Meet Jacob Young | Tattooer

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

Hi Jacob, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
My name is Jacob Young and I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. I grew up in a military family and spent a fair amount of time moving from place to place and having to meet new people and get to know new surroundings. I think the main impact those things had on me was first off making me comfortable in just about any situation with any group of people, which is very useful in my day to day encounters with customers. I also feel that the military family aspect gave me a sense of responsibility and work ethic that has stuck with me to this day. Everything is earned not deserved.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I struggle with calling myself an artist first off, Id prefer to be seen more as a craftsman, in the end I am a tattooer and not a painter or sculpture. As far as what sets me apart from others, I do my best to offer a clean, slick product in a friendly, professional and timely package.

I got to where I am in my career now by one factor, hard work. I put in the hours and have been happy to do it, and still am. Was it easy? Yes and no, but if it was too easy it wouldn’t be worth it.

The most important lessons I’ve learned is to never be better than what the customer wants. Your job is to make them happy and give them a good product, and sometimes that means I’m not the guy for the job, but that doesn’t mean what they want isn’t valid. And the other thing I try and stress to other people in my industry is to do your best to educate. Let people know why their design may need to be changed, or why some things don’t age well. Or even why someone else would be better suited to do the job.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This isn’t the best question for me, since I’m not the most socially active, however the spots I frequent would be Uchi or Namo if we wanted to get some great sushi, or Knife if we were feeling steak. A trip to Terry Blacks for some bbq is always good. But I just normally go to the gym and ride motorcycles most days.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I first want to thank my parents for always letting me figure it out my own way. They have been the most supportive people in my life since day one. The other person I owe a lot to is my boss and more importantly my friend Oliver Peck, he took a chance on me at an early age and has drastically altered the course of my life and career and I couldn’t be more thankful.

Instagram: @jacobyoungtattoo