Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Robson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
So I got my first tattoo machine at 15 yrs old as a Christmas gift from my parents. I didn’t know how far it would take me but I knew I wanted to learn. I studied online and watched as many videos as I could in the beginning then eventually started tattooing on myself and my family for practice. For years and years I got better and better with more people wanting to wear my work. I converted a bedroom in my house into a place to tattoo but when I started to get busier I knew it was time to make a big move. In February of 2020 I decided I would put all my savings into renting a commercial space and opening my own tattoo parlor. I’ve definitely had my ups and downs owning my own business, but my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. Now today 17 years after picking up my first tattoo machine I can truly say I don’t think I will ever do anything else. Tattooing has not just become a job for me but a way of life.I still have so much growing to do with my kids right by my side.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This road has been anything but easy. From the beginning, I have faced my challenges. I had gotten pregnant very young, so getting a traditional apprenticeship was not really in the cards for me. I solely relied on my grit, my passion and practice. The town that I live in was not very supportive at first. It got to the point of threats and harassment during my early years. When I finally got the courage to open my own shop in 2020 I had no idea Covid would hit the nation just a month after investing everything I had and we would shut down. Not only was I unable to open, but the schools were also shut down, so I was forced to homeschool my two sons while trying to figure out how to open this business. My husband at the time was also battling a severe addiction with alcohol, so things were very unstable at home. My youngest son was also diagnosed with Kleinfelter syndrome, which led to his severe autism. Battling all of these at the same time definitely took its toll on me. I did my best to try and hold our lives together and a lot of days I felt like a failure.I didn’t have any family to help because they live so far away so I had no other choice but to figure out a way. I do believe that all of these obstacles it did push me to want to prove to myself that I can overcome these things and accomplish anything. It is very important for me to show my kids that no matter what life throws at you you can overcome it. And I’m just getting started.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My tattoo shop is located in Cortez, Colorado and it’s called Little Miss Ink. I specialize in cover-up work, illustrative realism and 3-D nipple reconstruction for those who have battled breast cancer. I am also a children’s book author and illustrator. I just published my first children’s book in the series “Into the green with Dean” which is based on my two children. I am currently working on the second book. What sets me apart is simply just staying true to myself and always follow my passions with dignity and integrity. I wanna try everything and anything creative and I’m never afraid to try.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Because I had my first child in high school finding a mentor was not an option for me. I relied a lot on my research and online videos, but I strongly encourage anyone looking to get into this field to find a mentor that you can trust and find a mentor that is reputable and takes honor and what they do. It is easy to fall into bad hands in this industry.
Pricing:
- $125 per hour
- $375 for 3 hours
- $750 for 6 hours
- $1000 for full day
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_miss_ink/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/LMItattoo/
