Today we’d like to introduce you to Kandy Kouture.
Kandy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I waited until later in my life to get my first tattoo, and as it is for may people I’m certain, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I received a recommendation of a talented and reputable tattoo artist and booked my appointment. The tattoo was a large peacock that extends along my ribs from the top of the ribcage down onto my lower hip: an ambitious first tattoo that would take 3 sessions.
The tattoo shop was a traditional “open concept” which meant that on the day of my appointment I basically found myself totally exposed on in one big room. During the next eight hours, I had multiple artists and other clients come over, look, and hover. By the second session I was prepared and became a master in draping and wrapping myself in a robe to only expose the tattooed parts but it led me to ponder if this was the norm.
My background is in marketing and medical with experience in running high end med spas among other medical practices and Fortune 500 Companies. I returned home full of questions for my husband who has been tattooed since his teenage years. I began to do research and found that more women are tattooed each year than men, since 2012, yet there wasn’t a space that catered to them. Why wasn’t there a tattoo shop patterned after a high-end med spa? Private rooms, lush velvet, chandeliers…and that where Ink Couture was born.
We opened the very first location in 2018 and it was an immediate success. Not only was Ink Couture a space that catered to women, but also other clientele, who were hesitant to patronize other traditional shops, such as law enforcement, physicians, attorneys, and others who were simply looking for award-winning tattoos delivered in a private upscale environment.
Seven years later, Ink Couture Tattoos has six locations throughout Texas: four in San Antonio, one in Austin and one in San Marcos, making us the largest tattoo brand in Texas and the largest female owned tattoo brand in the nation.
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?
The tattoo industry is very much a traditional boys club. When we first opened our very first Ink Couture Tattoos location, we were not taken to be a serious competitor. After all, Ink Couture is the complete opposite of a traditional tattoo shop and here we came on the scene owned and operated by a former Playmate…how could we be a threat. There were jokes and laughing…until they all saw we were the future.
Suddenly, local traditional and established shops started implementing our phrasing: THEY were now a “Premier” tattoo shop. They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery and we were indeed the pivotal shift in the tattoo industry. Now you will see other shops with chandeliers. And we are often attempted to be imitated, but never duplicated.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ink Couture Tattoos?
Patterned after a high-end spa, Ink Couture opened the doors to its second location just one year later, followed 4 more locations. Now boasting over 50 artists from all over the continental United States and around the World. Many of our tattoo artists are female. We offer every tattoo style and walk-ins daily. We are the first premier luxury tattoo shop.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I am a true San Antonio native: born and raised right here in San Antonio.
I love our culture and unique flavor and the sense of community we all share. We are a big city with a big heart and welcome all those who join use and choose to call San Antonio home.
Pricing:
- Tattoos start at just $75 and are based on actual size and detail.
- Consultations are always free.
- Walk-ins are welcome 7 days a week.
- We offer piercing at 5 of our 6 locations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inkcouturetattoos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkcouturetattoos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InkCoutureTattoos/
