Fortune Tattoo opened on April 1, 2010
After working for other people, running their shops, managing their shop affairs and or just being one of the tattooers on someone else's crew for over twenty years. I decided to take my own plunge into shop ownership.
This Grand Experiment.
I had held out becoming a shop owner mostly because I was not ready for the commitment of settling down in one spot and or being “the owner.” Having someone else to defer to being “the bad guy” was always easier when having to make executive decisions. I had been hesitant taking on the responsibility for making sure artists working with me had work, were fed and kept busy. The idea of taking on all the risk had been too scary of an idea to even consider. It was hard enough to keep myself afloat. I wasn’t sure if I could share my umbrella with others and help them find their own way. For most of my career I had celebrated the freedom to come and go without the responsibilities that are attached to owning a shop. I wasn’t sure if I could give that freedom up to test this experiment of owning my own tattoo shop and it being a success for myself ,as well as for those who came to work with me.
In my search to find the perfect city, space, spot, location.
I didn’t want to open up on an already established tattooer or their shop.
The common practice when I was coming up, was not to open up within ten to fifty miles of another shop.
Out of respect for the delicate balance of potential tattoo clients available during that time.
We had to keep the balance of each town and city viable.
Times are certainly different now.
When I finally decided it was time to let some roots grow; learn what grounding meant; take my own spin on the hamster wheel of churning artist turnovers. I took the plunge in 2010.
I never thought I would end up back in the North West. Much less Portland, where my tattoo journey first began.
A city that supports over three hundred fifty shops currently in this one county alone. Many are with in a stone’s throw of Fortune. I squeezed back into this city myself. Trying really hard to not be right on top of someone else. I used to know everyone and the works they were doing. That’s not the case these days.
Best thing I have witnessed, here and across the globe, are the ladies of this profession are definitely not being under estimated anymore.So, for you folks trying to find your way through all the many choices you have.
I know it has to be a daunting experience.
Take your time.
Meet your prospective artist in person. Study their works. Online and better yet, in person if possible.
Find someone you can live with wearing their artwork for the rest of your life.
Someone you connect to and feel confident in allowing them to do their best work on you.
Have fun with the process. Mark your moments.
Find someone that makes your experience magical.Fortune Tattoo is a propitious space in which to flourish, undergo personal transformation and make great tattoos. I am grateful to everyone that collectively participated in making Fortune Tattoo become a reality.
- Ms. Mikki, owner/artist
Thank you, to all our clients over the years, for your referrals, loyal support, and your boundless, inspirational ideas.
FORTUNE TATTOO
1716 East Burnside, Portland, OR 97214
ph: 503-234-7071
Open Saturday through Tuesday (12pm - 8pm)