Daily Inspiration: Meet Joey Ortega

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Ortega

Hi Joey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
TABU started out as a dream, like most. But this dream started as children, and friendship. It was a dream, because we all came from a lower-class type lifestyle. As we got older, we were able to work hard and start TABU. Which explained our life, coming from a poor, punk rock lifestyle. TABU roots from graffiti, hood punk rock lifestyle. luckily I am a full time tattoo artist so our inspiration also mainly is driven through that. many may not understand it or even like it. But TABU to us means forever friendship and hard work to get where we want to get. We have been doing pretty well, for sure got some more work to do. but we are just getting the flow. We started in 2020 through all the chaos in the country. But now we have built a pretty solid team and time will only tell.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the beginning it was a smooth process with help from friends, by them offering help with materials and equipment. It has been a little up and down but now we have a program that works well! TABU has been funding itself with profits, purchasing new equipment and supplies. We do have a ways to go. We’re in the process of finding a studio to print out of and more efficient equipment.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am Joey Ortega, a full-time tattoo artist. I specialize in Chicano or American traditional style tattooing. These traits have a heavy influence in our designs and target audience. We definitely try to be as original with our designs as possible. That is a very pride based ideal we have for our company. We definitely try to not steal 0r “recreate” others ideas.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I think most people that know us, would say we always come with a positive mentality. Also, it can be surprising how we offer a lot of goodies and ways to give back to the people that support us. Our friendship within the company is very strong and has been going on for over 15 years. Theres four of us, and it brings us closer every time we meet.

Pricing:

• T shirts- $25-$40
• Hoodies- $45
• Sweats-$40

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tabuco.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: @tabu_co_

Image Credits
Joey Ortega (photographer)
Dillon Carrillo (photographer)