So you think you want my job?

I want to prepare you for the realities of working in a shop. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that the entire tattoo industry is extremely dependent upon a hierarchy. This is true at the smaller scale (inside a tattoo shop), as well as in the larger sense (the industry as a whole..there are some big tattooing names in this business. Sailor Jerry, anyone?) Basically, there are the the high people on the totem pole and the low people...and you DON'T screw with the higher ups, ever. They worked hard to get to that position, so regardless of your personal feelings towards them, you still need to show them respect (This may seem pretty obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many people don't seem to abide by these social cues). Now, that being said, it should be pretty obvious to you (if you read my "day in the life" post) that the shop help/front desk/receptionist can be found at the very bottom of this metaphorical tattooing totem pole...so prepare yourself for this. Seriously, when I first started, I wasn't ready to pick up trash thrown on the ground, throw away abandoned half-empty coffee cups strewn across the shop, or clean up after the meals of full grown men. I was surprised when I realized I would be scrubbing toilets, handling disease-ridden needles and equipment, and basically doing anything and everything an artist wants me to do, no questions asked. I mean...it's just a receptionist job, right? Isn't there a custodian or something to do all the dirty work? (HAH!!! How quickly I learned, silly and naive little Nikki...) It's a bit demeaning on the surface, but you just have to learn to accept it- that's how it is. If you don't like it, get another job. I can assure you that they won't have any problem finding someone else who will deal with this "bitch" work.

Many people are interested in just being a part of this environment from the inside. This is one aspect that really appealed to me when I first applied, and I'm sure this is appealing to many of my readers, as well. Being in a position like shop help can allow you to be an insider of the tattooing world without actually being a tattooer (if you're interested in tattooing, stay tuned for a future post). That being said, be aware that like anything, working on the "inside" will allow some (or most) of that "magic" to leave. You'll know how everything works, and you'll learn the politics that are present in tattooing (nope, can't escape them, no matter what your job!). I'd imagine it's kind of like working at Disney World or something...when you're surrounded by something all the time, even something that you may love, the magic is gone.

 For me, personally, I still love tattoos- don't get me wrong! I have many, and I still continue to get them. I love looking at (good) tattoos. I even enjoy hearing about other people's tattoos, to an extent. But that's really where it ends...I used to love to pour over the internet, looking at Tumblr accounts that featured tattoos, doing Google image searches of tattoos, going to forums to look at other people's tattoos...this was all before the Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest hype, but I'd imagine I would have been on those social sites, too. I just am not interested in searching tattoos anymore. I think I just see enough of them day in and day out that it doesn't really appeal to me. I don't want to go home after a long day at work and go look at MORE tattoos, you know?

Also, I've noticed that occasionally I'll pick clothing that covers my tattoos if I'm going out (something I never consciously did before this job). Covered tattoos means no uninvited conversations with strangers about my tattoos...and trust me, this happens a LOT when I am out in clothing that reveals them. I mean, I get it...my artists at my shop ROCK, and people want to know who does my work. But honestly, it gets to get old real quick, especially after being at the shop all day with clients talking to me about my tattoos (again, must be too much of a good thing). I'm sure this happens to anyone who has visible tattoos, not just me because I personally work at a shop. However, it's something to consider...are you ready to talk about your tattoos at work all day, then go out and run some errands when you get off after a hard day's work, just to be inquired even MORE about your tattoos when all you really want to do is peel them off and throw them at the strangers for being so nosy? Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but you get my point. My life is tattoos, always...and yours will be, too. This needs to be ok with you, so I'm pointing it out now.

My final point would be that since your family and friends will know you work at a shop, you might become their "go-to" person when they need tattoo advice. This can be fine, and I welcome it, honestly- I know that my advice is going to be a lot better than someone who is just repeating "hearsay" from the street. Somehow, I've noticed, people that I haven't talked to in YEARS have discovered I work at a shop. These people suddenly will message me on social networks and small talk me. I always know what is coming next..."So, can you hook me up with a discount or something?" Ugh. There will always be those moocher-type people, but it's especially popular when it comes to tattoos...they're expensive, and people are willing to do whatever it takes to save a buck (grrrrr). Prepare for them, and prepare your appropriate response. I've even had random people I've met on the street ask if I can get them discounts...that one always confuses me.

With everything that I have mentioned so far, I feel it necessary to remind you that it is IMPERATIVE that you always display pride for your shop at ALL times. Even though I have pointed out a number of frustrating things that come with this job, the bottom line is you are ALWAYS a representative of your shop...ALWAYS. Doesn't matter if you're physically working a shift at your shop, in line at the bank, out drinking with some buddies, or at a family reunion with people you haven't seen in years. Once it comes up that you work at a shop (and it will, trust me), people will be asking questions, wanting to know more (it's an interesting place that not many people get to experience from the inside, so who can blame them?). You have to push your frustrations aside and represent your shop well. After all, if you make any indication that people shouldn't go to your shop, the shop looses money...if they need to start making cuts, guess who's first to get canned? (Hint: see the totem pole analogy above).

So, these are the negatives of working at a tattoo shop. If you're still interested in working at a position such as mine, then I commend you- your future boss will be very lucky to have you. Stay tuned for a post on tips to actually nail a job like this!

Guess who's back!

OH my goodness. It's been awhile, hasn't it? :D

So today started like any other day...I woke up, went on the Internet and did my normal stuff on Youtube, FML, Pinterest, Failbook... you know, wasting away my life one website at a time by the minute. Before I knew it, I was on a blog. One blog turned into two...into four...eight...wait, blogs? Why am I reading blogs? Well, this thought is kind of interesting...ok, let's read one more...

STOP. Nikki. Didn't you make a blog, like, a really long time ago? Didn't you quit after about, uh, ONE post? Yes, and yes (later I saw I had three, but still).

So I googled. I remembered the name of my blog, and lo and behold, it popped up first on Google. "That's odd," I thought to myself. "It didn't used to pop up first when I would search for it before..." I clicked on it, scared, but basically reassured that it had probably gotten about 10 hits over the past however long I had left it. After all, for the whole week or so I blogged before, I had two viewers- myself and some bot from China (thanks, Google analytics).

I was wrong.

My blog actually had COMMENTS. THREE comments. What? People were interested in what I had to say? Holy crap, I had an email posted on there, too, didn't I? I couldn't remember the password, but I finally managed to get in. I had six or seven emails from people, all asking for my help. MY help. Something that I had knowledge in could actually HELP awesome people like you guys. I had NO idea anyone would actually take me up on that offer! People actually seemed to like what they had read, and they were telling me how they could relate to me. Some even told me how they wanted to confide in me, because they knew I'd understand where they were coming from. *blush*

I have a confession for you guys. Well, a new one, besides tattoo confessions. When I made this blog...what...a year and a half ago (and I came up with the idea years before that, I just never got around to making it), I NEVER thought anyone would be interested in reading it. After all, my job can be pretty boring. Sure, it SOUNDS cool...but like anything else, the magic fades once you're "behind the scenes". I'd imagine the same could be said for working at Disneyland.

At the time of this posting, my blog has had 3,577 page views and 1,546 unique visitors. I was floored. I still am floored. And humbled. And...well...gosh, I'm just so excited I decided to search blogs today.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I promise to update more often than once every two years :) Seriously, though, I found this Word document I made full of blog post ideas. You guys have re-inspired me, and I am so thankful and excited. Thank you!