You can think you have a plan for your life. You can strategize, prepare, do everything “right.”
But, when it comes down to it, none of that matters if your plan doesn’t align with what the universe has in store for you. That’s just not how life works, not really. It’s never that simple—and it’s never just up to you.
God will take one look at your plan and remind you who’s really in charge. And when He does, it can feel overwhelming. Humbling. Like you’re in the passenger seat of your own life.
But when you let go? When you trust the process? That’s when things start to unfold the way they’re supposed to. That’s when you start to see clearly what’s been in front of you all along—and why it’s so important.
Closing One Chapter, Planting Seeds for the Next
Coming out of 2024 has been a whirlwind. Nothing’s gone as expected—even though I did everything in my power to set things in motion a certain way.
We had to move out of our family home, a place I thought my wife and I would grow old in. A place we thought we could one day leave to our daughters.
Leaving behind the trees we planted as saplings—it felt like a metaphor. Like the end of an era. They were planted around a year before we brought Vanna home from the hospital where she was born. They grew up with her.
It brings me comfort to know that whoever moves in after us has a piece of our family, a symbol of the roots we planted. That we created something that will continue to grow, even without us. That we left our mark in a way, gave back to the island that means so much to us.
After everything, I love our new Honolulu house—but it’s still a process turning it into a home.
I remind myself daily that what really matters are the memories we made, that they’re something we can take with us wherever life takes us. That the real definition of home is wherever our family is.
God has given us so much with our new lives in our new home. He reminds us, even as everything changes, that each new chapter brings new blessings.
But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been hard adapting to everything. Especially when it creates distance between myself and the people I care about.
Starting Over, Staying Grounded
I’ve had to lay low this year so far. Had to take time off of social media, away from blogs—a way that I share my life, my stories, and the lessons I learn along the way with the people who support me. It hasn’t been easy.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve taken time off of work. Between the projects I have in the works—so many I can’t wait to announce and share with the world—and my upcoming book, it had to be done. I was sharing too much, it was putting my other projects at risk.
I’m so grateful to be back. I love this community, and I can’t wait to keep giving back to it. It’s what drives everything I do, even if it’s sometimes behind the scenes.
For now, that means taking time away from the island—something I swore I wouldn’t do this year. But, it’s not up to me. Just like everything else, it’s up to God.
I have obligations, people who depend on me in Vegas—both in and out of the studio. As we get older, sometimes we have to take care of the people who took care of us, who raised us to be strong enough to handle it all.
It’s one of those full circle moments, taking care of my mom. One of those moments that makes you realize that God has a direction for your life, that you’re supposed to be fulfilling responsibilities He set out for you. He’ll show you what’s right—and when He does, you know you have no other choice.
When I told myself I’d hunker down in Honolulu, protect myself, my peace, my family—away from the mainland—I didn’t account for the things I couldn’t see. I saw the signs that this year would be difficult and I thought I could avoid those hardships by just staying put.
But one thing I know firsthand is that turning a blind eye to your problems doesn’t stop them from happening.
Weathering the Storm: How 2024 Changed the Game
2024 was the worst year for SDT—both as individual artists and as a company as a whole. With the economy taking a hit, shops and artists called it a “tattoo recession.”
Tattoo shops were closing their doors; artists went to private studios as they dropped their rates at their all-time low to survive—some even had to get a second job. People all over were losing their jobs, too, not spending money on luxuries like tattoos and art—all while the nation was in political divide.
The Fallout—and the Faith That Followed
As the world was going through economic battles, Skin Design also had to navigate through trials of our own.
Having watched our partner company go through the worst mass exodus, it wasn’t long until it trickled down to Skin Design, too. Having lost so many artists & co-workers—some we considered family—there was a weird feeling throughout our studios. A different energy.
One thing last year taught me, after everything, was that the people that stayed were meant to stay; those that left were not a match for us and were meant to leave all along.
I come from a strong line of believers in the astrology and numerology world. Some say it’s superstition, while others use it as a “cheat code.” In my case, I knew 2025 was going to be a challenge; I knew I needed to prepare myself.
My plan was to stay in Hawaii, not travel and lay low. God changed all of that, reminding me this is His plan and not mine when I got called to go to Vegas in April for a few weeks to help make an impact on my company and the family that needed me.
My Body Gave Out—My Spirit Didn’t
It’s four months into the year, and so much has already happened. So much beyond my control—but I’m starting to understand the why behind it all.
Last year was one of the most trying. It’s like the universe was trying to break me—but I know now that it was so I could be rebuilt stronger.
At the start of 2025, I could feel my body caving, finally giving in under the weight of it all. Most people couldn’t handle what I do—running multiple studios across the nation, balancing the personalities of so many different teams, mentoring artists of the next generation, tattooing clients of my own—all while taking care of my family.
It’s a lot.
It takes a toll on you. It’ll wear down your back, your wrists, your eyes. But, for me, it was more than that.
Back in January, I ended up being on seven different medications, seeing doctors more frequently than ever. My recurring migraines progressed into vertigo. My cholesterol doubled. My blood pressure skyrocketed. I was in the process of getting surgery on my back.
But I had an awakening. There are so many things in life out of our control—but it’s up to us to manage what we can.
I decided to completely change my diet and lifestyle. I went from taking handfuls of meds daily, including Excedrin every day for years, to a single pill each day. Now, my migraines are gone, completely.
My doctors and neurologists are in awe at the transformation. But what I really learned?
I was causing all that pain to myself. Once I opened my eyes, I realized I could cure myself, too.
I realized I needed to take care of myself, physically and emotionally. I had to give up all the good foods I loved, but I traded them in for what really matters: more time on this Earth with my family.
Trading Comfort for Purpose
Now, in the beginning of May, I’m so much lighter. Not just physically from the lifestyle change, but spiritually, too.
God gave me the time I needed to recover in Hawaii—and now it’s back to the grind, harder than ever. I’m trading in my flip flops, island views, and closeness to my family for the city of lights.
More than that, though, I’ll be sacrificing time with my family. It hurts me knowing I’ll be away from my wife, from Vanna—missing those beautiful, everyday moments as she grows up back on the island.
I have to remind myself that I’m doing it all for them. They inspire me everyday, give me purpose.
But I’m needed in Vegas. And even if it’s a challenge, spending so much time away from my wife and daughters, I know that I’m built for it. I’m not going to stand in my own way, to hold myself back out of fear or “what ifs.”
I’m going to keep elevating myself, the people around me, and taking care of what needs to be done.
And even if it wasn’t my plan, I know that it’s time. I’m being called to the city that never sleeps—a place for me to focus day and night on the people who need me, to rebuild, and come back stronger.
New Studios, New Strength, Same Mission
We’ll be opening up three new, landmark studios this year—all simultaneously—Nashville, SoHo, and Hawaii. Another first for us. I know that I have a long journey ahead.
After we waited 2.5 years, our Moana building permits finally got approved; Nashville is getting ready to build; and another New York location is underway. It’s time to hustle again. This time harder than ever.
God is pushing me. He knows my limits, but He also knows what I’m capable of.
But only after I fixed my health first. It was as if God was speaking to me, telling me to open my eyes and clear my mind to what He wanted, even when my plan was to stay home and not travel. He showed me that I need to use this time to fix myself.
Had I not known I was facing so many health problems, I would have kept traveling for work; I wouldn’t be doing what I do best every month—seeing 3-4 different time zones, no stopping, no breaks.
He had already helped me dodge a major bullet with the capital groups who I almost sold to and partnered with—almost costing me everything.
This would have been the year I would have signed the contract, signing over not just my company, but a piece of my soul, my legacy.
Reflecting, I realized that staying home in Hawaii, not traveling, and keeping a low profile is not what I wanted. That’s not in my nature. It’s what I thought I needed based on the cheat codes I thought I’d been shown. I was wrong.
My mom needs me. Even though she will never admit it to me, as her son—I know.
It’s my duty and calling as her son to be there for her, even if it means leaving my family in Hawaii to care for her. It’s the least I can do to give back. She gave me life, helped shape the man I am today.
I lost my dad during my enemy year in 2004. I have to prepare myself for the worst this year, too.
We have to embrace our fears to one day losing our loved ones. It’s a part of life; we can’t outrun it. We pass through here in our shell but our spirit is who we are.
Back to Vegas—the city that never sleeps
We have to know our spirit, who we are, our purpose, our life path. We have to connect with God to find out.
I’ve been blessed by God so many times. He’s given me so much strength in the past to endure so many hardships, each one teaching me a lesson I needed to learn, lessons I continue to pass along to my daughters, my apprentices,and my community.
He’s taught me when to let go—and when to go all in.
This is one of those moments.
I have no doubt that these 2024 setbacks were all just setups for a comeback. And this time with my health better than ever, God have mercy on my enemies.
Let’s gooooooo.
