We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melissa Posey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melissa below.
Hi Melissa , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Gaining confidence as a tattoo artist in a male dominated industry was a journey. The industry can be very toxic towards women, especially on the mentor/apprentice side of things. I began seeing the difference in how I was treated vs how male apprentices were treated very early on. One day I sent a DM to a female artist that I admired and asked for some advice because I felt like I was working twice as hard while getting half the recognition (if any). She could relate with the struggles I was facing and it made me feel less alone. She recommended getting tattooed by women I respect, networking with other female tattooers and not to be afraid to stand my ground. One thing she told me that stuck with me through my whole career, and even now, was “your art should be so strong that its undeniable, regardless if you are male or female”. So my c0nfidence as a tattooer came from the work and hours I put into my craft. Networking with other female tattooers helped me feel seen in the industry and realize that a lot of other people share my experience and that I wasn’t alone.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Melissa. I am a native of Columbus, Georgia. I am a mother to an amazing 5 year old boy. I started practicing henna in 2015, which led me to pursue a tattoo apprenticeship in Smyrna, Georgia. I returned to Columbus to continue my apprenticeship and began working in a high traffic street shop. Taking many walk ins a day allowed me to become well rounded in different tattoo styles. I began to really enjoy tattooing detailed mandalas, delicate linework and more feminine pieces. I opened my own shop in January 2022 and I was really able to dive into my creativity and develop my own style. I wanted to create a space where anyone could come and feel comfortable getting a tattoo. I believe each tattoo experience should make you feel your best, from the design on your body to the person you are trusting to do the art. One of my favorite things about tattooing is the self confidence it can bring. I love being able to take part of someone that they are self conscious and transform it into something they love and are proud to show off.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’ve come to understand the significance of dedication in pursuing my career. It’s taught me the importance of committing wholeheartedly to my goals and putting in the necessary effort to achieve them. In a hustle culture, finding balance between work and personal life can be difficult. However, I believe it’s essential to prioritize self-care and living your life outside of work to sustain long-term success and well-being. Recognising that our personal lives enrich and support our professional endeavors.
As a mother the most important advice I’ve received was “never be ashamed of putting your family first”. In the past I have felt very behind in some senses because I was comparing my journey to others that didn’t have the same responsibilities as I do. My son has always and will always come first, but realising that I don’t have to feel guilty or like I wasn’t accomplishing enough was very liberating.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is someone that trusts me fully as their artists and lets me be as creative as I want. Someone that is reliable, communicates what they want effectively, open-minded & nice to talk to. I also really appreciate someone that follows the aftercare instructions and takes care of their tattoo properly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.littlebeecolumbus.com
- Instagram: @littlebeecolumbus
