The Business of Tattooing
The Business of Tattooing
Podcast Description
Welcome to The Business of Tattooing—the podcast that goes beyond the ink to dive deep into the industry, the hustle, and what it really takes to succeed in the world of tattooing. I’m Rob Smead, founder of Electrum Supply, and your guide through the business side of this ever-evolving art form.
Each week, we’ll break down the latest trends, tackle the challenges artists face, and sit down with industry pros to talk shop—unfiltered and straight to the point. Whether you’re an artist, a shop owner, or just someone who loves the craft, this is the podcast built for you.
So, sharpen your skills, level up your business, and let’s get to work. This is The Business of Tattooing!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores various themes related to the tattoo industry, such as current trends, business strategies, and the impact of technology on tattooing. Episode examples include discussions on the 'Tattpocalypse,' AI innovations in tattooing, and regulation issues that may affect artists, all aimed at providing listeners with insider perspectives and valuable industry knowledge.
Welcome to The Business of Tattooing—the podcast that goes beyond the ink to dive deep into the industry, the hustle, and what it really takes to succeed in the world of tattooing. I’m Rob Smead, founder of Electrum Supply, and your guide through the business side of this ever-evolving art form.
Each week, we’ll break down the latest trends, tackle the challenges artists face, and sit down with industry pros to talk shop—unfiltered and straight to the point. Whether you’re an artist, a shop owner, or just someone who loves the craft, this is the podcast built for you.
So, sharpen your skills, level up your business, and let’s get to work. This is The Business of Tattooing!
Kicking off our Spotlight Series live from Trapdoor Tattoos in Indianapolis! Rob sits down with owner Davion Ellis for a raw conversation on his unconventional journey into tattooing.
We cover his 5 years of “scratching” from home, the tough love from mentor Chris Karloff that changed everything, and the vision behind building his unique, anime-themed shop—complete with iconic manga-panel floors.
Davion gets real about:
• The stigma of scratching & his approach to guiding new artists
• His modern apprenticeship philosophy
• Why client connection is everything in a slow market
• Building a “nerd paradise” for anime culture in Indy
A powerful story of perseverance, mentorship, and building your own legacy in the tattoo industry.
Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rlQnLCPOVPs
APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/
INKTEGRITY https://inktegrityproject.org
SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com
JOIN ELECTRUM INSIDERS! https://electrumsupply.net
The Business of Tattooing on IG @business_of_tattooing
Rob Smead on IG @noflashninja
Davion Ellis on IG @daviarts
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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