Meet Syd Silveous | Cosmetic Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Syd Silveous and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Syd, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always knew I didn’t want to work for anyone else based on my personality, different obligatory jobs, my upbringing (most of my family own their own businesses) & through being told at a young age all through school how I learned was “different”. I always felt like I didn’t fit in, or that I was being put down, but I realized it was because I had my own way/style of figuring things out, even though it was never the “correct” way. But I knew in my heart, as long as it’s done, there is no right or wrong way. Being micromanaged, especially through the job titles, Server & Assistant, I knew I wanted to eventually be my own boss/individual thinker & do things my own way. I just did not know what that would look like since I was uninterested in most things, other than the feeling of wanting to help people or loving to sing & loving music, I had no idea how I would be that, but life sure has a funny sense of humor. I knew I had a special gift inside me. That gift feels more like a born leader, someone who knows what needs to be done & can get it done without having to be told. I think that is what makes an entrepreneur. All of the different jobs led me to this conclusion, and I think strengthened that spark in me. I always welcome constructive criticism if it is something I believed & am interested in & can make me better. I just knew I needed to be my own boss with a mentor I believed in.. After my initial tattoo training, I learned all I could, and then knew it was time to take the leap & create the ideal job environment for myself while getting back to the root of feeling the need to help people. Diving head first, into the unknown was only scary for a second. I pushed myself & discovered more strengths. Being my own boss now is the greatest gift I have given myself. The freedom & work/life balance while making an impact in others lives is such a good feeling.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am Syd. I own Cosmetic Ink Studios. I am a cosmetic tattooer specializing in the tattooing of eyebrows, eyeliner, scalp pigmentation for hair loss & lip blushing to enhance natural lip color.

Never in my life did I think I would be serving people in this way. I always thought I would be a teacher or a school counselor or even a social worker because those are the people that had made an impact in my life as a young kid who struggled in school & struggled to love herself. Before creating Cosmetic Ink Studios, I was a miserable dental assistant & a server. I waited tables for 10 years and was a dental assistant for 5.. I hated both of those jobs, but those are what got me by at the time.

How did I end up as a Cosmetic Tattoo Artist? Well, I struggle with something called Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a hair pulling disorder, brought on by stress and anxiety. I started pulling my eyebrows & eyelashes out my sophomore year of high school, which was a stressful time for me. I always had a hard time in school. I had an IEP starting in 3rd grade through graduation & was told I had a “learning disability.” Now I know that it was all untrue, I was just uninterested in what I was learning in school. The pressure to have it all figured out by 18 and graduation got to me, resulting in the anxious pulling of my hair. In doing so after several years, my brows stopped growing back. After so long drawing them in daily, I was tired of seeing myself every day being reminded that I was the one to blame. I was ready to not have to be reminded & could just wake up with eyebrows again. At least a better version. So fast forward, for Christmas one year, my mom sought out a cosmetic tattoo artist to tattoo them by creating hair-like strokes which is a way of creating realistic-looking eyebrows. After having them tattooed, I immediately sat up & looked up at the woman, now my mentor and I told her this is what I want to do for a living. I asked her how I could get started. I end up quitting my dental job & got trained and became her first apprentice. I then worked under her for several years gaining the knowledge I needed. She has taught me everything I know. I took a leap of faith and went out on my own several years ago and never looked back. It is the best decision I have made yet in my life.

So the “funny” thing is, I pulled my hair out in search of finding a purpose which led me TO my purpose. Funny how something so sad and destructive can bring something so so good. Had I not formed that habit, I would not be in this industry today & loving what I do..

So while I heal, I get to help others do the same. I love what I do & now I get to make money doing what I love, while also helping people feel confident. It’s a win-win. Starting this business was a complete leap of faith that I will never regret. It is my passion.

My advice: every stepping stone is leading you somewhere. Take each step, good or bad & don’t question it because you never know where you might end up. Your struggle could also turn into your purpose.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would show them my favorite hiking spots, Sheedy Gap Trail & Char Mar Ridge Park, or go for a scenic bike ride on the Ohio to Erie trail followed by good food and drinks at local places. I would take them to my favorite burger and fries joint, also where I worked, Hadley’s in downtown Columbus. If it’s a week we would also go to Las Margaritas in Westerville & have the best margarita ever with the best Mexican food or go to Las Tapias in west Columbus to have the best Birria ever. We would also stay down in a cabin at Hocking Hills & explore the area & go to their winery. If it were summer we would paddle board on an Ohio lake (not Alum), or kayak kokosing & licking river. For a night out we would enjoy dinner & a show at Shadowbox Live! Columbus’ version of SNL. Or maybe even Pins Mechanical for games & drinks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout my parents, who have always supported & believed in me. My mom who has been my tattoo guinea pig since day one of my initial training & my dad who has been the greatest business & life teacher. Growing up, I would remember sitting down at the kitchen table, crying because I couldn’t understand my math homework how he was teaching me. Now when we sit down to do taxes or to budget or to look toward the future financially, the conversations are quite different. He has taught me how to manage myself and my finances. He has shown me a great work ethic while also not giving up on living along the way. Treating myself to a vacation because it is well deserved or taking a day off to catch up. I see myself in my parents and I feel as if I get to be both of them at the same time & do things differently. A second chance if you will. My dad has always taken care of my mom, even when my dad had hit a low point in life and almost lost everything during the economy crash in 2007. He had to rebuild his life from the ground up and took care of his family. He has always been a provider and my mom has always been the supporter. We never went without. My mom never had to work after they got married, even though she wanted to so I think she sees herself in me quite a bit. Being as I am not married yet but would still not want to rely on anyone else. To have a partner but not rely on someone solely because I know now it takes a team. She is my biggest cheerleader & supporter to being a strong, individual woman. It’s almost as if she sometimes lives through me, which is pretty cool to see as an adult. I am forever grateful for the parents I have. So shoutout to them!

Website: cosmeticinkstudios.com

Instagram: cosmeticinkstudios

Facebook: Cosmetic Ink Studios

Image Credits
Hannah Plympton (Hannah Christine Photography) Ryan Childress (RJ Childress Photography)