Support Your Local Tattooer | Wild Stories, Wild Culture

Tattoo shop owners who treat their business like a lifestyle are losing clients to whoever learns the next trend first. 

In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, host Austin Spencer sits down with Nixx and Sabina Kelley, husband and wife entrepreneurs, creatives, and co-owners of Smiles and Cries in Las Vegas, for an unfiltered conversation about financial discipline, identity branding, and surviving major indus...

What separates a talented tattoo artist from a sustainable tattoo business?

In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, Austin Spencer sits down with Brett Rosepiler, Las Vegas tattoo artist, muralist, and co-owner of One Block Tattoo, for a conversation about originality, business ownership, artistic growth, and building something that lasts.

After spending more than a decade tattooing at Heritage Tattoo, Brett t...

What does it really take to build a tattoo shop with soul in the middle of downtown Las Vegas? 

In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, Austin Spencer sits down with Buddy (Holiday) Orr of Downtown Tattoo Las Vegas, joined by Charlie Spencer, for a wild, funny, and honest conversation about tattoo culture, Fremont Street, American traditional tattooing, shop ownership, sobriety, flash, old Vegas tattoo history, and what...

What happens when tattoo culture, old Vegas stories, stand-up comedy, and real shop talk all collide in one conversation? 

In this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer, Austin Spencer sits down with Jason Paxman of Bad Apple Tattoo and welcomes back Phil Luck for a wild, funny, and honest conversation about tattooing, comedy, community, social media, and how the industry has changed over the years. From street shop chaos and ...

Join us this month for an incredible conversation with Manny Fernandez (@mannysrevolution) as he takes us behind the scenes of high-stakes television, the precision of Japanese artistry, and the mental game required to stay at the top of the Vegas tattoo scene!

In this episode, Manny shares his unique creative process where he spends time creating multiple versions of a large-scale piece before he ever commits to the final p...

Join us this month for an incredible conversation with Phil Luck & J Swarm (@darthswarm / @philluckluckofficial) as they take a deep dive into the gritty history of the tattoo industry, the evolution of the "hustle," and why some things are better left off social media

Hear more from Phil, Swarm and host Austin Spencer (@austinsbrain) on this month’s episode of "Support Your Local Tattooer."

🔔 Make sure to ...

Join us this month for an incredible conversation with Bob Lackner (@bicycle_bobs_tat2) as he takes us on a journey through the open roads, high-stakes guest spots, and the sheer grit of a coast-to-coast tattoo adventure!

In this episode, Bob shares the mind-blowing story of his 40th birthday ride—a 3,940-mile trek from San Francisco to New York with nothing but his camping gear on his back. 🤯 Bob breaks down the ment...

Join host Austin Spencer (@austinsbrain) this month for an incredibly fun and insightful conversation with Megan Comfort (@meganthebanker/@nevadastatebank) and Matt Bontrager (@mattbontrager/ @truebookscpa) as they dive deep into the crucial financial and legal strategies every tattoo business owner needs to know.
This episode tackles the big questions around business structure, breaking down the benefits of setting up an LLC ve...

Join us this month for a mind-blowing conversation with returning guests Phil Luck (@phillucktattoo) and Eric Foemmel (@eric.foemmel) as they pull back the curtain on the truly lawless, legendary, and expensive history of tattooing!

This episode is packed with stories about the intimidating world of Philadelphia Eddie and other old-school legends. Phil and Eric detail the dark realities and the incredible grit it took to be ...

Join us this month for an incredibly fun and insightful conversation with Crocodile Jackson, a talented tattoo artist who shares his unique perspective on the art world and the importance of supporting your local tattooer.

This episode dives into the realities of working as a professional artist, and how your ability to pivot is the key to survival and success. Crocodile Jackson shares a powerful message about the under documented h...

Join us this month for an intense and incredibly insightful conversation with a tattoo artist who has truly seen it all, Gian Karle from Ink Master. This episode dives deep into the realities of tattooing all over the US, from the profound experience of touring to the simple joys of hanging out with friends on the road. 

Learn how tattooing isn't just about ink on skin; it's about the deep human connections forged throu...

Join host Austin Spencer this month for an intense and incredibly insightful conversation with a tattoo artist who has truly seen it all in the tattoo industry, Chance Gomez. This podcast episode dives deep into the realities of tattooing, from alarming encounters with a man bringing a gun into the shop and intimidating bike club members, to the profound experience of tattooing someone who challenges initial judgments. Discover the...

Join host Austin Spencer as he sits down with the legendary Russ Abbott for a deep dive into the tattoo industry's fascinating evolution. Russ pulls back the curtain on everything from market shifts like microbladers taking on tiny tattoos to the gritty realities of early apprenticeships. 

Discover how Russ navigated the business of tattooing from a simple "Now Available Tattoos" sign to mastering income splits, and hear hilari...

Think tattooing in Las Vegas is all glam? Think again. We're pulling back the curtain on the wild, often messy, truth of being a tattoo artist in Sin City. If you're an apprentice, or tattoo artist, you won't want to miss this raw look at what it really takes to make it in the Vegas tattoo scene.

📍Studio 21 Tattoo- Las Vegas, NV 


👤 Keep up with us: 
Host- Austin Spencer: @austinsbrain    L...

From tiki to skulls to... well, you know! 😉 Mike Biggs dives into the surprising success of some truly unexpected tattoo combinations he encountered while working in Vegas. Plus, get ready to laugh as he recounts the strange and unusual rules his manager had back in the pre-iPad era! 😂 Trust us, you won't believe some of these stories!

📍 Las Vegas, NV 


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Host- Austin Spencer: @au...

Get ready for the incredible Clark North! This episode showcases why he's truly an amazing man, sharing jaw-dropping stories that will leave you stunned & his fascinating beginnings of becoming a tattoo artist. Clark North holds nothing back, delivering raw truths and unforgettable tales. Prepare to be shocked, entertained, and inspired by this truly remarkable individual who has had an amazing story! 

📍 Las Vegas,...

Dive into a massive episode packed with tattoo industry insights! We're tackling everything from the rise of AI in tattooing – is it the future, or a recipe for disaster? – to the wild behind-the-scenes stories of tattoo TV shows like Ink Master. Noelin Wheeler (@noelinwheeler) spills the tea on crazy experiences and what it's really like to be on TV. Plus, we take a moment to reflect on the importance of finding happin...

Ever wondered about the realities of a tattoo apprenticeship? We sit down with Las Vegas tattoo artist Jeffrey Bowser (@jckbtattoos) to discuss the challenges, the triumphs, and the invaluable lessons learned in the tattoo world. From getting paid during your apprenticeship to navigating unexpected hurdles, Jeffrey shares his wisdom and experience.

📍 Location: @heritagetattoolv


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Host- ...

Join us in this episode of Support Your Local Tattooer as we dive into the story of Anthony Elliott II! From line drawing flash when he was younger to tattooing his own father, Anthony’s journey is a testament to creativity, passion, and legacy. 🌟 

Hear about the lessons he's learned along the way, and how he’s carrying on a tradition in the tattoo world. 🔥 Tune in for an unforgettable conversation filled ...