Sometimes the best decision you can make as a tattoo artist is letting the money walk out the door.

In Episode 5 of Shop Talk, Adam Facenda talks about one of the most important skills he's learned during more than 20 years in the tattoo industry: knowing when to say no.

Not every tattoo should be done. Not every idea will age well. And not every client or project is worth risking your reputation over.

Adam shares real-world examples—including a memorable request for a 666 neck tattoo—and explains how he evaluates tattoo designs based on quality, placement, color, longevity, client expectations, and his own limitations as an artist.

This episode covers the difference between being able to do a tattoo and knowing whether you should.

You'll also hear why bold lines and smart color choices matter for longevity, how experience changes the way you evaluate difficult projects, why being honest with clients can actually strengthen relationships, and how better client communication can protect both the artist and the shop.

In this episode:

• Why saying no can protect your reputation
• The 666 neck tattoo Adam turned down
• Tattoo longevity and why it matters
• Ink, needles, color choices, and durability
• Recognizing projects outside your limits
• Managing difficult clients and setting boundaries
• Protecting future opportunities as an artist
• Using systems to keep client communication organized
• Why honesty builds better long-term client relationships

The takeaway: Saying no isn't about turning away business. It's about knowing when taking the money today could cost you more tomorrow.

Shop Talk with Adam Facenda is sponsored by Keep the Fees, software built for tattoo and piercing shops by people who actually understand the industry.

Want to see what Keep the Fees is all about? Use the link in my bio to connect directly with my personal team, or DM me KTF on Instagram.

No bullshit. Just real shop talk.

Discounting your tattoo work might fill an empty chair today—but what is it doing to the value of your work tomorrow?

In Episode 4 of Shop Talk, Adam Facenda talks about the dangers of constantly discounting your work and why lowering your price isn't always the answer when business slows down.

Instead of advertising discounts to everyone, Adam explains why tattoo artists and shop owners should focus on the people who already know and trust them. Your existing clients have already experienced your work, understand your value, and may be far more likely to book again when approached the right way.

Adam also shares how building real relationships with clients, keeping good records, and understanding a client's history can help shops create smarter promotions without publicly devaluing their artists.

In this episode:

• Why constantly discounting can hurt the perceived value of your work
• The difference between a strategic offer and simply lowering your price
• Why your existing clients should be your first call when business slows down
• Building relationships that create repeat clients and referrals
• How client history can help you make smarter marketing decisions
• Using client management tools to keep communication organized
• Rewarding loyal clients without advertising discounts to everyone
• Why artists need to take pride in the value of their work

The takeaway: You don't always need to find a new client to fill an opening. Sometimes the better opportunity is reconnecting with someone who already knows, trusts, and values your work.

Shop Talk with Adam Facenda is sponsored by Keep the Fees, software built for tattoo and piercing shops by people who actually understand the industry.

Want to see what Keep the Fees is all about? Use the link in my bio to connect directly with my personal team, or DM me KTF on Instagram.

No bullshit. Just real shop talk.

What if the best marketing opportunity for your tattoo business isn't Instagram, Facebook, or another paid ad?

What if it's already sitting in your chair?

In Episode 3 of Shop Talk, Adam Facenda explains why tattoo artists may be investing in all the wrong things when it comes to growing their careers.

Social media, advertising, and algorithms have their place—but they can't replace a genuine relationship with a client. Adam shares how taking the time to actually get to know the people he tattoos has helped him build relationships that have lasted for decades.

Some of those relationships have gone far beyond repeat appointments. Adam now tattoos multiple generations of the same families—all because of relationships that started in the tattoo chair years ago.

This episode explores why client satisfaction, genuine conversation, personal connection, and simply remembering the people you work with can be some of the most powerful marketing tools available to an artist.

In this episode:

• Why the best marketing may already be sitting in your chair
• Client relationships vs. social media algorithms
• Turning first-time clients into lifelong clients
• How genuine rapport creates referrals
• Tattooing multiple generations of the same family
• Why happy clients can become your best advertising
• How unhappy clients can affect your reputation
• Using client notes to provide more personalized service
• Building relationships across an entire tattoo shop
• Why community still matters in tattooing

The takeaway: Don't spend so much time chasing the next client that you forget about the person already sitting in front of you.

Invest in the relationship. Take care of your clients. Give them an experience worth talking about.

Because the best marketing isn't always an ad.

Sometimes it's sitting in your chair.

Shop Talk with Adam Facenda is sponsored by Keep the Fees, software built specifically for tattoo and piercing studios.

Want to see what Keep the Fees is all about? Use the link in my bio to connect directly with my personal team, or DM me KTF on Instagram.

No bullshit. Just real shop talk.

Tattoo shop owners and tattoo artists know that misunderstandings over deposits, design changes, and appointment policies can quickly become client disputes.

In Episode 2 of Shop Talk with Adam Facenda, Adam draws from more than 20 years in tattooing to explain how clear deposit policies, documented conversations, upfront communication, and dependable tattoo shop software can protect your business.

Adam discusses a real situation involving a changing tattoo design and a disputed deposit. He explains why tattoo artists should be paid for their design work, how to handle client misunderstandings professionally, and why having proof of every conversation and transaction matters.

In this episode:

• Creating clear tattoo deposit policies
• Handling changing tattoo designs and deposit transfers
• Getting paid for tattoo design work
• Managing difficult tattoo clients professionally
• Documenting conversations and transactions
• Using specialized software to manage a tattoo shop
• Building better systems for long-term success

TATTOO AND PIERCING SHOP OWNERS:

Keep The Fees helps manage tattoo appointments, digital forms, deposits, client communication, artist payouts, inventory, POS, and shop reporting.

Learn more and schedule a demo:
https://land.keepthefees.com/anchors-and-eagles.html

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and episode overview
02:10 Using disclaimers and software to manage expectations
03:44 Changing tattoo designs and transferring deposits
05:09 Tattoo design work and payment expectations
06:08 Handling disputes over deposits and design changes
07:21 The value of proof and communication
08:12 How Keep The Fees streamlines tattoo shop management
09:20 Good management and trustworthy tattoo artists
10:09 Why the tattoo industry needs specialized software
10:46 Final thoughts and resources for tattoo shop owners

Music: “Blackwall” by David J. Barrios
Original: https://davidjbarrios.bandcamp.com/track/blackwall
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Shop Talk with Adam Facenda is a tattoo-industry podcast about the real business, culture, and day-to-day reality of tattooing.

Adam is a second-generation tattoo artist, owner of True Love Tattoo in Fort Lauderdale, and co-founder of Keep The Fees. Drawing from more than 20 years of tattooing and tattoo shop management, Adam discusses tattoo clients, deposits, pricing, artist management, apprenticeships, shop policies, marketing, burnout, and the systems required to operate a successful tattoo studio.

This is honest, practical shop talk for tattoo artists, apprentices, tattoo shop owners, piercers, and anyone building a career in the tattoo industry.

Tattoo and piercing shop owners can learn more about Keep The Fees at:
https://land.keepthefees.com/anchors-and-eagles.html