" - Why chasing validation through busyness keeps you stuck and how to redirect that energy toward meaningful results Time Audit Fundamentals - A simple system to track where your time actually goes (spoiler: it's probably not where you think) and identify time-wasting activities The Pizza Hut Principle - Real-world examples of how "busy work" can actually set you back and why motion doesn't always equal progress Pareto's 80-20 Rule Applied - How to identify the 20% of activities that generate 80% of your results and focus your energy there Priority Decision Framework - Three key questions to ask yourself when deciding what deserves your time: Is it urgent? Is it important? Is it significant? Task Expansion Theory - Why projects always seem to take exactly as much time as you give them and how to use this to your advantage The Parent Productivity Hack - How having constraints actually makes you more efficient and focused (even if you don't have kids) Building Your Results Roadmap - A visual exercise to connect your biggest wins with the specific activities that got you there Ready to stop being busy and start being productive? The first step is awareness. Grab that Goal Getter Workbook, do a time audit this week, and see where your energy is really going. Your future self will thank you for taking control today. Remember – it's not about doing more, it's about doing what matters. Now stop making excuses and go make it happen. Links: Music: Unknown Road - /episode/index/show/0e7ff44a-92f6-42de-8009-b2c78de4e3ea/id/36837170

Mental Toughness Secrets Every Tattoo Artist Needs to Know with Crush Captain and Missi Blue | Ep. 32 05/28/2025

No More DM Chaos: My One-Day Booking System with Missi Blue | Ep. 31 05/21/2025

Say What You Want or Get What You’re Given with Missi Blue | Ep. 30 05/14/2025

Stop Lying to Yourself About Growth with Missi Blue | Ep. 29 05/07/2025

Stop Lying to Yourself About Growth with Missi Blue | Ep. 29 - 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 steps. What's particularly powerful about these meetings is how they force you to confront your progress (or lack thereof). When I look back and see I didn't gain any followers because I posted once instead of my goal of five times, I can't blame the algorithm—I wasn't even in it. Or realizing my client loyalty program took eight months longer than planned because I kept putting off finishing the logo. Without accountability, these patterns continue unchecked. Whether you find an accountability buddy (preferably someone at a similar business stage who will call you on your BS) or create structured check-ins with your team, this practice will help you stay focused on what truly matters. Some weeks you won't get everything done—life happens—but the consistent check-ins allow you to course-correct rather than abandon your goals entirely. What you will learn in this episode: Why accountability is the single most transformative practice you can implement in your tattoo business The signs that indicate you need more accountability in your professional life How to shift from a reactive mindset (disaster, panic, recover) to a proactive approach Why having clear direction is essential before you can build genuine motivation Practical strategies for setting up effective accountability meetings and finding the right accountability partner How embracing feedback—even when it hurts—is crucial for artistic and business growth The importance of recognizing when you've taken detours from your intended goals Links: Music: Unknown Road - /episode/index/show/0e7ff44a-92f6-42de-8009-b2c78de4e3ea/id/36458520

HERE'S How to Find Your Ideal Client with Missi Blue | Ep. 28 04/30/2025

What Finally Made My Business Work with Missi Blue | Ep. 27 04/23/2025

MOMENTUM over PERFECTION. Every Time. with Missi Blue | Ep. 26 04/16/2025

Why You’re Not Getting Better No Matter How Much You Learn with Missi Blue | Ep. 25 04/09/2025

Tattoo Conventions Will Break You: Recovery Strategies No One Talks About with Missi Blue | Ep. 24 04/02/2025

Tattoo Conventions Will Break You: Recovery Strategies No One Talks About with Missi Blue | Ep. 24 Today we're getting real about something that's been kicking my butt lately: post-convention recovery. After crashing hard following the Baltimore Convention and then pushing through a charity flash day before I was fully recovered, I finally recognized the pattern that's been draining my energy and affecting my work. In this episode, I'm breaking down what I've learned about planning for recovery time, listening to your body's signals, and creating sustainable work practices that won't leave you constantly running on empty. What you will learn in this episode: Why planning for recovery after events is just as important as planning for the events themselves How to identify your personal recovery needs and create space for them in your schedule The serious consequences of pushing through burnout instead of addressing it head-on Practical strategies for scheduling lighter workloads after high-intensity events Why rescheduling clients when necessary is actually good business practice How to stop catastrophizing minor setbacks and maintain perspective during stressful situations The importance of adjusting your schedule to match your energy levels, not your ego Resources Mentioned: - The mental toughness program mentioned in the episode - The convention referenced in the episode - Resources for those interested in exploring meditation - Research on burnout and recovery - Follow for updates on future charity events Your artistic journey doesn't have to be a constant battle against burnout. By recognizing your limits and honoring your need for recovery, you're not only taking care of yourself but investing in the longevity of your career. This week, I challenge you to look at your upcoming schedule and block off intentional recovery time after your next big event. Your future self will thank you, and your work will reflect the difference. Remember, sustainable success isn't about how hard you can push—it's about how wisely you can pace yourself for the long haul. Links: Music: Unknown Road - /episode/index/show/0e7ff44a-92f6-42de-8009-b2c78de4e3ea/id/35962425