Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Slaughter.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Okay, deep breath!
I have always loved tattoos and piercings for as long as I can remember! I fell in love with a tattoo artist who had a dream. The dream was to own his own studio one day.
In the beginning of his journey, he had tattooed in the local area. He began tattooing out of our home for a short period of time.
I was blessed by an unexpected event that could have been a tragedy. This unexpected event made it to where we could open our very own!
So, essentially, I took on my husband’s dream, and together, we made it a reality.
We had the idea for me to learn how to pierce. I had no idea I was going to love it this much!
You see, people are not numbers to me. I see someone’s daughter. I see someone’s son. I see someone’s mama. And each person has a different need. Each person is a new canvas to me!
My absolute favorite part about being a piercing artist is the glow my clients get after! That part nobody sees behind the chair! The shared laughs, sometimes tears, or the little one trying to run out the door because fear has a grip on them!
I love being the one to help…
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not! From the very beginning of my career, I was pretty much thrown into the deep end. And what I mean by that is, I never really had the opportunity to go through a traditional apprenticeship.
I was fortunate enough to have an experienced piercing artist who was willing to take time out of his already busy schedule to teach me whenever he could. And for that, I’ll always be grateful! But outside of that, it was a whole lot of research, studying anatomy, asking questions, and educating myself. So much of the knowledge I have today came from countless hours of doing my own research and having the determination to learn everything I possibly could about this industry. It definitely wasn’t easy, but I wanted to be good at what I did, and I wasn’t going to let the lack of a traditional apprenticeship stop me.
About three years ago, life threw me a completely different kind of obstacle. I was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). That was honestly one of the scariest times of my life, especially when it came to my career. Doctors were also trying to determine whether I had an autoimmune condition, but unfortunately, the medical expenses became so overwhelming that I eventually made the decision to stop pursuing further testing.
At one point, I spent eight months in a wheelchair because of recurring syncope episodes, which basically means I was fainting. And let me tell you, those eight months took me to a very dark place mentally and emotionally. There were times when I seriously considered giving up piercing altogether and just focusing on my health. There were plenty of days when I physically couldn’t even make it into the studio.
But you know what? On the days I could, I was right there, doing piercings from my wheelchair! It wasn’t easy, and it certainly wasn’t how I pictured my career going. But I had already put so much of myself into learning this craft. The thought of walking away from something I had worked so hard for, something I genuinely loved, was heartbreaking.
And not all my struggles were quite that serious! Believe it or not, there was a time when I honestly thought I was NEVER going to get the hang of nose piercings! Those things were an absolute pain in my ass! I can laugh about it now, but back then, they really tested my patience. Through practice, determination, and refusing to let something get the best of me, I eventually mastered something I once thought I couldn’t do. Now? I joke that I could practically pierce a nose with my eyes closed! Funny how that works, isn’t it?
There have been plenty of other obstacles throughout this journey, some of which are a little too personal for me to share. And that’s okay. Not every struggle needs to be put out there for the world to see.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over these past seven years, it’s that nothing worth having comes without challenges. I’ve had to teach myself, push myself, adapt, and sometimes completely rethink what I believed I was capable of.
And I absolutely cannot talk about my journey without acknowledging my clients! Because the truth is, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Every single person who has trusted me with their piercing, whether they’ve been sitting in my chair since the beginning or just recently found me, has played a part in my growth. They’ve given me the opportunity to learn, improve, build my confidence, and become the artist I am today. Some have been with me through some of my hardest times, and that kind of loyalty and support means more to me than I could ever put into words. I don’t take that trust lightly, and I never will. To every person who has supported me, recommended me to someone they love, or simply believed in me, thank you. From the bottom of my heart!
Has it been easy? Not even close! Would I change everything I’ve been through? I don’t think I would. Because every obstacle, every frustrating moment, and every time I questioned myself has helped shape me into the artist and woman I am today.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’m proud of the knowledge I’ve worked so hard to gain. And most importantly, I’m proud of the fact that even during some of the darkest moments of my life, I never completely gave up on myself or something I truly love. And I will forever be grateful to the people who have been part of that journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m professional body piercer with seven years of experience and co-owner of Slaughterized Ink Tattoo & Piercing Studio.
I feel like one of the biggest things that sets me apart from other piercing artists is how personable I am with my clients. I genuinely love people, and I believe in meeting them exactly where they are.
Not everyone who walks through my door is going to have the same needs, the same level of confidence, or the same comfort level. Some people are excited, some are nervous, and some need a little extra patience and reassurance. I feel like one of my strengths is being able to recognize that and adjust my approach to the person sitting in front of me.
You see, when someone sits in my chair, I don’t just see another client or another number. I see someone’s daughter. I see someone’s son. I see someone’s mama. I see a person who has put their trust in me, and that’s something I take very seriously.
To me, piercing has never been about simply performing a service and sending someone on their way. It’s about making genuine connections, building trust, and helping people feel comfortable, respected, and confident in their decisions.
I feel like I’ve become known for three things throughout my career: being personable, taking sanitation seriously, and being especially good with children.
Cleanliness and proper sanitation are things I absolutely refuse to compromise on. I want every client who sits in my chair to know that their safety and well-being are priorities. It’s not just about making a piercing look beautiful. It’s about doing things correctly, responsibly, and with the care each person deserves.
And when it comes to children, I genuinely love working with them! Let’s face it, getting your ears pierced can be a pretty big deal when you’re little. Sometimes they’re excited, sometimes they’re terrified, and sometimes they’re ready to run right back out the door! I’ve learned that patience, understanding, and a little personality can go a long way. I never want a child to feel like they’re just another appointment that needs to get done. I want them to feel heard, comfortable, and proud of themselves.
I want every person who sits in my chair to feel like they’re more than just another appointment on my schedule. Because to me, they are.
As far as what I specialize in, I consider myself a well-rounded piercing artist. Over the years, I’ve developed extensive knowledge of anatomy, placement, and technique across nearly every category of body piercing. There are, however, a couple of services I choose not to offer, including male genital piercings and tongue piercings.
My decision not to perform tongue piercings comes down to my personal and professional ethics. I’m very aware of the potential damage oral jewelry can cause to someone’s teeth and gums, and that’s something I personally don’t feel comfortable contributing to. I understand that every piercing comes with risks, but for me, this is one I choose not to take. Just because I have the knowledge or ability to perform a piercing doesn’t necessarily mean I should. My clients’ long-term well-being will always matter more to me than making a sale.
One of the things I’m most proud of after seven years in this industry is reaching a point in my career where I can be selective about the piercings I choose to perform. There’s something really rewarding about knowing that I have the knowledge and technical abilities to perform such a wide variety of piercings while also having the freedom to decide which services I want to offer.
To me, that’s a reflection of how much I’ve grown as an artist. I’ve gone from someone who had so much to learn to someone who can confidently stand behind her work, her knowledge, and her decisions. And I’m incredibly proud of that.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want to be remembered as the person who performed someone’s piercing. I want to be remembered as the person who made them feel comfortable, respected, and genuinely cared for. Because that’s what this career has always been about for me.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that might genuinely surprise people about me is that I’m actually a mother of FIVE, yes five! I have a 20-year-old daughter who is currently serving in the Army, a 19-year-old daughter who works as a teaching assistant, a 17-year-old daughter, a 15-year-old son, and a 12-year-old son. So, needless to say, life outside the studio is anything but boring!
Another thing people might not know about me is that I absolutely love to sing! Now, I’m not saying I’m the next big superstar or anything, but I’ve been told I have a pretty decent voice! It’s something I genuinely enjoy doing, even if most people only know me as the woman behind the piercing needle.
And here’s something I’m really excited about! After seven years of working as a professional piercer, I’ve recently started my own journey of learning how to tattoo, with the goal of eventually tattooing professionally at Slaughterized Ink! I’ve spent years surrounded by talented tattoo artists, and now I’m taking the steps to develop those skills myself. It’s a completely different art form, and while I know I have a lot to learn, I’m excited to challenge myself and grow as an artist.
I think one of the beautiful things about life is that there’s always something new to learn, no matter how much experience you already have. I’m a mother, a piercer, a businesswoman, and apparently a decent singer! And now, I’m working toward becoming a tattoo artist, too. Who knows what I’ll decide to learn next!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.slaughterizedink.com/tattoo-services
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inked_goddess_piercer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1K7PCzJm44/
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=slaughterized+ink+reviews
