Meet Jesse (Simba) Trujillo of Orange, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse (Simba) Trujillo.

Hi Jesse (Simba), can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Well, my story starts in Torrance, CA. Born August 28th, 1990 to a young immigrant family from Guadalajara, Mexico—my mom, dad, two brothers, and a sister. Spanish was always the first language at home, and learning English had its growing pains, but nothing Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers couldn’t smooth out.

We didn’t have much growing up. I was an apartment kid—scraping knees, falling off skateboards until sunset with the neighborhood kids. No cable, no video games—but we always had a guitar. That guitar was everything. Music became a language of its own for me, and I learned to speak it young.

School was never really my thing unless the subject lit a fire in me. I’ve always been that type—if something grabs my interest, I dive deep, headfirst. That obsessive curiosity has always been my edge.

At 19, everything changed. I walked into All Hallows Ink in Downtown Fullerton to buy some hoops for my ears, and that’s where I met Tina Valencia—an APP member and a powerhouse in the body mod world. Not sure what she saw in the scrappy version of me back then, but she offered me an apprenticeship. I was lifeguarding at a community pool at the time and had no clue that body piercing would become my life’s work. But it did. It became more than a job—it became a passion. A practice rooted in ritual, energy exchange, healing, and transformation. It became a mirror.

Tina passed away a couple of years ago—may she rest in peace. Her impact on my life and career runs deep, and I carry her lessons with me every time I pick up a needle.

I bounced around a few shops and eventually hit the road in a van, chasing the trim scene up in Humboldt during its golden era. Festivals, Burning Man, psychedelics, soul-searching—I lived the vagabond dream and met some incredible people along the way. But somewhere in that whirlwind, alcohol crept in and started taking more than it gave.

Eventually, I moved back home with a girl I’d fallen in love with. It was a teacher-student kind of love—she grounded me. But even in that domestication, my demons followed. One day, I walked back into a piercing studio—and something shifted. I decided to put the bottle down. A year later, I was still piercing, still sober, and more committed than ever. I knew then—this wasn’t just a phase. This was my path.

Now, I’ve owned my own studio for over two years—Symbiosis Body Piercing—and I’m working on expanding to a second location. There’s a kind of relentless drive in me now, this hunger to make up for lost time. But I regret nothing. Every stumble shaped me. Every twist in the road brought me closer to who I really am. I’ve excelled in my career by staying tapped into the pulse of the industry—attending the annual APP conference where I’ve had the honor of meeting and learning from some of my biggest piercing heroes. I’ve traveled up and down the state, stepping into different studios, shadowing and exchanging knowledge with icons who’ve been in this game longer than I have. That hunger to grow never fades.

On top of that, I’ve kept a deep connection with my clients—something sacred to me. There’s a certain charm I carry now, shaped by the roads I’ve wandered, the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve lived. It shows in every interaction. Review after review, my name echoes as a trusted go-to. Even as a one-man show, clients often say they prefer it that way—because what they receive is all of me. My full attention. My energy. My care. Every piercing is personal. Every appointment, intentional.

And through it all, I’ve come to live by a simple mantra: Be humble. Be confident. Be authentic.
Body piercing didn’t just offer me a way to make a living—it gave me purpose.
It’s more than a career.
It’s a calling.
It’s the art that saved my life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My path’s been full of detours, breakdowns, and sharp turns I didn’t always see coming. After my apprenticeship, I bounced around a few studios, trying to find where I truly fit. Eventually, I packed up and bought a van, chasing a deeper sense of freedom. I headed north to Humboldt County and immersed myself in the cannabis trim scene—living out of my van, drifting through festivals, and soaking up the wild, raw beauty of that lifestyle.

Burning Man was—and still is—one of the most beautiful and transformative parts of that journey. A place where self-expression, art, connection, and radical presence collide in the most unforgettable ways. I still attend to this day, and it continues to inspire me in both my personal and professional life.

That era taught me a lot—but freedom, as intoxicating as it was, came with distractions. I lost focus at times and leaned on habits that didn’t always serve me. It took a few hard lessons and some real reflection to realize I needed change. I returned home with someone I loved, trying to plant roots and rebuild. It wasn’t easy. But the moment I found myself back in a piercing studio, something clicked. I felt aligned again. Purposeful. Centered. I made the choice to let go of what no longer served me—and that shift opened up a whole new chapter.

The struggles shaped me. They gave me compassion, depth, and a deep understanding of what it means to truly heal. Just like every piercing I do—there’s discomfort, there’s growth, and with care, there’s beauty on the other side.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a professional body piercer—but what I do goes far beyond the needle. I create intentional, safe, and meaningful experiences through the art of body piercing. I specialize in high-quality, anatomy-specific piercings, with a deep respect for precision, placement, and healing. My work blends technical skill with emotional presence—every client interaction is rooted in care, communication, and connection.

I’m most proud of the space I’ve built at Symbiosis Body Piercing—a studio where people feel seen, heard, and honored. I’ve spent years studying this craft, not just behind the scenes, but on the road—learning from seasoned industry professionals, attending the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) conference, and seeking out mentors who have shaped the standards of our field. Their influence, paired with my own lived experiences, has helped me build a practice rooted in integrity, empathy, and continued growth.

What sets me apart is the energy I bring into the room. Clients often say they feel immediately at ease with me, and I take pride in that. Whether it’s a first piercing or a full curation, I offer my full attention—every detail matters. I’m a one-person operation by choice, because I value being hands-on in every aspect of the experience. That intimacy, that intention, is what keeps people coming back—and what makes this more than just a job for me. It’s a calling.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor is about more than just seeking guidance—it’s about building a relationship rooted in mutual respect, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. My advice is to lead with humility. Show up with open hands and an open heart. The right mentor will see your hunger to grow, but you have to be willing to listen more than you speak, to do the work without shortcuts, and to honor the knowledge that’s being passed down.

For me, what’s worked well is being present in the spaces where my industry gathers. Attending the APP conference has been one of the most powerful tools for networking and professional development. It’s not just about the classes—it’s about the conversations in hallways, the quiet moments between sessions, the chance to connect with people I’ve admired from afar. I’ve also made it a point to travel and shadow piercers whose work I respect deeply. Being in their studios, observing how they move, listening to how they speak to clients—it’s all part of learning.

But above all, be yourself. Authenticity draws people in. Don’t force connections—nurture them. When you approach this industry with sincerity and respect, the right people find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.symbiosisbodypiercing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symbiosisbodypiercing?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/pYeF32gh5j

Image Credits
Lauren MacLellan