Today we’d like to introduce you to Robyn Pallotta
Hi Robyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Bluebonnet Tattoo is the result of my love for the outdoors combined with being forced to work indoors. My husband Ty and I have owned our own tattoo studios since 2004. In 1998 Ty did his tattoo apprenticeship on 6th Street here in Austin. Originally from NJ, he eventually moved back to start his career there. We met on Dec 31, 1999 and were married a few months later, and welcomed our first son a short while after that.
Our first studio was the product of wanting to build a welcoming tattoo shop for all, without the stigma that comes along with what a tattoo shop is; scary, intimidating, masculine. We decorated in warm woods, neutral colors and the music selection was pretty mild as well. We did very well with this model and built the business to eventually expand and open a second location.
In 2007 As a family we tried to relocate to Austin. We also tried again in 2016. But we were continually pulled back to NJ as remotely running businesses was much harder than expected. Our love for Austin never wavered. In 2021, we made the decision to sell it all, shop included, and relocate one last time, this time with an all-or-nothing attitude. We worked in a private studio setting for 3 years, and realized we missed the energy that comes along with owning a shop.
We are so excited about Bluebonnet Tattoo. We love our location, our space is bright and open, and the decor is “Hill Country State Park”. We’ve implemented live cactus, real wood, string lights and warm colors to exemplify that. Even our portfolios look like State Park brochures.
This space is welcoming to all and we hope you’ll come see it for yourself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning your own business is never easy and owning a service based business is even more challenging. With our first shop, the process took much longer than expected and we had exactly $300 in all of our accounts the day we opened. There is no backup plan or funds when you are self-employed.
We are owner/operators which means if we don’t work, we don’t get paid.
There are no “off days”. Since we are dealing in permanency we need to be at 100% every single day.
People think we’re some big business because we have a nice space, but we are the epitome of a Mom and Pop business. It’s just us, no investors or co-owners and self funded. We just have a lot of pride in what we do, which seems to give off a “corporate” vibe that can be a double edge sword.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
All the artists at the shop have different styles. I do what is best described as antique floral tattoos specifically with black and white ink. Nick does fine line tattoos and Ty is the guy who does it all, and very well at that. From large illustrative color tattoos to black and grey realism, he is extremely well rounded. We all work well together and we can handle pretty much anything that comes through the door with our skill and experience.
I am proud of finding my style since I started tattooing in 2009. It took a long time to get there, but now it’s very natural.
We are different from others because we are very serious about our profession. Our reputation and image is everything to us.
What’s next?
We are looking forward to building this studio to the same degree as our others, only in a different city. We are not looking to expand or have multiple locations. This is a one and done for us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluebonnettattoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebonnettattoo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluebonnettattoo
