Community Highlights: Meet Leonardo Vazquez of Monsters den Tattoo Shop LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonardo Vazquez.

Hi Leonardo, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
How did you get started in the tattoo industry?

I started tattooing when I was 17. My first clients were my neighbors, family members, and pretty much anyone who would let me practice. Nobody taught me how to tattoo. I learned on my own through trial and error, and by 27, I was working as a professional tattoo artist.

My parents weren’t happy about my interest in tattoos, but I knew it was what I wanted to do. At 31, I opened my first shop, West Coast Ink, in the city of Orange. I went on to run other shops and work alongside different artists. Those experiences helped shape my vision for Monsters Den Tattoo Shop.

I opened Monsters Den in 2017 at Euclid and La Palma in Anaheim. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I closed that location and reopened in 2020 at 700 W. Orangewood Avenue. My wife, Nikkie, and I have run the shop there ever since.

From the beginning, I wanted Monsters Den to feel welcoming. We’re close to Disneyland, so we meet a lot of visitors as well as local clients. Getting a tattoo or piercing can feel intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. I wanted to build the kind of shop where nobody feels scared or pressured—the kind of place your grandma would feel comfortable walking into.

We’ve been recognized for our work and the reviews our clients have shared, and joining the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce in 2026 was a proud milestone for us. We’re still growing, but what matters most to me is that people feel comfortable when they come through our doors and happy when they leave.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I started tattooing at 17 without a teacher, so I had to learn through trial and error. My parents were against tattoos, which made it harder to pursue something I cared about, but I kept going.

Opening a shop brought a different set of challenges. I’ve had to learn how to run a business, work with different artists, and keep moving through the ups and downs. One of the hardest moments was closing Monsters Den’s original location during COVID-19. My wife, Nikkie, and I reopened on Orangewood Avenue in 2020, and we’ve been there ever since.

Those experiences taught me to adapt and keep showing up. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I don’t take any of it for granted.

We’ve been impressed with Monsters den Tattoo Shop LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Monsters Den Tattoo Shop is a tattoo and piercing shop in Anaheim, close to Disneyland. My wife, Nikkie, and I run it together. We welcome walk-ins for both tattoos and piercings, and we stay open late because we know people don’t always have time to plan an appointment weeks in advance.

We work with people getting their first tattoo or piercing, visitors who want something to remember their trip, and clients who have a specific idea they want to bring to life. Our artists have different styles, so we can help people find the right person for what they want.

What sets us apart is how we make people feel. Tattoo shops can be intimidating. I built Monsters Den to be a place where you can come in, ask questions, and take your time without feeling judged or pressured. I always say I want it to be a shop your grandma would feel comfortable walking into.

Brand wise, I’m most proud that people recognize Monsters Den for that experience. The reviews our clients leave mean a lot to us because they reflect how they were treated, as well as the work they received. Joining the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce was another proud milestone. We’ve put years into building this shop, and Nikkie and I want every person who walks through the door to feel welcome.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was curious, independent, and a little stubborn. If something interested me, I wanted to figure out how to do it myself. That’s a big part of how I got into tattooing. I started at 17, without anyone teaching me, and learned by practicing and making mistakes.

I was drawn to the creativity of tattoos and the fact that every person had their own story behind what they wanted. My parents weren’t supportive of tattoos at first, but that didn’t change how interested I was. Once I found something I cared about, I kept at it.

I think I’m still that same person in a lot of ways. I like learning as I go, building things, and seeing an idea become real. That mindset eventually helped me go from tattooing my neighbors and family to opening my own shops.

Pricing:

• Shop minimum is $100 for tattoos
• Piercings start at $50

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.monstersdentattooshop.com
• Instagram: @monsters_den_tattooshop
• Facebook: @monsters_den_tattooshop
• Twitter: @monsters_den_tattooshop
• Youtube: @monsters_den_tattooshop
• Yelp: Monsters_den_tattooshop

Image Credits
want to thank myself for never giving up—even when the road was difficult. I kept believing in my vision, kept showing up, and kept building. I’m proud of the person I became along the way.