Saydee Lorencz, owner of Timeless Tatts in Manning, is a 22-year-old Métis woman. She grew up in High Level, with family roots in Manning. Timeless Tatts is the first business she has owned, though she is a third-generation business owner in her family. Saydee has always been an artist, but says she never knew how to channel her talents into a career. It wasn't until a close family member suggested tattooing as a profession that she began to explore it as a potential career path.
𝗤: 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀?
A: I opened my tattoo studio on September 30th, Truth and Reconciliation Day, and I am the first ever official tattoo studio in Manning, AB! I started my journey by completing my certificate for tattooing at The Alberta College of Body Art in Grande Prairie, AB. After that, I spent two more months at Cree8iv Ink Studios located in Grande Prairie as well. I then completed my Therapeutic Recreation Diploma, and after that, I went straight to work setting up my own studio! Besides tattooing services, I also sell knitted and beaded crafts that I make myself, local crafts from my community, and piercing jewelry.
𝗤: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀?
A: I always knew I had to open my own studio if I wanted to live closer to my family, as there were no tattoo studios nearby. I also always planned to work in a studio due to the stigma involved with tattooing from home. What I love most about owning my own business is that I can work for myself. Everything I do is for my future and my business. I love having control of my hours, creating my own systems, and working with clients to meet both our needs.
𝗤: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻?
A: My greatest challenges so far have been starting up my business. It took a lot of time, patience, and effort to make everything work. Sourcing experienced people as references and using their advice helped me make my business work just as well. My greatest successes have been how smoothly I’ve started my business and how little I’ve had to advertise, as my community has been so encouraging and excellent in being a great advertisement for me.
𝗤: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿?
A: The support thus far has been incredible! I hadn’t even opened my studio yet, and people on the street already knew who I was and that I was opening a shop. I have people coming in all the time saying they heard from one of my previous clients how amazing I did on their tattoo and wanted to get one as well! I couldn't be more pleased with the support of my community and how welcomed I've been in my journey so far!
𝗤: 𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀?
A: My advice for others looking to start their own business is to find people who are successful business owners or people who have owned businesses in the past, and learn everything you can from them. Ask questions, use resources, and compare and contrast options. Lastly, always carry a notebook with you. You won’t realize all the tidbits and information you’ll come across, and writing them down makes it easier to search for and locate the information you find.
