Meet Elyssa “lyss” Bennawit

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elyssa “lyss” Bennawit. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Elyssa “Lyss”, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

Generosity is something we often assume comes naturally to everyone, but working in the service industry reveals that this isn’t always the case. In the creative service world, you meet a variety of people every day, sharing ideas, life lessons, stories, and more while building meaningful relationships with your clients. Through these conversations, you gain insight into others’ experiences. You’ve probably seen the “service provider equals therapist” memes, and they’re true—often in the best way! (What people don’t mention is that sometimes our clients act as our therapists, too, and we love them for it.) Personally, I’ve had days where I wasn’t feeling my best, and my clients showed me incredible kindness. Whether we’re venting or laughing through the session, you never know what someone else might be dealing with. Offering generosity and positivity in these interactions creates an unbeatable feeling.

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’m 23 years old, born and raised in Pittsburgh, and I’ve been in the creative industry for a few years now. I started as a nail artist, working for three years from 2021 to 2024, but I’ve since transitioned out of the nail world. Right now, my focus is on my tattoo studio, EffortLyss Ink, based in Castle Shannon, PA. I specialize in tiny fine line tattoos, script designs, and minimalistic work. I’ve been tattooing for just over a year, and the studio is coming up on its first anniversary.

While I’m still in the process of developing my own distinct style, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with different techniques and designs as I learn the craft. Right now, I’m focusing on narrowing down my niche, and it’s been an exciting journey to refine my skills while building meaningful connections with my clients.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

For anyone early in their journey, there are three key qualities I think are really important to focus on:

First, learning how to be kind to yourself. Giving yourself grace is one of the hardest but most crucial skills to develop. When things get tough, confusing, or even scary, it’s easy to be hard on yourself. But learning to extend the same kindness and patience you give others to yourself during those moments will help push you toward success.

Second, never give up. Personally, I struggle with the urge to drop everything and run when things get hectic or difficult. But I remind myself of the effort and progress I’ve already made, which helps me stay motivated and keep moving forward.

Lastly, take risks. Risks are undeniably scary, but they’re part of everyday life whether we realize it or not. I’ve often felt pressured to follow a specific path to success, but there isn’t just one way to achieve it. Success looks different for everyone, and no matter what it means to you—whether it’s financial success, travel, or family life—risks are involved in every scenario. In my own journey, I’ve taken risks, and some have paid off in ways I never expected.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who gives me the creative freedom to bring their design ideas to life. I’m not really comfortable doing exact replicas of designs from photo references—I love to add my own personal touch to make each piece unique and special to the client.

Good communication is also key. It’s essential during both the design process and the actual session so that everyone is fully prepared and on the same page.

Lastly, I really appreciate clients who bring good vibes! I try to create a fun, relaxed environment during sessions, with great music, snacks, and water on hand if needed. I love connecting with my clients, and most of the time, we spend the session laughing and enjoying good conversation, making the whole experience enjoyable for both of us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.effortlyssink.com
• Instagram: effortlyssink
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/effortlyssink
• Other: www.linktr.ee/effortlysspgh

  (photo credits: @janetvannarephotography)

Image Credits

Instragram: @JanetVennarePhotography – Janet Vennare