Meet Asia and Nick from Painted People Tattoo Inc.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day this month, we want to celebrate and recognize couples who work together in business everyday.
Meet Asia and Nick from Painted People Tattoo Inc.!
- How did you both meet?
We met 12 years ago when I (Asia) was tattooing in Hamilton and Nick accidentally wandered into the wrong studio! I ended up tattooing him a couple of weeks later and we instantly connected, it felt like we had known each other our entire lives.
- Why did you start working/open your business together?
We both share a love of art. Nick has a background in computer science and had been wanting to spend less time in the office, and I was finally ready to venture out on my own after tattooing for 11 years in Hamilton for another studio. We then started experimenting with natural skincare products, realizing that making soap is an art form in itself, and expanded to various products shortly after.
3. Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your business. (i.e. What is your unique offering?)
Having been around tattoo studios for a while, one of our main goals was to create an environment that was different from majority of studios we grew-up in. Priority is on artists and clients to feel comfortable, so our studios are very bright, welcoming and apart from doing amazing permanent artwork, client experience has to be a priority.
We feel blessed to have amazing artists (who are genuinely good people) working with us that share our passion for client experience, to date all are female artists (something which didn’t seem possible when I started tattooing 16 years ago).
As extention of client experience, another diffentiating factor are our handmade natural products. The wonderful soap aroma hits you as soon as you walk into either of our studios.
- When did you open your business and what made you choose Downtown Burlington?
We opened our first studio in Toronto 5 years ago shortly after moving there from Burlington, and decided to open our second location here in Burlington a couple of years later because we both missed the area so much. There’s something magical about Burlington downtown!
- What other downtown businesses do you frequent and do business with?
Our favourites are Burrito Masters, Kelly’s, Charcoal Pit and RC’s.
6. If you had a piece of advice for other couples starting a business together, to help them succeed, what would it be?
It’s important to have patience and embrace the occasional (or frequent in our case) conflicting views and ideas that will undoubtedly come-up. Practice concious separation of work and private life, it’s great to work together towards a common goal but just as important to forget about work.
7. Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions?
We love to drive (usually to multiple cities) and pick up take-out from several of our favourite restaurants, and enjoy the feast while watching a movie at home.
Facebook: @PaintedPeopleTattoos
Instagram: @PaintedPeopleTattoos