If you would’ve told me 30 years ago, sitting in a cell, building tattoo machines out of scraps, that one day I’d be here, helping create something this real, this powerful… I don’t know if I would have believed you.
I always had a vision. Even when things felt impossible.
When I was in prison, I built my first machine from scratch. That’s how deep this runs for me. It wasn’t just about tattooing; it was survival. It was identity. It was a second chance at a life.
Today? I’ve got microscopes at every Skin Design studio. I’ve studied needle configurations like a jeweler
inspects diamonds. I’ve dissected every flaw, tracked every inconsistency, obsessed over quality in a way most people can’t even understand.
Because our work deserves better. Our artists and our clients deserve better.
Because it’s impossible for me not to take my work home with me. Impossible not to go to sleep thinking about how the machine hits, how the needle lays the ink, how every tiny detail, the speed, pressure, angle, can be the difference between a good tattoo and a great one.
Right Vision, Wrong Time
Thirteen years ago, I designed something that could change the way we tattoo. A new kind of tattoo needle—something that could change the game. Make our work more precise, safer, more efficient. I partnered with an engineer. Shared my idea. Watched him take notes, build prototypes.
Then I watched him disappear.
He ghosted me. Took the concept. Ran with it. To this day, I still see traces of my design in the tools we use across the industry, and no one even knows where it started.
There was a point where I almost gave up on this part of the dream. I’ve been burned. I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck while raising my daughters, even with decades in the game. I’ve fought through egos, setbacks, and betrayals. Not because I enjoy the fight, but because something in me refused to quit.
What I do as an entrepreneur and an artist—I wouldn’t always recommend it. This industry can be brutal. It’s long nights, weeks and even months away from your family, and sometimes, you catch yourself wondering if it’s all worth it. But something inside me always kept me moving forward.
And now I see why.
Because what we’re building with Merger? It’s not just about me. It’s not even just about tattooing.
It’s about giving the artists in this industry what they deserve: Ownership. Equity. Security.
It’s about rewriting the narrative.
That vision I had back in 2012 wasn’t ready yet. I wasn’t ready yet. Because it’s not something you can pull off alone. You need a team. You need passion. You need engineers, artists, business minds, all aligned with the same purpose.
Even with only 7% kidney function, Big Sleeps traveled to show up to our Merger Ink meeting. We all know how important this is. This isn’t just business. This is a movement.
For a long time after they took my design, I thought that was it. That dream was done.
But God reminded me that it’s not up to my timeline; it’s His.
Sometimes, what feels like the end is just God saying: “Not yet.”
It’s surreal. I’m seeing it all come to life with Merger Ink. With the tattoo needles we developed. The right timing. The right foundation.
A chance to finish what I started—and this time, do it the right way.
And now, I look around and see it happening—not just in my life, but in the lives of the artists walking through our doors. It hits me, everyday at the studio: It’s about them.
Seeing It Full Circle
The same way I used to obsess over machines, study needles under a microscope, tattoo until my back gave out—these young artists today? They’ve got that same drive, that spark.It keeps me motivated, focused. Makes me push that much harder to help them succeed.
We’re living in crazy times. People feel unsafe, unstable.
Shops all over the world are shutting down. Artists and studios are struggling—when people don’t know if they’re going to make their rent, how are they going to afford the luxuries?
Our industry is more competitive than ever. Social media has given people unlimited access to the best artists, right at their fingertips.
But despite all of that, our SDT Vegas studio has been so alive. All of our studios are growing, and the culture in our team has never felt so strong.
We’re so busy we’re building new workspaces inside the shop just to keep up.Apprentices are flying in from all over. So many young artists, hungry to learn not just the craft, but the mindset. The discipline. The why behind it all.
I see myself in them. I see my oldest daughter, Reena, already making a name of her own as an artist. My daughter Reesa pho, graduating high school early to pour herself into tattooing—taking over my booth in the Honolulu studio now that I’m a resident artist in Las Vegas.
I see the same ambition in so many Skin Design artists—both in our apprentices and veterans.
And I can’t turn away from that.
I’m Not Done Yet—Because They’re Just Getting Started
I’m still in the thick of it. Still grinding. Still learning. I don’t have all the answers.
I’m a student, too. Everyday.
Every time I sit down with one of our new apprentices, every time I watch one of my daughters step into the booth with confidence, every time I hear a young artist tell me that they’re grateful to be here—I’m reminded:
This is what it’s all for.
Merger Ink. The new needle. The aftercare line. The new Skin Design OC shop we’ve waited years for. The SDT mentorship, the company meetings, the long days.
It’s for the future.
For the next generation.
The Weight of Building Something Real
It’s such a blessing to be juggling so much right now.
New locations. New projects. Growing teams. New leadership. New layers of responsibility.
Even conversations with my wife about whether she’ll come stay in Vegas, help hold it down while I’m here pushing myself for all of us.
And still finding time to tattoo, lead, mentor, and show up as a father, a husband, a son.
There are days where it almost feels too good to be true. Days when I wonder if I can keep it all together. If I can stretch myself far enough to be who I need to be for everyone who’s counting on me.
But everyday, I’m reminded that I’m a part of something bigger than myself. And it makes it all feel manageable. When you’re walking in purpose, you’re never carrying the weight alone.
Signs Along the Way
The people coming into my life right now—it’s not random.
They’re here for a reason. Just like I’m here for a reason.
God is putting them in my path. Placing them in this moment with me. Aligning our timelines. Reminding me that this journey isn’t just mine to walk; it’s mine to guide others through.
That’s why I keep my head down. That’s why I move quiet. Even now, with all this growth, I’m not letting my guard down.
Because when you’ve had everything taken from you once, you learn to protect what you’re building.
You stay humble. You stay ready. You remember that success is fragile and legacy is earned.
It’s a lot. But I know I’m being led.
I’ve said it before—it’s not on my time. It’s on God’s.
And lately? The signs have been clear. The people I’m attracting. The opportunities unfolding. The energy in our spaces.
It’s all part of something bigger.
And I trust it.
Building Something That Lasts
This isn’t about having your name on the wall or being the best in the room.
This is about impact.
About leaving something behind that matters.
For the next generation.
For the industry that gave me a new lease on life.
For every artist with a dream and nowhere to go.
Merger Ink isn’t just a brand. It’s a blueprint.
And me? I’m just doing my part. Staying grounded. Staying present. Staying grateful.
Because I know I didn’t get here alone—and I know I won’t finish it alone either.
That’s what it’s all about, who it’s all for. For the ones coming up.
FAQ's
Which needle is best for a tattoo?
The best tattoo needle depends on the type of tattoo you’re getting. For fine lines and details, a round liner needle is ideal. For shading and filling, round shader or magnum needles are preferred because they allow for smooth gradients and dense color. The needle size also matters: smaller sizes (like 3 or 5) are good for details, while larger sizes (like 9 or 11) are better for shading and coloring large areas.
How painful is a tattoo needle?
Tattoo pain varies by individual and the area of the body being tattooed. The needle punctures the skin repeatedly, which can cause discomfort or pain. Generally, areas with more flesh, like the upper arm or thigh, tend to be less painful, while bony areas, like the ribs or ankles, can be more painful. The pain also depends on your pain tolerance and the tattoo’s duration.
Can a tattoo needle hit a vein?
Tattoo needles are designed to penetrate the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and reach the dermis, the layer just below the surface. While a tattoo needle is unlikely to hit a vein, if it’s not used carefully, it could cause bruising or irritation around blood vessels. Tattoo artists are trained to avoid veins and other sensitive areas to prevent injury and ensure the tattooing process is safe.