Today we’d like to introduce you to Brick Lee.
Hi Brick, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have been a professional tattoo artist for 20 years. I served in the Marine Corps right out of high school, and after getting out of the military I returned to the trade taught to me by my father. I worked as a plumber as I learned how to tattoo. I spent years working late nights in walk-in tattoo shops, learning the ropes, the styles, the equipment, and the sterile procedures needed for a long healthy tattoo artist career. In my 30s, I had the opportunity to take some business education and soon felt equipped to open my own business. In 2019 I founded Inky Blinders Tattoo, with the help of my wife Heather, and my good friend Sean as an investor. We found success in promoting fundraising for our local volunteer fire department, and offering discounts to veterans, teachers, healthcare workers and first responders. In our years in business, we have hosted multiple award winning tattoo artists, and served thousands of tattoo collectors in the Dallas and surrounding areas.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a small business is a bit wild. There are some months that the outgoing bills quickly engulf the profit lines. We had been in business for 8 months when the covid lockdowns hit. That was scary. We were not only concerned about the building pandemic, but also we had to close for a few months due to safety and state regulations. During that time we were all afraid we would lose the business. But our great client base began to prepay for tattoos that could not be applied until it was safe to end the lockdowns. These folks saved Inky Blinders at that time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
my background as an artist is steeped in American traditional style tattoos. But the evolution of the industry has cause me to become a very proficient artist at several styles. At this time I most prefer black and gray art, with themes of faith and wildlife, also nature. The main thing that sets Inky Blinders apart is our warm vibe, and our ability to make a nervous client calm. We have a good time and we laugh a lot. We will take the extra time to make a great experience for the client.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I grew up homeschooled in a very conservative environment. I had little to no television exposure. I began playing musical instruments at a young age, and always thought I would be in a band when I grew up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @inkyblindersvtx
