Journey of Resilience and Triumph
Early Struggles and Resilience
Born in the shadow of conflict in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 1972, Robert Pho’s life began amidst turmoil. His family fled the Khmer Rouge, finding refuge in France. This marked the beginning of a life built on adaptation and survival. Over eight years, the Phos carved out a life in France, with young Robert steeping himself in the culture and language that would form one of his many linguistic pillars.
Chasing the American Dream
The lure of a more promising future pulled the Pho family across the ocean once more, this time to the United States. Their American Dream began with the English Second Language courses that would open new doors. Robert’s foray into business began early, kneading dough in his family’s donut shop at thirteen. Yet alongside early lessons in entrepreneurship came darker experiences of bullying and prejudice that would shape his troubled teenage years.
Turbulent Times
Southern California’s gang culture drew Robert in, leading to a spiral of violence that culminated in a 14-year sentence at the tender age of seventeen. Behind bars, a silver lining appeared in the form of a tattoo needle. What started as a pastime blossomed into a lifelong passion, as Robert discovered his innate talent for ink.
Redemption and Reinvention
Upon release, Robert turned to honest work — telemarketing, real estate, sales. Tattooing remained a sideline pursuit until a fateful decision to move to North Carolina shifted his destiny. There, Robert found himself co-owning Skin Design Tattoo, a pivotal step toward his eventual full ownership of the brand.
Loss, Triumph, and Expansion
Tragedy struck in 2004, when Robert’s father was robbed and murdered. This heartbreaking event pulled Robert back west, closer to his roots and into the bustling lights of Las Vegas. He turned his grief into motivation, propelling Skin Design Tattoo to new heights with multiple locations, including an iconic Las Vegas flagship.
East Coast Ventures and Beyond
An indomitable spirit drove expansion to Hawaii, the urban landscapes of New York, and back to California. Yet for Robert, it wasn’t enough to revolutionize just his domain — he broke new ground by offering client financing, a tattoo industry first.
Media Spotlight and Industry Recognition
2023 highlighted Robert’s increasing visibility. From LA Times, Fox LA to KTLA and OC Register features, Robert and Skin Design Tattoo became media favorites. The tattoo virtuoso then brought his expertise to the All Stars Tattoo Expo as a guest judge, further solidifying his status as an industry authority.
Innovations and International Footprint
By November 2023, Robert was at the forefront of comfort in tattooing, joining hands with a Beverly Hills doctor to provide anesthesia for tattoo sessions. His fame cemented by a front-page appearance in Tattoo Industry Magazine and a pioneering venture into Tokyo marked the beginning of an international saga.
Diversification and Milestones
In a strategic business maneuver, Skin Design Tattoo joined forces with Fernie Andrade and Big Sleeps hatched MergerInk in January 2024, stepping into manufacturing and supply chain management. That same year celebrated a decade at their Spring Mountain location in Las Vegas, a quarter-century of the Skin Design Tattoo brand, and 35 incredible years of Robert wielding the tattoo machine.
My Tattoo Collection
We asked Robert to name a few of the artists who have impacted and inspired him and his response was, “To mention just a few of the artists that have impacted my art (as well as my career) is a difficult one to do. With so many talented and truly inspirational artisans in the game, I’m sure that there are some I have failed to mention as well as many more.” That said, here’s a look at some of the artists that have influenced his career and please check back as the list continually expands.
Filip Leu | Paul Booth | Robert Hernandez | Jack Rudy | Freddy Negrete | Tom Renshaw | Bob Tyrell | Deano Cook | Cory Cudney | Mike Dorsey | Marcus Pacheco | Kore Flatmo | Tin-Tin | Shige | Anil Gupta | Cap Szumksi | Tony Olivas | Horiyoshi III | Grime | Adrian Lee | Aaron Cain | Nick Baxter | Mike Cole | Joe Capobianco | Jime Litwalk | Aaron Bell | Tim Hendricks | Aaron Della Vedova | Pint & Chuey | Nikko Hurtado | Mike Devries | Shane O’ Neil | Tommy & Mikey Montoya | Vince “Chente” Rios | Brian Gonzalez | Goethe | Carlos Torres | Fernie Andrade | Jose Lopez | Steve Soto | Alan Padilla | Rand Johnson | Boog | Jeff Gogue | Dawei Zhang | Monte | Stephane Chaudisaiges | Steve Moore | Megan Hoogland & Roman | Block | Spider | Adolf
Jack is a legend in the tattoo industry. He was the first tattoo artist to give me my very first professional tattoo after I was released from prison. I met Jack through Little John who at the time hosted a tattoo expo in North Carolina in 2003. I had looked up to Jack for years and have admired his incredible black-and-grey work and the style that he brought to the industry. After meeting Jack at the expo, I felt it was only right to ask him to do my first tattoo; he ended up doing some letters on the back of my neck that said “Times of Greatness”.