Support Your Local Tattooer | Wild Stories, Wild Culture

Tattoo shop owners who treat their business like a lifestyle are losing clients to whoever learns the next trend first.  In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, host Austin Spencer sits down with Nixx and Sabina Kelley, husband and wife entrepreneurs, creatives, and co-owners of Smiles and Cries in Las Vegas, for an unfiltered conversation about financial discipline, identity branding, and...

What separates a talented tattoo artist from a sustainable tattoo business? In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, Austin Spencer sits down with Brett Rosepiler, Las Vegas tattoo artist, muralist, and co-owner of One Block Tattoo, for a conversation about originality, business ownership, artistic growth, and building something that lasts. After spending more than a decade tattooing at Her...

What does it really take to build a tattoo shop with soul in the middle of downtown Las Vegas?  In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, Austin Spencer sits down with Buddy (Holiday) Orr of Downtown Tattoo Las Vegas, joined by Charlie Spencer, for a wild, funny, and honest conversation about tattoo culture, Fremont Street, American traditional tattooing, shop ownership, sobriety, flash, old...

What happens when tattoo culture, old Vegas stories, stand-up comedy, and real shop talk all collide in one conversation?  In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, Austin Spencer sits down with Jason Paxman of Bad Apple Tattoo and welcomes back Phil Luck for a wild, funny, and honest conversation about tattooing, comedy, community, social media, and how the industry has changed over the yea...

Join us this month for an incredible conversation with Manny Fernandez (@mannysrevolution) as he takes us behind the scenes of high-stakes television, the precision of Japanese artistry, and the mental game required to stay at the top of the Vegas tattoo scene! In this episode, Manny shares his unique creative process where he spends time creating multiple versions of a large-scale piece before he...

Join us this month for an incredible conversation with Phil Luck & J Swarm (@darthswarm / @philluckluckofficial) as they take a deep dive into the gritty history of the tattoo industry, the evolution of the "hustle," and why some things are better left off social media Hear more from Phil, Swarm and host Austin Spencer (@austinsbrain) on this month’s episode of "Support Your Loc...

Join us this month for an incredible conversation with Bob Lackner (@bicycle_bobs_tat2) as he takes us on a journey through the open roads, high-stakes guest spots, and the sheer grit of a coast-to-coast tattoo adventure! In this episode, Bob shares the mind-blowing story of his 40th birthday ride—a 3,940-mile trek from San Francisco to New York with nothing but his camping gear on his back. 🤯 Bo...

Join host Austin Spencer (@austinsbrain) this month for an incredibly fun and insightful conversation with Megan Comfort (@meganthebanker/@nevadastatebank) and Matt Bontrager (@mattbontrager/ @truebookscpa) as they dive deep into the crucial financial and legal strategies every tattoo business owner needs to know. This episode tackles the big questions around business structure, breaking down the...

Join us this month for a mind-blowing conversation with returning guests Phil Luck (@phillucktattoo) and Eric Foemmel (@eric.foemmel) as they pull back the curtain on the truly lawless, legendary, and expensive history of tattooing! This episode is packed with stories about the intimidating world of Philadelphia Eddie and other old-school legends. Phil and Eric detail the dark realities and the in...

Join us this month for an incredibly fun and insightful conversation with Crocodile Jackson , a talented tattoo artist who shares his unique perspective on the art world and the importance of supporting your local tattooer. This episode dives into the realities of working as a professional artist, and how your ability to pivot is the key to survival and success. Crocodile Jackson shares a powerful...

Join us this month for an intense and incredibly insightful conversation with a tattoo artist who has truly seen it all, Gian Karle from Ink Master. This episode dives deep into the realities of tattooing all over the US, from the profound experience of touring to the simple joys of hanging out with friends on the road.  Learn how tattooing isn't just about ink on skin; it's about the de...

Join host Austin Spencer this month for an intense and incredibly insightful conversation with a tattoo artist who has truly seen it all in the tattoo industry, Chance Gomez. This podcast episode dives deep into the realities of tattooing, from alarming encounters with a man bringing a gun into the shop and intimidating bike club members, to the profound experience of tattooing someone who challen...

Join host Austin Spencer as he sits down with the legendary Russ Abbott for a deep dive into the tattoo industry's fascinating evolution. Russ pulls back the curtain on everything from market shifts like microbladers taking on tiny tattoos to the gritty realities of early apprenticeships.  Discover how Russ navigated the business of tattooing from a simple "Now Available Tattoos" si...

Think tattooing in Las Vegas is all glam? Think again. We're pulling back the curtain on the wild, often messy, truth of being a tattoo artist in Sin City. If you're an apprentice, or tattoo artist, you won't want to miss this raw look at what it really takes to make it in the Vegas tattoo scene. 📍Studio 21 Tattoo- Las Vegas, NV  👤 Keep up with us:  Host- Austin Spencer: @austinsb...

From tiki to skulls to... well, you know! 😉 Mike Biggs dives into the surprising success of some truly unexpected tattoo combinations he encountered while working in Vegas. Plus, get ready to laugh as he recounts the strange and unusual rules his manager had back in the pre-iPad era! 😂 Trust us, you won't believe some of these stories! 📍 Las Vegas, NV  👤 Keep up with us:  Host- Austin Spe...

Get ready for the incredible Clark North! This episode showcases why he's truly an amazing man, sharing jaw-dropping stories that will leave you stunned & his fascinating beginnings of becoming a tattoo artist. Clark North holds nothing back, delivering raw truths and unforgettable tales. Prepare to be shocked, entertained, and inspired by this truly remarkable individual who has had an a...

Dive into a massive episode packed with tattoo industry insights! We're tackling everything from the rise of AI in tattooing – is it the future, or a recipe for disaster? – to the wild behind-the-scenes stories of tattoo TV shows like Ink Master. Noelin Wheeler (@noelinwheeler) spills the tea on crazy experiences and what it's really like to be on TV. Plus, we take a moment to reflect on...

Ever wondered about the realities of a tattoo apprenticeship? We sit down with Las Vegas tattoo artist Jeffrey Bowser (@jckbtattoos) to discuss the challenges, the triumphs, and the invaluable lessons learned in the tattoo world. From getting paid during your apprenticeship to navigating unexpected hurdles, Jeffrey shares his wisdom and experience. 📍 Location: @heritagetattoolv 👤 Keep up with us...

Join us in this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer as we dive into the story of Anthony Elliott II! From line drawing flash when he was younger to tattooing his own father, Anthony’s journey is a testament to creativity, passion, and legacy. 🌟  Hear about the lessons he's learned along the way, and how he’s carrying on a tradition in the tattoo world. 🔥 Tune in for an unforgettable conv...

In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, Nick Bones opens up about the wild ride of his tattoo career — including the time his boss thought he was a spy! 🕵️‍♂️ From navigating that bizarre situation to running a grueling 100-mile race, Nick shares the incredible journey of overcoming challenges, both in the tattoo world and in life. 📍 Location: Las Vegas, NV   👤 Keep up with us:  Host- Au...

Join us on this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer as we dive into the incredible world of tattooing with Brooklyn’s own Phil Luck! Discover wild stories from his time at Studio 21 Tattoo (@studio21tattoo) including unforgettable moments like tattooing Michael Jackson’s dad! 🔥 Tune in for laughter, insights, and a peek into the life of a tattoo artist. Don’t miss out! 👏✨  📍 Location: Brook...

We’re excited to share the latest episode of Support Your Local Tattooer featuring the incredible Josh Sutcliffe! 🎙️ Have you ever thought about doing an apprenticeship on a TV show—in a casino in Las Vegas? 🎲  Join us as Josh breaks boundaries and shares his unique journey in the tattoo industry. Discover the ins and outs of tattooing in a vibrant city, hear incredible behind-the-scenes stories...

Thanks for tuning back in to the Support Your Local Tattooer Podcast! In this episode you'll hear from our Host, Austin Spencer and artist, Maribeth Klaar. Discover Maribeth's journey as a mother tattooer and all of the strength that comes with it. Get to know about the creation of the Metanoia Tattoo Gathering & how she was able to build a community for women to connect, share exper...

Thanks for tuning back in to the Support Your Local Tattooer Podcast! In this episode you get to hear from our Host, Austin Spencer and artist, Mason Chimato. Discover Mason’s incredible journey from piercer to tattoo artist, the power of collaboration, and how gaming and sports fuel his creativity. Plus, get expert advice on mastering the basics in tattooing and beyond. Don’t miss this exciting a...

Welcome to the Support Your Local Tattooer Podcast! In this episode you get to hear from our Host, Austin Spencer and his dad, Charlie Spencer as they reminisce about their history as tattooers and shop owners.  Navigating through their own tattoo apprenticeship to opening up their own tattoo shop, and all the craziness that comes with it! Being a shop owner for over 21 years in their hometown of...