We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erdem Ordu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Erdem, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?
18-23 yaslari arasinda henuz amatorken, gecimimi saglamak icin garsonluk yapip barlarda calismistim. Surekli insanlarla diyalog halinde olmak sosyal becerilerimi yukseltmemde avantaj sagladi diyebilirim.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hello, I’m Erdem, 32 years old, originally from Istanbul, Turkey. I’m a tattoo artist, and I moved to Los Angeles about 1.5 years ago by getting an O1-B Visa (an extraordinary ability visa) in my field. Major collaborations with big brands, including brands like Lacoste, Nike, National Geographic, and Soho House, helped me get approved for the visa. I mention these not just to highlight my work as a tattoo artist but also to emphasize that I didn’t solely rely on tattooing for these collaborations. Being multidisciplinary and combining tattooing with other products, presenting it in a different field, has always opened new doors for me. Based on where I am now and my experiences, if I were to give advice, I would say that solely focusing on your work may not always be beneficial; sometimes, even turning the glass upside down can be effective.
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. Art background 2. Hardwork & determination
3. Good friends
4. Music
5. Helping other artist
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Oh, absolutely, they didn’t want me to do tattoos. During my high school years, my grades were very high, and many people, including my teachers, expected me to go to a good school, but I leaned towards learning tattooing instead. Back then, there were very few tattoo studios in Istanbul, and it was nearly impossible to apprentice somewhere. So, I said to myself, ‘I’ll learn on my own,’ and despite the difficulties, I did learn. Looking back, I can say I’m glad I listened to my own voice. If someone tells you that you can’t do something, I think you should definitely do it. I believe no one should know what will make you happy except yourself; even if it ends up in a negative situation, I recommend making your own choices.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: ediordu
