We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Omar (Chito) Galvan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Omar (Chito) below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Omar (Chito) with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Where did I get my work ethic from? Well I can say first I give thanks to God because sometimes I don’t even know where my strength and my willingness to continue come from, but my parents , watching my dad and my mom work hard and stay committed to anything they set their mind to really shaped how I approach life. Rejoice in Heaven MOM ❤️
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
BrickHouse Collective LLC, which is home to BrickHouse Ink in Three Rivers, Michigan, our tattoo studio; BrickHouse Strength, our athletic brand; and BrickHouse Apparel, along with several other projects currently in development that we can’t speak on just yet.
I’ve always been highly ambitious and willing to think outside the box, a mindset I believe comes from being raised by entrepreneurs. Our main storefront is BrickHouse Ink, a tattoo studio specializing in custom tattoos and piercings. The shop is home to an incredibly talented team of artists—myself, Leak Jamison, and Emma Bushouse—as well as our piercer, my wife, Nathalie Galvan.
However, BrickHouse didn’t start as a tattoo shop. The idea was originally brought to life alongside my uncle, Daniel Trevino, who now runs BrickHouse Strength. We were initially brainstorming a brand name for a line of flannels when he came up with BrickHouse Flannels. I responded, “Why stop at flannels? Let’s make it bigger.” That moment sparked the creation of what is now BrickHouse Collective.
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?
Three qualities that have been key to my growth are passion, adaptability, and discipline. From my experience, without passion there is no real desire to pursue anything. When it comes to tattooing, it wasn’t a passion at first—it started as curiosity. I admired the art form and simply wondered if I could do it. The moment I completed my first tattoo, something clicked. I was instantly drawn to it, and the rest is history.
Adaptability has been just as important. I believe you have to know how to adapt to everything—failure, industry changes, evolving trends, and unexpected obstacles. Learning how to navigate challenges as they arise is essential to long-term growth and survival.
Discipline is probably the most important quality, and also the hardest to maintain. Entrepreneurship is not for the weak, especially when you have a family depending on you. The pressure is real—but it’s good pressure. Discipline, in any form, is difficult because it’s the easiest thing to let slip. It’s a constant daily battle of responsibilities, routines, and commitments, all of which are necessary for your business to thrive.
If I had to give advice to anyone just starting out, it would be this: understand that real sacrifices will be required. There will be times when things get extremely hard—mentally, financially, and emotionally. Keep your head up and never give up on your passion. Learn to adapt, because adaptability will carry you through tough times. Stay teachable, remain willing to learn, and above all, stay disciplined.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I couldn’t give credit to just one person. First and foremost, by the grace of God, I am successful in everything I do. Even when something doesn’t work out, there is always a lesson to be learned, and I carry that forward.
Next is my wife. Without her unwavering support, I truly don’t believe I would be where I am today. On the days when I’m exhausted, mentally drained, or overwhelmed, she’s the one who lifts me up and keeps me going. She has always had my back, and she is a major reason I had the confidence to pursue tattooing as a career.
My parents also played a huge role in shaping who I am. Although my mother has passed, so many of my characteristics come from her. She never got the chance to see what I’m building now, but I know she’s watching over us. My father is the reason I work as hard as I do. He taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, showed me how to chase my passion, and even bought me my first tattoo machine. My parents never shut down my dreams—they always supported me, even when those dreams may have seemed far-fetched.
Lastly, my siblings, friends, and extended family have all been a constant source of encouragement. I’m blessed with a strong support system, and that’s why I could never narrow my gratitude down to just one person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BrickHouseInk.com
- Instagram: @brickhouse.ink
- Facebook: BrickHouse Ink
- Other: other Instagram : @inkedxchito
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