Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh St.Germain.
Josh, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well it all started with a dare. A friend of mine, who knew my background of drawing and doodling, dared me to tattoo myself one night while we were hanging out. Not being one to turn down a dare, I ordered a cheap tattoo machine kit off of the Internet and studied YouTube videos to learn how to operate the machine properly while I waited for it to arrive. I then tattooed myself in my bedroom the night the machine was delivered. To say my mom was pissed when she caught me was an understatement. But, two months later I got myself a proper apprenticeship with a gentleman who had been tattooing for over 15 years. And now I have been professionally tattooing for ten years and I own my own studio.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not! Building a strong network of clientele as a new artist was very difficult in the beginning, and opening my own studio this past year also had it’s challenges. But I believe that without struggle, you cannot truly learn anything. You have to face challenges to learn how to overcome them and persevere. One struggle in particular I had to learn from was not taking any crap from anyone. A lot of people told me I couldn’t open my own studio, but I set a goal of owning my studio by the time I was 30 and I was open and thriving as a business by the time I was 28.
Saint & Sinners Tattoo Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Saint & Sinners Tattoo Studio is the studio I built from the ground up and tattoo at in Auburn, Alabama. Currently I am a private, appointment only, studio. I specialize in all styles of tattooing from black and gray to full color, and micro bangers to full sleeves. A few styles I am especially known for are micro tattoos and full color designs, especially elaborate and detailed flowers. My studio creates long lasting, custom, artwork for those wanting to use their bodies as a canvas.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, success is something that I strive for every day. I do so by waking up and going to the studio and making sure every single tattoo I create is done to the best of my ability every single time. A tattoo can change someone’s entire appearance, and elevate their confidence. When someone looks at the tattoo I created for them and explains how it has changed their life for the better, I consider that a success.
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Josh St.Germain
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