Inspiring ink: Angela
makes tattooing an
intimate experience
Angela Cerrato is a self-taught tattoo artist and entrepreneur in Houston, Texas, where she operates her studio, Purple Franchiise Ink. Balancing her college studies in forensic psychiatry with her passion for tattooing, Angela’s journey into the world of body art has been a personal one, she has always been fascinated with the intricacies of tattoo art and wanted to explore something outside of her academic path.
The Self-Taught Path to Tattooing
Angela’s interest began after observing her own tattoo artist, whose precision and professionalism sparked the initial inspiration. “Seeing her work so meticulously, I thought, 'This feels almost like a medical profession,' which deeply resonated with me.” Driven by her creative instincts, Angela began practicing her tattoo skills on fruits and synthetic skin, investing her own resources to develop her craft before moving to real clients. “I took six to seven months to practice, really wanting to be confident in my technique,” she recalls. Building her business from scratch required an intense dedication and a determination to offer something different. “In a world full of conventional beauty services, I wanted to create a unique space for people who, like me, are drawn to something a bit edgier,” Angela shares. Her work celebrates personal expression, where clients’ unique designs come to life as permanent reminders on their skin.
“Angela began practicing her tattoo skills on fruits and synthetic skin.”
Creating a comfortable client experience
As a home-based business, Angela has crafted a personalized experience for her clients, who often find comfort in her welcoming vibe. “People come to me because I make them feel at ease. It’s crucial to me that clients feel comfortable and secure, especially since tattooing is such an intimate experience,” she says. This may also explain why Angela has mostly female clients. Despite challenges like social anxiety, Angela’s natural ability to connect with clients has been key to her success, alongside the authenticity she brings to each session. This connection is further bolstered by her strategic use of social media, which has attracted clients from beyond Houston. Social media has been huge for her, allowing people all over the city and even from other places to discover her work.
“People come to me because I make them feel at ease ”
Managing Business and Studies with Vev
For Angela, managing her tattoo business alongside her studies wouldn’t be possible without Vev. As a full-time student, Angela finds Vev’s intuitive interface indispensable for organizing her appointments, tracking client details, and even accepting payments. “Vev is literally perfect for me as a college student. I can quickly pull up clients’ names, manage bookings, and handle payments all in one place,” she shares. Vev keeps Angela’s business organized, allowing her to focus on her art without getting bogged down by administrative tasks. “Thanks to Vev, I stay on top of everything, and my clients appreciate the smooth booking experience as much as I do,” Angela says, noting that Vev makes it easier for her to juggle both her academic and entrepreneurial responsibilities.
“With Vev I can quickly pull up clients’ names, manage bookings, and handle payments all in one place.”
Tap-to-Pay
One feature Angela absolutely loves about Vev is the seamless Tap-to-Pay option, which has made transactions with clients much easier and faster. As a busy student and entrepreneur, having a contactless payment method has streamlined her process, reducing the hassle of dealing with various payment apps or cash. “With Tap-to-Pay, I just put the amount, my client taps, and that’s it—way easier and way faster,” Angela shares. She appreciates how this feature eliminates the anxiety clients sometimes feel with digital payments, offering them a secure and straightforward way to settle their session fees. Tap-to-Pay has been instrumental in ensuring that Angela can focus on her craft and client experience without extra logistical hurdles.
“With Tap-to-Pay, I just put the amount, my client taps, and that’s it. ”
Expansion
Angela is determined to successfully complete her studies first, after which she envisions expanding her business by eventually opening a physical studio or even franchising Purple Franchiise Ink. She’s also considering traveling with her work to broaden her reach and connect with a more diverse clientele. “I might even do traveling tattoos, offering my art in different cities,” she says, excited by the potential. As she continues to grow her business and refine her skills, Angela has advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “You have your own life and then also you have your own business. Yes, you're going to be busy, but it's up to you to be organized. Thanks to Vev I keep myself very organized!”
“I might even do traveling tattoos, offering my art in different cities.”
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