I am excited to bring you a blog post by a guest author for the very first time!! I was so interested upon hearing this perspective in a conversation that I immediately asked my friend Frances to write an article explaining it. To me it represents a very middle of the road and sensible approach to this issue. Enjoy!
As long as I can remember I was always infatuated with tattoos. I come from an Irish Catholic family on the South Side of Chicago and my grandparents were both straight off the boat, Conservative Irish Catholics. My Grandmother told me when I was a little girl ( I have no idea how old I was and in fact honestly have no recollection of this) I said very matter of factly “Grandma, I’m going to get a tattoo.” She was so upset she cried in her thick Irish accent: “I’ll tattoo your arse!”
Despite Grandma’s discouragement, I started getting tattoos as soon as I entered middle school. The first one was done by letting a friend give me a “pick and poke” tattoo. All my earliest tattoos were terrible. I was happy with them because it was what I always wanted and I didn’t know how bad they were until I started to see really good ones.
Before 18 I had about 5 tattoos in very visible places. Thankfully I enrolled in cosmetology school at the age of 17 so I was in the safe zone as far as future employers.
I was asked to write a blog on a conversation a friend and I had on my tattoos and how I still appreciate the art but I think it’s so important to have a career lined up before getting them (especially as visible as mine are).
Early in my career I noticed how I was constantly judged by mainly the older clientele. To a certain extent I would lose their respect before I was able to introduce myself to them and shake their hand to show them back to my chair. Many of them would tell me how pretty I am and they don’t understand why I would ruin my body, after all I’d be so much prettier without all those things. I didn’t care what anyone thought of me until I decided being behind the chair working in someone else’s salon wasn’t good enough for me, it wasn’t enough, and I wanted more. I knew in order for the most successful people to respect me upon first impression I’d have to tone it down a bit. How could I do this? By now I’m almost 30 I’m covered, and I even have 2 face tattoos. Fortunately, by this time tattoos had caught up culture wise. Everyone told me and continues to tell me I wear them so well though and they’re so accepted within my industry. It almost makes you appear more creative some would argue. However, from the negative feedback I received from my family and clients early on (before I made a name for myself) I struggled with a lot of self limiting beliefs. I have come to a place in my life now where I’ve built an empire (barbershop of my own and a hell of a reputation). To this day even as me being owner of such a succeshop, I get judgement. But I don’t let it bother me like it used to early on in my career, feeling judged and uncomfortable in my own skin.
While speaking to a girl friend on tattoos and the importance of having a solid career before making such a decision, I was asked to share what we touched on. As we all know, tattoos have gone from being taboo, especially with women, to it being a modern trend and appreciated art (by some). Even with the changes in time and culture, if you don’t have a career you’re sure of, I would not recommend making such a decision. My tattoos have limited me early on in my career (as a barber/hairstylist). I was denied management opportunities. After being hired my boss told me the owner didn’t want to hire me based on my profile picture and the amount of tattoos I had. She pushed for me to get hired on and, to their surprise, I was their top performer in sales in the nation.
Long story short, though I held top 5 in sales consistently in the nation, my employer refused to promote me due to my tattoos. I wasn’t allowed to wear shorts like the other girls ever though we live in Florida and in the very beginning they made me wear long sleeves.
I’ve come a long way. These days my tattoos may turn a head or two and I get an occasional sneer, but as far as my career and advancing in life, I don’t believe they’re an issue due to my reputation today. I’m still in the process of removing my faces tattoos as I have simply outgrown them and I feel it takes away from my natural beauty.
If you’re interested in tattoos I recommend figuring out a solid career and being sure you want that career and that they accept tattoos. Then, by all means go for it. Otherwise you’ll be regretting it and may find yourself limited to options in your career choices.
Editor’s Note: To look her up & take advantage of her barbering skills, check her out here! Thanks for your post, Frances! 💗🙏🏻
Notes From Real Life 