Meet German Gamboa

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful German Gamboa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi German, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My career as a Tattoo Artist, has helped my self-esteem and confidence greatly; however, it has been a long journey, full of trial and error. I quickly learned that feeling confident and having good self-esteem are key elements when tattooing. From a young age, I had the opportunity to participate in many sports, mostly due to my family always encouraging me to stay active, and without realizing it, I developed a sense of competitiveness. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I took part in many competitions, both in sports and drawing. I was fortunate as a child to experience not only winning but also losing. These competitive experiences made understood that without confidence and self-esteem, it would be impossible to progress in skills where we rely solely on ourselves.

Tattooing is an art that requires those two factors. Without that inner strength, it’s hard to move forward in this business. It truly is an art that goes hand in hand with feeling comfortable with what you’re doing in order to improve every day. Life has always thrown obstacles my way, and I’ve had to learn to see the positive in any situation, thus channeling all that negative energy into positive energy. This has made me trust myself more every day, believing that nothing is impossible and that if I keep my head held high, I will have the attitude and energy to deal with any hurdles that come my way. There is nothing better than being outside of your comfort zone and at the same time feeling that it is the most enjoyable part.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I have dedicated myself to the art of tattooing, in which I am currently going on to 9 years of experience. This beautiful profession has been my savior; through it, I have been able to achieve many goals I have set for myself. It has allowed me to grow personally, serve as my refuge in moments I felt alone, and thanks to it, I have met many incredible and interesting people, all in with whom I have connected, filling my life with beautiful experiences that always surprise me.
In recent years, I have grown my business by having a team that has allowed me to operate more globally. Most of my time is spent traveling, discovering, and conquering new cities to continue expanding my art. Many people come to me for both the quality of my work and the energy I bring to others, which elevates our experiences and creates unique moments on both sides. I personally try to give my all in every piece I create, just as I do with any goal that comes my way.
I am soon planning to expand my internal strategy to create a movement, offering the world a unique and exclusive experience. Additionally, one of my short and long-term goals is to establish a physical entity, creating a space where different types of art can coexist, while also incorporating artist management to build a concept where teamwork is highlighted.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Education and Design Expertise, Client Relations, and Marketing – These three qualities have been essential for advancing my career. My background in design and education has enabled me to create unique, creative tattoo designs, where my knowledge helps me craft beautiful compositions.

Strong client relations have allowed me to expand my clientele and understand how to align my artistic vision with each client’s needs, creating a collaborative process that enhances the final work.

Finally, marketing has been key in teaching me how to promote both myself and my art effectively, targeting the right audience and helping me grow my reputation in this highly competitive industry.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who allows me to create freely. There’s nothing more rewarding than creating with joy. The best clients are those who give me creative freedom, are open to understanding or taking my suggestions, and can simply express what they like about my work and what they envision. This helps me design something truly unique without restrictions.

On the other hand, when a client is not open to suggestions and only wants the idea they envision, we end up creating within certain limits, which can hinder the connection I can establish with the piece. I always strive to ensure we’re on the same page and energy, so I can give them my best work. When that happens, clients often become friends, which is the most rewarding aspect. When they love my art, it’s easier to return that love through my work.

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