Looking Back at My Journey: Lessons Learned at 53
That’s a lot of time to reflect on, to look back at the choices I’ve made in my life, the paths I’ve crossed, where this journey has taken me so far — where I’m going.
For me, birthdays aren’t this big, celebratory event. I don’t host a big party; I don’t go out of my way to get everyone’s attention spotlighted on me. Usually, the people around me don’t even know it’s my birthday. Aside from this year, I would go in and work, just like I would any other day.
Each year, I find myself spending the day looking back on the chapters of my life, flipping through the pages of my story, and wondering what the next year will bring.
I ask myself, “What lessons will 53 teach me?”
Missed Milestones, Second Chances: Balancing Past and Present
This year’s birthday was a little different for me. I took the day off and spent some time with my wife and my youngest daughter, Vanna.
Even though I took the day off, I was surrounded by so much love from my friends, family, and SDT studios.
It was so touching how the SDT team took the time to celebrate with me. I’m so blessed to have such an inspiring team of artists — every single one of them going out of their way to lift up and celebrate others in the industry.
SDT is my extended family, the reason behind our success as a brand, and the best part of what I do as an artist.
SDT SoHo celebrating over Zoom
Hearing from them meant the world to me, a powerful reminder of why I’ve poured everything I have into Skin Design.
But what truly motivates me? Every single member of SDT, who shows up day in and day out, working towards a shared legacy. For over three decades, that has been one of my greatest gifts.
It’s because of them that I can look back at everything, all the challenges, sleepless nights, and time spent away from my children, and know it’s all worth it.
Having so much love from the SDT family while getting to spend time with Vanna felt almost surreal.
Time with my daughter is a rare luxury for me, but something I can’t help but wonder if I should invest in more heavily.
I’ve spent the past decades of my life grinding, growing through my art, establishing the SDT brand, and turning it into a legacy for my children and the next generation of artists to inherit.
I’ve always had this sense of urgency, like I don’t have enough time to accomplish all of the things I was sent to this Earth to achieve.
That feeling only gets stronger as the years pass by. But at the same time, I’m starting to wonder if there’s enough time to commit myself to every project while also being an active part of Vanna’s childhood. Having her later in life, I’ve always known I wouldn’t get as much time with her.
As an entrepreneur and artist, I wasn’t able to be as involved in my oldest daughters’ daily lives as I wish I could have been. There will always be memories and milestones lost.
But I knew that was just the price of securing their future, making sure they could enter into an industry that was sustainable for them.
Reesa and Reena are so close in age —I knew they always had each other. I also know that when they become parents themselves, they’ll thank me for the sacrifices I made for them. All of it — every day spent pushing in and out of the studio — has been for them.
And I’ve made up for lost time as they’ve matured into young women, mentoring them as they grow into artists of their own.
But with Vanna, things are different. She’s so much younger; she’s here when I’m at an entirely different stage of my life.
From Canvas to Legacy: Leaving More Than Ink
I’ll always love tattooing; it’s given me everything. I know that it’s something I’ll never quit. It’s on my skin, in my blood — it’s a part of me.
How could I ever stop when it’s so sacred to me? It helps me focus, connect with myself and my clients. Every time I pick up that needle, I’m reminded of who I am and why I’m here.
But, there’s a toll to it. It’s more than just the time spent away from family. The strain it takes on artists’ wrists, necks, backs — it really creeps up on you.
And there’s so much more I want to leave this Earth, even beyond the art. Countless projects demanding my attention. I need to carve out the time to dedicate myself fully to bringing these ideas to life.
There are so many upcoming artists I look forward to mentoring, the SDT tattoo academy, and collaborating with other artists to become a part of the supply chain — taking back our industry. So much to do in what feels like so little time.
For me, this last birthday was really eye opening. I look back at the steps I’ve taken to stand where I am now, and when I look at the empire SDT is still creating, I know that there is still so much work to do.
But I have to make sure that there’s a space for my family there, too. For the first time in my career, I have to make sure that my work-life coincides with my family life, that I’m there to watch Vanna grow up. It’s a new type of challenge for me.
Between the eight studios, being a leader to over 100 SDT team members, balancing the dynamics of a diversified team, and constantly opening new studios — sometimes it feels like there just aren’t enough hours in a day, not enough days in a year, to account for it.
But when I think about the man I used to be, it proves to me that I can continue to evolve into the best version of myself — father, artist, entrepreneur.
For my children. For the Skin Design family. And for the industry that’s made it all possible.
Anger to Art: Finding Purpose, Finding Myself
In my one lifetime, I feel like I’ve lived two separate lives.
There’s the Robert Pho I was before — the angry, vengeful, lost young man facing the possibility of a life sentence.
And then there’s the Robert Pho I’ve become. Redeemed. Renewed.
As I’ve grown, I’ve been given so many blessings. So many opportunities to find myself, to rediscover myself as a man I can be proud of when I look in the mirror.
I found art in tattooing — which gave me an outlet, a way to reconnect with my culture, and a way to support myself without the destructive cycle of gang violence.
Tattooing gave me a second chance. A new lease on life.
Through tattooing, I found purpose. I owe so much of this to my wife Cristina, for seeing the potential in me that I never could have seen in myself. She grounded me, supported me at my lowest, and helped shape me into the man I am today.
She gave me family. Justin, Reena, Reesa, and Vanna — they’re what pushed me to take my second chance on life and turn it into something greater than myself.
And I found God. Once I stopped pushing back on all the signs and ignoring His vision, God showed me what I’m meant for — why he’s saved me from the man I used to be.
Throughout my journey, I’ve become more spiritual. The universe has shown me what I’m destined to do — I just had to come to an age where I’d be willing to see what’s in front of me.
Being a Master #33, I know my life path. I’m here to lead others in the industry, to help them achieve their goals and leave our community stronger.
There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with that.
To me, leadership isn't just about influence; it's a duty to guide and uplift others. I’m here to use my knowledge and blessings to help others find their own voices, leave their own mark on the world.
That sense of urgency, it never subsides. This next year, I'm committed to finding new ways to give back to the people and industry that I love.
I'll continue to adapt, create, and break boundaries.
At 53, I may have lived two lives worth of experiences, but this is just the beginning. My story is still being written every day.
I hope that sharing a piece of it, the lifestyle I've overcome and the life that I've built for myself and my family in its place, can resonate with and inspire others.
Cheers to the next chapter, to fatherhood, to family, and to every lesson learned along the way.
Here’s to 53.
