Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Karamol
Hi Jake, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a tattoo artist / social media influencer with over 2.5 million total followers across platforms… Born and raised in Toledo Ohio I traveled all over to learn various styles of tattooing starting from Ohio to Michigan to Texas then to where I currently reside in Maryland. I was a relatively unknown tattooer until i discovered tiktok. Before TikTok I was training to become an mma fighter for several years until my coach got sent over seas for work. Feeling lost and upset of the loss of my coach and going from training 5 days a week after work in boxing Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu jitsu I now had only tattooing but needed another outlet. One night while drawing I discovered a tiktok compilation that was filled with funny videos this was in 2019 before the epidemic and the tiktok craze. So I got to it before any other tattoo artists were using it. Before we were taught as tattoo artists to only show our work and nothing personal. Which always seemed weird to me. when I started making videos i initially did it as a way to express my self through another form of art. And with all the drive and energy from training so long now I didn’t have anything to put time and energy into outside of tattooing as a release. So it worked perfectly. I didn’t expect anyone to see it my friends family or coworkers because nobody really used the app yet. After about 6 months of just making stuff I decided to make skits about tattooing involving client interactions which caught on like a wild fire. Considering it was new and there was nothing like it on any other social media platform I grew my audience based on my skits and in turn changed the tattoo industry. And industry where it was looked at as silly to show anything other than your work to now to even tattoo and be somewhat successful you need to use social media and post content other than your work to get noticed. Now there’s hundreds even thousands of other artists re creating or even stealing my concepts and content. I’ve gotten to meet many of my favorite influencers musicians and actors because of making some silly tattoo videos. And my life and business has forever changed now that I’m known around the globe for what I do. And I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity’s I’ve been given because of it. And to think I didn’t even use social media before this. It was my first time and all on a whim.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A lot of positive has come from it for sure. But with any large influx of positive there’s gonna be negative. I’ve been stalked , stolen from, threatened to be doxxed, harassed you name it. I guess it sorta comes with the pseudo internet fame. But even still I’m grateful to even be here.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a tattoo artist specializing in a multitude of different styles. But mainly known for mixing styles together with black and grey realism and color. I’m also a dj with the promotion sad and boujee and I do photography and videography on the side as well as my social media and my clothing brand. One thing I’m proud of is that I don’t feel like a one trick pony. A Jake of many trades
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor can be difficult but just seeking out one is the first step. Second would be making sure the person is the right choice for you. Instead of jumping on the first option that comes to mind. Networking is mostly communication and seeking like minded individuals to share ideas and or collaborate with. The rest as long as your intentions are good and you respect the craft and your peers the rest should fall into place
Pricing:
- $200 per hour of standard tattooing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@jakekaramol
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakekaramol
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/JWiF41UqxqrHz5u4/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jakekaramol
