Meet Krissy, a tattoo artist & co-owner of the Bloodline Dynasty tattoo shop, who’s been tattooing for 12 years. Krissy, also called “The Butcher” by her clients, loves everything about the tattoo industry. She loves being able to live & thrive in a creative space daily. Read more about Krissy.
Krissy The Butcher
How did you get started in your industry?
It was something that happened organically. I was always into art as a child, but once college came, I dropped my art dreams for a second to pursue my degree in biology. I became slightly depressed, feeling like there was a void in my life. A lot of my friends at the time were going to tattoo parties & I would always tag along. But then, tattooing & the lifestyle began to spark my interest. Finally, once I stepped into my 1st professional tattoo shop, my intuition told me this was the career path for me & I dove in & never looked back.
Growing up, did you imagine being an entrepreneur?
I didn’t know what the technical meaning of an entrepreneur was when I was growing up. I watched my dad build a highly successful construction project management company from the ground up. So I think I was no stranger to hard work & in & outs of having a business from a very young age. Entrepreneurship was instilled in me. I can say that now looking back on my life.
In the beginning stages of developing your brand/business, what was your biggest struggle and how did you overcome it?
My biggest struggle was learning how to delegate tasks & not having to do everything myself. I have control issues when it comes to my business because I want it done right. But any successful business owner knows there is no possible way to do everything yourself. You have to hire people to help you run the business. If you don’t, you will burn out very quickly.
Do you feel like you are pursuing purpose? If so, how did you know this was your purpose?
Yes, I am most definitely pursuing my purpose. I know this because my soul is happy. No matter how hard my days are, I still feel happy inside. I’m delighted to work with amazing artists & clients every day.
Krissy The Butcher’s vision is to lead and empower those who typically find it challenging to discover their voice. She looks to be an inspiration and leader for artists, women & diverse cultures everywhere.
Please tell us about Bloodline Dynasty.
Bloodline Dynasty is a vibe! It’s a mixture of black excellence & high-level tattoo artistry. It’s something I feel like all people who are into body art should experience at least once. The artists are beautiful, the interior design is gorgeous…and the tattoo art we create matches as well!
What is the best part of Bloodline Dynasty? What keeps you motivated to keep going?
The best part about Bloodline Dynasty is the organically formed group of artists. Everyone is so talented & brings their flavor to the shop. Providing more people of color a safe place to get body art keeps me going. So often in the past, people of color felt discriminated against & left out of the tattoo industry from a client & artist standpoint. The narrative has now changed.
As an entrepreneur myself, I understand that sometimes personal life can get in the way of business. Have you encountered any personal hurdles that could have or did result in a business pivot?
It’s always hard to maintain romantic & family relationships & successful business life. Sometimes the stress of it all can cause one or the other to suffer. But at the end of the day, it’s all about balance. So check-in with yourself first, then with your loved ones, to see where your energy should be directed and set healthy boundaries early.
During these times, we’ve all had to adjust. How was this adjustment been for you and your brand?
The adjustment has been a wake-up call to go harder & not play it safe! My brand has always pushed the limits, but these times have taught me to reach for the stars. Nothing is unattainable.
How did starting your brand affect your mental health?
Starting my brand made me hyper-focused, so I shifted all my energy toward ensuring the business succeeded. So along the way, many times, my mental & physical health took a back burner. Mentally it became hard to shift gears out of shark mode & to relax & do things ordinary people did. Having fun & relaxing seemed like a waste of my time. But now, I’m at the point in my career where I have to reverse that thinking.
What’s the difference between the woman (you) before starting the brand and the woman (you) right now?
Before starting the brand, the woman I was seemed to care a little too much about what others thought about my life path, which made me slightly self-conscious. The woman I am now could care less about others’ opinions. I now know that the world is in the palm of my hands. The woman I now know that life is limitless, abundant, & magical!
What are some tips for Business/Brand Owners to avoid feeling burnt out and taking care of their mental health?
- Delegate tasks
- Carve out specific days and times only for self-care
- Spend time with your loved ones
- Give yourself grace
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Stand your ground & speak your mind. Learn that it is okay to put yourself & your needs first. Create goals early on & stick to knocking them out.
Lastly, what keeps you strutting?
What keeps me struttin’ are the women in my family who sacrificed to make me the strong woman I am today!
Connect with Krissy The Butcher
Interested in learning more about Krissy? Follow her on social below and learn about her up tattoo shop:
- Website
- Instagram: @thexbutcher
Originally posted 10/28/21