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“It’s no problem, bro. I’m glad you like it.” I cleaned up my mess and switched out my supplies to get prepared for the next client. I had been working in Jah’Shun’s shop for a while, and my clientele had grown exponentially over the years; I was grateful to everyone who trusted me to bring their vision to life.

Roddy and I shook hands after he paid the remaining balance on his tattoo. I cared about my clients, but I didn’t play about my money. Every customer was mandated to pay a 15% deposit to book with me, and the rest was due the day of their appointment.

“What’s up, youngin? I see you were up early this morning putting in that work.” Jah greeted me as he stepped towards the counter.

“You know it. If the money is callin’, I’ma answer.”

“That’s the way to be. Hell, it’s obviously paying off because your books are almost as full as mine. I might have to hire another artist in here to handle the walk-ins because neither of us has enough space to take on anything extra.”

I thought about what he was saying, and I agreed. When I first started, I took on every walk-in I could to earn money and build my clientele, and now I was booked almost two months out.

“Yeah, it wouldn’t be a bad idea. I actually have someone in mind. I can show you their work whenever you have the time.”

“You got it right now? I have a few minutes before my next client comes in.”

“Yeah. I have their work on my phone; I can show you.” I was eager to show him because it was my cousin Draike’s work. He did tattoos from his dad’s basement, but his talent was undeniable. I had been telling him to look into working in a shop, but he was hesitant.

I followed Jah’Shun into his office, admiring photos of his previous tattoos and the awards he’d won over the years. He had a host of celebrity clients, but it never changed how he operated his business. Jah’Shun wasn’t one of those artists who jacked up his prices once he started to gain attention. In fact, he often ran deals to make his prices more affordable for everyone.

Ink’d Out was one of the most popular shops around, but Jah was humble. It was something I respected and admired about him. No matter how many times his work went viral, he still came in every day and clocked in as if nothing had happened.

I pulled up Draike’s IG page to show Jah his work. I also showed him the images Draike refused to post online. We’ve always loved drawing and creating, so he always sent me sketches and ideas he came up with but was too afraid to show the world. I loved doing tattoos, but I had more than one passion.

I had been writing songs and rapping for years, but like Draike, I was too afraid to fully go after my dreams. I had a YouTube channel where I sang and rapped covers of some of my favorite songs, but I kept my face hidden. My channel had over thirty thousand followers, and I was considering introducing some of my music to them, but I hadn’t yet.

“They are talented for sure. I would love to sit down and chop it up with him to see if he would be interested in a position at the shop. Are they licensed?”

That was the question I had been dreading. Draike had way more talent than me, but he learned everything through hands-on practice. I told him he should consider going to school to get licensed, but he didn’t see the point since his clientele never seemed to mind. We talked a lot about the benefits of going to school and the risks of being unlicensed, but he still hadn’t made the move.

“I’m gonna assume based on the look on his face that he isn’t. You already know I can’t have anyone in my shop without a certification, but I would still like to set up a meeting with him. His talent is too raw to go to waste, and maybe I can convince him to look into schooling. Hell, I’m certified to train people, so the opportunity is there if he wants it,” Jah offered.

I nodded excitedly because I knew Draike would be happy to hear that Jah loved his work. He was the one who put me onto Jah when I first decided to find a shop.

“He’s actually my cousin, and I’ve been telling him to get licensed. Maybe if someone on your level tells him, he’ll finally listen. His work is incredible, and I know he could really make a name for himself with the right people behind him.”

“From what you’ve shown me, I have to agree. His attention to detail, combined with his coloring and shading skills, is next level. I wasn’t even this good when I first started out. Let him know I would like to sit down with him. We need more talented black artists in this industry, and he’s missing out on some major opportunities by not being licensed.”

“I got you. We’re linking up tonight, and I’ll let him know. Thank you for taking the time to check him out. I appreciate it.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I trust your judgment, and it was obviously spot on. If you scope any more talent, come let me know. I’ve been thinking about opening another shop, and I’m gonna need more dope artists to work there, too. Benet has been on my ass about taking more time off and allowing more artists in, and I think she’s right. There’s plenty of talent out there. Plus, I could use the break. When I first opened this place, I would be in here from sun up to sundown, but it’s time for me to take a step back.” Jah expressed.

“I feel you. This place is packed with customers every day. I think a second location would benefit everyone, and it would open up opportunities for more artists to get the exposure they need. Plus, you’ll be able to close your books and delegate more work to us.”

I loved working, and since I didn’t have a family who needed my attention, I could spend more time at the shop.

“Yeah, I’ve been looking at properties, but now you’ve given me something to think about. I get a lot of inquiries from artists, but I don’t have the space for them here. Maybe I could host a competition and offer a spot to the top three winners or something like that.” Jah stroked his beard, and I could tell he was deep in thought.

“I like where your mind is going. We always have to travel out of state for those competitions. It would be dope as hell to have something like that right in our hometown.” I added.

Jah had taken me to a handful of competitions over the years, and they were always dope as hell. A room for hungry creators trying to showcase their talents. Every time I attended one, I came home more motivated.

“Let me talk things over with my wife and see where we could host the event. The more I think about it, the more ideas I get. I appreciate you, foreal. I know I tell you often, but I’m proud of you. When you came here, you were a little rough around the edges, but your growth is evident, and your clients are constantly singing your praises. You are a major part of why Ink’d Out is doing so well.”

Jah wasn’t a big talker, so when he did speak, I made sure to listen. When I first came to his shop, I didn’t have any direction in life. My mom was locked up; I was living with my big sister and her husband, and all of my friends were running the streets or locked up. The streets were all I knew, but I didn’t want it to be a part of my future. When my best friend went off to college, I started to feel like I had missed my window to make something of myself.

My life felt stagnant, and I couldn’t figure out why. I had my own place and car, and my money was in order, but I felt empty. I didn’t have some grandiose plan for the future. To be honest, I was happy with the fact that I had even made it as far as I had. As a youngin, I thought for sure I would be dead before I made it to my nineteenth birthday, so I was grateful for every day that I woke up and was able to live another day.

“I appreciate you for giving me a shot, big dawg.”