We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abigail Adams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abigail below.
Abigail , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from my upbringing. I was raised in a household where stability was rare. I lost my father at a very young age, and his absence left a void that shaped much of my early years. Not long after, my mother began battling substance abuse—struggles that stemmed from untreated mental health issues. This eventually led me into foster care.
When I was reunited with my mother, things were far from okay. Her addiction had changed her into someone I barely recognized. The loving mother I once knew was gone, replaced by a version of her shaped by pain, trauma, and dependency. The abuse I experienced during that time only ended when I became emancipated at sixteen.
At that point, I knew I had to step up—not just for myself, but for my siblings. I would do anything to protect them. As a child, it was confusing, painful, and isolating. I didn’t always understand the chaos around me, but I knew one thing for certain: I had to grow up fast.
Early on, I learned that the only person I could consistently rely on was myself. Emotional independence wasn’t a choice—it was survival. But what could have made me bitter or broken instead made me determined. I wanted a different life—not just for me, but for my siblings. When my mother passed away, I became their guardian at eighteen. I wasn’t ready, but I had no other choice.
Through that experience, I discovered a strength I didn’t know I had. I learned to lead with love in the middle of chaos. I learned how to stay calm during crises, how to show up even when I was exhausted, and how to create stability for others while still searching for it myself.
At the same time, I made a conscious decision not to lose myself in the weight of responsibility. I didn’t want to be defined solely by survival. I wanted to thrive. I wanted joy, creativity, and purpose. I wanted to pursue my passions and reclaim the parts of myself that existed beyond trauma.
That tension—between holding everything together and holding onto my dreams—built a deep inner grit. To me, resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship. It’s about making meaning from it. It’s about refusing to let the past dictate the future. It’s about showing up for the people I love, while learning to show up for myself too.
I don’t pretend that the path I’ve walked was easy, or that I have it all figured out. But every challenge has taught me something: how to adapt, how to lead, and how to hold onto hope, even when it was hard to find. That’s the foundation I stand on today. It may not be perfect, and it certainly wasn’t painless—but it’s mine. And I’m proud of the person it has made me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve always been a deeply creative individual. Art has been my outlet for as long as I can remember, but tattooing is where I found my true passion.Recently, I reached a milestone I’m incredibly proud of ,moving into a larger studio space of my own. But for me, it’s about more than just the space. My goal has always been to create a personal, safe, and welcoming studio where people feel truly comfortable.
Tattooing can be deeply therapeutic. People come in for all kinds of reasons celebrating a milestone, commemorating a loved one, reclaiming their body after trauma, or simply expressing themselves through art. Every story matters. Every person matters. And that’s why I’ve created a judgment-free zone where people can relax, feel seen, and enjoy the process.
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?
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that there are three core qualities that have been essential to my growth: self-discipline, creative risk-taking, and self-trust.
Self-discipline has been the foundation. It’s what kept me pushing forward, even on the hard days. Whether it was staying up late to practice, learning new styles, or improving my technique, I had to hold myself accountable without anyone else pushing me.
Equally important has been the willingness to take creative risks. Tattooing is an art form, and stepping outside of my comfort zone trying new techniques, styles, and ideas has helped me evolve not just as an artist, but as a business owner. Taking chances on myself, even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed, has opened doors I never imagined.
And finally, building a business in a field that’s so subjective has required a lot of confidence and self-trust. Art is in the eye of the beholder, and it can be stressful knowing not everyone will see your vision. But I’ve learned to trust my process and my voice as an artist. That self-belief is what keeps me grounded and growing.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My childhood wasn’t traditional, and my parents weren’t perfect. But one thing they gave me—one thing they got so right—was my name.
They named me after a powerful woman in history, just like they did with my siblings. From a young age, I was told that I carried strength simply because of the name I wore. I didn’t fully understand the depth of that at first. But over the years, through all the things I’ve lived through, I’ve come to realize how much power that name holds—and how much it gave me.
It became more than a word. It became a reminder. A legacy. A reason to hold my head high even when life tried to pull me down.
It reminded me that strength can come from within—but sometimes it starts with what you’re called. My name made me feel seen, even when I felt invisible. It told me I came from something strong, even when my world felt like it was falling apart. It told me I had purpose, even when I felt lost.
And now, when I introduce myself, I do it with pride.
Because my name isn’t just a part of me—it’s the foundation I stand on. It carries history, intention, and identity. It connects me to something bigger than myself. And I’m thankful every day that my parents saw that power and chose to place it on me.
They gave me a gift I didn’t even realize I would need
Contact Info:
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Image Credits
Todd Strange
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