We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shani Nizan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shani, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Q: How did you find your purpose? A: When I was about 15 I asked myself what could be my meaning of life. After seeing my mom and my grandma, I assumed that for me, it might be – having kids. I figured that I can use this time until being a mom to prepare = to find a way of making a living while being home, and enjoy it as well. That’s why I started drawing for money, and that’s the reason I do anything ever since. I’m a very practical person, I don’t believe that purpose, or meaning, are hidden somewhere deep. I believe that everything we want and need is right there in front of us, and simple.
Q: Being the only one in the room: how have you learned to be effective/successful even when you are the only one in the room that looks like you?
A: I don’t think there’s anyone who’s not the only one in the room. If you zoom in, and while believing in the butterfly effect, each of us is different in millions of ways. You see,I couldn’t find online any manual called “how to be a tattoo artist that specializes in a weird subject while making it in the fine art scene in New York and maintaining the relationships with your Jazz drummer husband, considering your childhood issues and the tips you got from your father.”
Q: Where does your self-discipline come from?
A: I make it into a game. I set rules that make the process clearer and more enjoyable. For example, “If I finish all my emails before 10 a.m., I get to call my niece.” I also promise results to other people so I’m held accountable. When I need extra focus, I invite friends to work with me. We’ll each be on our own laptops with a timer running—25 minutes of work, 5-minute breaks. It turns productivity into something structured yet fun, surrounded by people that inspires you.
Q: How have you overcome/beat creativity blocks (writer’s block, etc.)?
A: Somerset Maugham once said, “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” I’m a big believer in managing your feelings and actions. If creativity doesn’t strike, I either “invite it” by doing absolutely nothing (like really, nothing), or I switch to something I can work on in autopilot mode—something that doesn’t demand inspiration, just routine. Sometimes the space between the pressure to create and allowing yourself to pause is exactly where creativity reappears.
Q: How did you overcome or avoid burnout?
A: That’s one reason I do many different things at once. I don’t burn out from tattooing because I only tattoo two or three times a week. And I don’t burn out from drawing at home because, after tattooing, I miss it. The variety in my work keeps everything fresh. Each aspect of my life fuels the other, so burnout doesn’t stand a chance. Switching between tasks feels like hitting a mental reset button.
Q: How did you overcome imposter syndrome?
A: I didn’t. I just accepted that I never will. Imposter syndrome is a natural part of the process, and I’ve come to see it as a sign that I’m pushing my boundaries and stepping into new territory. The key isn’t to make it disappear but to keep moving forward despite it. In fact, sometimes, that lingering doubt reminds me that I’m not done learning—and that’s a good thing.
Q: How do you persist despite the haters, nay-sayers, etc.?
A: Well, I’m my own harshest critic. There isn’t a single hater out there who can out-criticize me (I’m also my biggest supporter). No one has ever said anything that shook me to my core, because chances are, I’ve already said it to myself. If someone does offer feedback, great—I listen. I can either take their advice, ignore it, or explain why I think differently. It’s just part of the process of growing and refining my work. I would love to hear anything anyone has to say.
Q: What do you do for self-care, and what impact has it had on your effectiveness?
A: There’s a Fran Lebowitz quote I love: “Music is like a drug that doesn’t kill you.” (Look up the full quote, it’s great). For me, music is the cure in almost every tough moment. I also self-care by surrounding myself with amazing, inspiring people and constantly working on being a better friend to them. It’s about nurturing the relationships that feed my soul. This keeps me grounded, balanced, and, ultimately, more effective in my work.
Q: Where does your optimism come from?
A: What other choice do we have? I’m optimistic because it’s a way of choosing not to be sad. There are plenty of horrible things happening in the world. If I started listing them, I’d probably never stop. But instead, I focus on doing everything in my power to make myself and my surroundings happier. Optimism isn’t just a mindset—it’s an active choice to push forward, even when the world seems dark.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Shani Nizan is a Brooklyn-based tattoo artist and illustrator originally from Haifa, Israel. Her work blends human and animal forms, capturing the raw and instinctual aspects of life in her unique artistic style. Having honed her craft in some of Europe’s top tattoo shops, Shani has now established herself in New York, where she not only creates custom tattoos but also exhibits her illustrations in prominent galleries.
What sets Shani apart is her ability to merge the deeply personal and the public nature of tattoos. Each piece is a collaboration between her creative vision and her client’s story, resulting in artwork that is both intimate and permanent. She is continually exploring new ways to expand her artistic reach, including creating custom digital illustrations and larger-scale tattoo pieces.
Shani is also focused on fostering collaborations within the influencer community by offering free tattoos in exchange for exposure, allowing her to grow her brand while connecting with a diverse range of individuals. Currently, she is pursuing artistic opportunities beyond tattooing, including exhibitions and applying for grants like The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, to further develop her career as an illustrator and fine artist.
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?
1. Believing in being proactive. I firmly believe that I can control how I perceive situations, how I think, and even manage my fears. Taking full responsibility for the challenges in my life is essential because no one else can fix things for me. Life doesn’t just hand us what we want. Success isn’t given—it’s created. There’s no predefined path, so you have to carve out your own. While the journey can be tough and may take a long time, there is always a way forward if you keep moving and stay focused.
The ability to stay flexible and move forward.
2. Hearing “no” is one of the most common experiences, and learning how to accept it without taking it personally is key. The reality is that plans rarely go as expected. Life is full of changing variables, and you have to be able to adjust yourself as those changes come. It’s important to plan ahead and dream big, but that only works if you’re willing to completely flip those dreams or plans when necessary. Being adaptable is what keeps you going when everything else shifts.
The drive to give back.
3. I’ve found that my genuine desire to give and help the people around me eventually benefits me as well. There’s something powerful about lifting others up, and it often creates a cycle where people naturally return that support. It’s a reminder that we don’t succeed alone—our relationships and the people we help are part of our success. Being generous not only feels right, but it also builds a network of mutual care that can be incredibly valuable in the long run.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Real deep contact with real people. outside of social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: ShaniNizan.com
- Instagram: shani.nizan
- Facebook: –
- Linkedin: –
- Twitter: –
- Youtube: –
- Yelp: –
- SoundCloud: –
Image Credits
x
