We recently had the chance to connect with Starli and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Starli, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been getting more into the local music scene, lately! I have a friend, Ransom Tyson, in an alt-rock band called Cause Celebré who recently had their first show, and they were fantastic. Soon I’m going to see another one of my friends perform in their metal band Spear of Cassius. I’m super excited!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Starli, and I am an apprentice piercer under my mentor, Kita Fatale. I started wanting to become a piercing apprentice three years ago, when I realized how much my piercings helped me to love myself. My goal as a piercer is to provide safe, quality, and positive experiences for my clients, so that they can leave my piercing chair loving themselves a little bit (or a lot bit!) more than they did before
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I spent my whole life being told and believing that I was meant to be on the Broadway stage. I took ballet and jazz for fifteen years, and graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Puget Sound during the pandemic. When I graduated, there were no auditions to be had. I moved to Colorado and started teaching private music lessons, but eventually I began to search for a new artistic outlet that didn’t require that I always be on display.
I started getting pierced by Maya at Bound By Design in Denver, and this little thought started to form: “Maybe I could learn to do this too.”
From that moment, I started to let go of the idea that I MUST be famous and unique, and started to accept the idea that I could be perfectly happy with a career that helps others to love themselves.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are more than the sum of other people’s expectations.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
That all humans are worthy of dignity, and that every human deserves to live a life where they can be assured that one medical emergency will not cause them to be destitute for the rest of their lives.
That education in as advanced a society as ours should be a non negotiable.
That a safe place to lie your head at night is not an unreasonable ask.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was kind, and willing to help people no matter what. I want to be remembered as a place of solace, advice, and encouragement.
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