Hidden Gems: Meet Gina Lee of Elevate You Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Lee

Hi Gina, 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?
My journey into paramedical tattooing started at one of the lowest points in my life. I was a single mother, struggling to support myself and my two daughters, feeling lost and desperate for a way to make ends meet while doing something meaningful. One day, I stumbled upon a video of a child hood burn victim who tattooed her own burn scar on the face with skin tone ink on YouTube about paramedical tattooing, and something just clicked. Her story of turning the trauma into light inspired me deeply. The idea of helping people regain confidence by camouflage tattooing their scars and transforming their skin really resonated with me. It felt like a calling.

I didn’t have much as a single mom who was raising two kids alone, but I was determined. I saved up everything I could to take those first training courses. Even after that, the path wasn’t easy. I had no apprenticeship or internship to guide me, so I spent countless hours practicing on my own, working on models, building case studies to perfect my craft. I remember skipping vacations with my girls just to focus on learning and improving. It wasn’t glamorous, but I knew that I had to put in the work if I wanted to make this a career.

After training, I had to hustle to find clients. I would go on Facebook mommy groups, offering my services for free to build my porfolio and building trust one person at a time. Slowly, word of mouth started to spread, and I began to gain traction. I opened my studio, Elevate You Studio, not because I had everything figured out, but because I knew that if I didn’t take the leap, all my hard work would go to waste. It was a do-or-die decision, and giving up wasn’t an option.

Now, six years later, I’ve grown from struggling to get my first client to becoming a master trainer, running my own studio, and helping other aspiring artists find their way in this field, from a broke single mom who couldn’t afford much to an independent female entrepreneur my daughters are proud of. There have been challenges—social media restrictions, moments of self doubt and fear—but I was good at focusing on positive energy, trusting the process, envisioning my future. I meditated everyday to picture ” the future me ” , I manifested my version of success that looks like this. The moments of smiling with calm but grounded energy turning my own past trauma into the light, The moments my clients are happy feeling whole again, the moments I finally have freedom of being able to spend quality time with my kids without worrying about next month rent. The universe has had my back, and I’ve been fortunate to have clients who believe in my work and spread the word,

Every step of the way has been about taking risks, trusting in myself, and believing that I’ve worked hard enough to deserve the success I’m building. And that’s what I want others to take away from my story—if you’re willing to put in the work and trust yourself, you can create the life and career you dream of.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—far from it. There were a lot of struggles along the way, and every step felt like a new challenge and constant problem solving. When I first discovered paramedical tattooing, I was at a low point in my life, both financially and emotionally. I had to save up every dollar I could just to afford the training. Even after completing the training, I quickly realized that the real work was just beginning.

There weren’t many opportunities for internships or apprenticeships in paramedical tattooing back then, so I had to figure things out on my own. I spent countless hours practicing, perfecting my skills on models, and trying to get the word out about my services. First year was difficult to break into the field and find clients as paramedical tattooing was not well acknowledged then.

Another big challenge was dealing with social media restrictions. Paramedical tattooing is such a visual art form, and showing before-and-after transformations is key to attracting clients. But platforms like Instagram and Facebook often restrict posts showing procedures, which made it hard to market my work. That’s where word of mouth became a lifeline—past clients would share their stories, and slowly, my client base grew.

First few years I did not have work life balance I had to sacrifice my weekend and vacation times with kids as a single mom, I had to ask for understanding from my daughters. There were many moments of doubt, times when I wondered if I would ever break through, but I kept pushing. Balancing being a single mother and trying to grow a business was tough, but I had to trust the process, and most importantly, trust myself. Those struggles made me more resilient and determined, and they’ve shaped me into the artist and trainer I am today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Elevate You Studio is a unique and specialized paramedical tattoo studio that focuses on helping individuals feel more confident in their own skin through scar camouflage, stretch mark treatments, and 3D areola tattooing. Founded and operated by me, Gina Lee, the studio has grown over the past six years into a space dedicated to both artistry and healing. We provide transformative services that go beyond aesthetics—our goal is to help people regain their sense of self after experiencing surgeries, trauma, or skin conditions that affect their appearance.

At Elevate You Studio, we specialize in medical tattoo artistry, particularly for individuals with scars, stretch marks, or those recovering from mastectomies. Our 3D areola tattooing services are especially known for creating realistic results, helping breast cancer survivors feel whole again. We also offer advanced scar camouflage techniques and paramedical tattooing services that work on healing scar tissue and blending seamlessly with the client’s natural skin tone for various surgery scars such as skin cancer surgery, any cosmetic surgery scars.

What sets Elevate You Studio apart is our deep understanding of color theory and the attention to detail we apply to every treatment. I’ve spent years perfecting my craft, focusing on creating skin tones, pigmentation, and the art of creating natural-looking tattoos that restore confidence. My background in working alongside of breast cancer doctors, plastic surgeons, vitiligo clinic , burn centers. and other medical professionals gives me a unique edge, as I’m constantly staying updated with research and techniques to ensure my clients receive the best care possible.

I’m most proud of the studio’s ethos of resilience, empowerment, and community. Elevate You Studio is not just a place for physical transformation but also emotional healing. Our studio has become a safe haven where clients can share their stories, feel supported, and leave feeling empowered. It’s about so much more than tattoos—it’s about celebrating the beauty of every journey and helping people feel comfortable in their skin again.

What I want readers to know about Elevate You Studio is that we’re committed to providing world-class paramedical tattoo services, and we also offer training for aspiring medical tattoo artists who share the same passion to help people. As a master trainer, I’ve designed training programs that help others enter this life-changing field, ensuring they learn not only the technical skills but also the compassionate approach that’s at the heart of what we do.

Whether you’re seeking scar or stretch mark camouflage, 3D areola tattoos, or looking to enter the field as an artist yourself, Elevate You Studio is a place where artistry meets healing. We’re here to make a difference, one client at a time.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes me truly happy is knowing that through my skills as a paramedical tattoo artist, I can help people regain their confidence, and provide them a safe place. There’s an indescribable feeling of fulfillment when someone walks into my studio, burdened by their scars or skin conditions, and leaves feeling empowered and beautiful. It’s not just about the work I do on their skin; it’s about witnessing their emotional transformation. Seeing that shift in confidence and knowing that I played a small role in their journey toward healing brings me so much joy.

Another thing that fills me with happiness and pride is seeing my former trainees thrive. When I hear about their successes and see them practicing the artistry that I helped teach them, it’s a deeply rewarding feeling. Watching them grow, develop their skills, and make a difference in the lives of others through paramedical tattooing is incredible. It reminds me of how far I’ve come, and it’s proof that this work has a ripple effect—it’s not just about me anymore, but about helping others find their passion and spread that impact.

On a more personal note, kindness is something that always makes me happy. Whether it’s seeing people extend a helping hand or just witnessing moments of compassion, it reinforces the good in the world. I’ve experienced so much kindness throughout my journey, especially when I was just starting, and it’s heartwarming to see that same spirit of generosity and support in others. Those acts of kindness inspire me and remind me why I do what I do every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elevateyoustudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevateyoustudio_medicaltattoo/profilecard/?igsh=MWhya3R2MWFiNmViZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElevateYouMedicalTattoo?mibextid=LQQJ4d