Meet Sera Ben Yesilbas

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sera Ben Yesilbas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sera, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I’ve always found comfort in small beginnings – a sketch, a conversation, an interior piece. They remind me that progress doesn’t have to be loud or immediate. When I joined Baris at The Base NYC three years ago, it felt like stepping into something already alive, and finding my own rhythm within it. Over time, I realized how much joy comes from simply creating alongside others – letting things grow naturally. Later, starting Slow Sundays Tattoo Club became a way to slow down and bring that same warmth into something more personal. For me, optimism comes from that place – from showing up with heart, even when I don’t know exactly where things are heading.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a multidisciplinary designer and studio lead at The Base NYC, a creative tattoo studio in Dumbo that blends art, design, and community. With a background in design, communication, and interior decorating, I’ve always loved creating spaces that feel alive. Over the years, we’ve hosted art shows, comedy nights, fashion events, and small music performances that turned the studio into a place for connection and creativity.

That same spirit inspired Slow Sundays Tattoo Club, a calmer, weekend-only space built around conversation and small, meaningful tattoos. Now, as we move into our next chapter in Boston, I’m focused on bringing that same energy to a new community, where design, tattoo culture, and everyday life meet naturally. I’ve always believed creativity thrives where people feel at ease.

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?

Looking back, the three qualities that have most shaped my path are resilience, curiosity, and intuition. Resilience came from learning to adapt to change, whether it was moving to new cities, changing career directions, or finding calm in uncertainty. Curiosity fuels my exploration of new ideas and ways of connecting with people; many of my accomplishments started with a simple “what if?”. And intuition ties it all together – it’s that quiet sense that tells me when something feels right.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am always open to collaborating with individuals passionate about creativity, community, and meaningful design. The Base has flourished through partnerships with artists, performers, and small brands who inject their unique energy into our spaces, from art and fashion shows to comedy and music nights. As we embark on our new chapter in Boston, I’m eager to connect with local artists, designers, and creatives who share this curiosity and desire to collaborate on events, installations, or small ideas that bring people together. Those interested can connect with us on Instagram: @thebasenyc or @thebaseboston. I’m always excited to explore new ideas.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thebasenyc.com
• Instagram: thebasenyc