Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandi Phillips.
Mandi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Over the years, I’ve been asked countless times, “How did you get into tattooing?” While there are many traditional paths into the industry, mine truly began with something much simpler: it kind of fell into my lap.
Like many artists, my love for creativity started early. As a little girl, I was always drawing on the walls, making fairy dolls out of paperclips and leaves, and asking for art supplies for every birthday and holiday. Art wasn’t just something I did, it was how I understood the world. Through my teens and early adulthood, creating in every medium I could get my hands on remained a constant hobby. Deep down, I knew I belonged in an artistic career. I just didn’t believe that reality was within reach.
In my early twenties, while working clerical and office jobs, I made a personal decision: if I wasn’t naturally “talented enough,” I would work until I was. Every evening after my day job, I practiced relentlessly. I filled countless sketchbooks and canvases, went through sets of pencils and tubes of paint, and studied everything I could. Pages of hand poses, anatomy and proportions, still lifes of fruit, plants, frogs, cups, and anything that would teach me discipline and structure. I watched tutorials, read books, and absorbed interviews from artists who generously shared their knowledge. Slowly but surely, my skills began to transform. For the first time, I felt capable of building something sustainable and meaningful from my art. I just didn’t yet know how to bridge the gap.
Still working receptionist and administrative roles, searching for fulfillment and not quite finding it, I was unexpectedly given an opening. One day, I went into a tattoo and piercing shop for a piercing. The manager, who was also the resident piercer, mentioned that their receptionist had just resigned that morning and asked if I happened to be looking for a job. Maybe it was my growing collection of tattoos. Maybe it was timing. Maybe it was something bigger. Whatever it was, I said yes without hesitation.
A few weeks later, I was working the front desk at that tattoo shop. It was still customer service and administrative work, but it was inside a tattoo studio. I knew immediately that I wanted to tattoo. During slow hours, I filled my sketchbook, partly to pass time and partly to show that I was serious about learning. I made my interest known to anyone who would listen.
Eventually, one of the tattoo artists overheard me talking about my goals and said the words that changed everything: “I’ll teach you.”
During my apprenticeship, I quickly realized that I not only loved tattooing; I had real potential. The more I learned, the more natural it felt. Not easy by a long stretch, but natural. When I was ready to tattoo professionally, I was offered a position at a female-owned studio, another milestone that felt aligned and intentional.
Since then, every step of my career has had the same undercurrent of being earned through discipline and growth, yet guided by something bigger than coincidence. Today, I own my own private studio, where I continue to tattoo an incredible clientele in a space I’ve built with intention, creativity, and heart.
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 road to becoming a tattoo artist has definitely not been smooth, but every challenge shaped me into the artist and business owner I am today.
While I was working as a receptionist in my first tattoo shop, I was repeatedly turned down for apprenticeship opportunities. I was told more than once that apprenticeships were nearly impossible to secure. Even so, I had a quiet confidence that I would find my way. A few close friends and coworkers encouraged me to keep trying, and I did.
When I finally began my apprenticeship, I quickly realized it would be far more demanding than I anticipated. I was still working full-time at the front desk while training after hours and on my days off. The days were long and physically intense. As someone living with chronic illnesses, the strain on my body was significant. I developed severe nerve pain in my neck and back, struggled with panic attacks, and faced ongoing health challenges while trying to keep up with the pace of a busy shop.
There were moments when I felt misunderstood. My physical limitations were not always met with compassion, and that was painful. Ultimately, that environment pushed me to seek a space where I could grow both professionally and personally.
When I began tattooing professionally, a new set of challenges emerged. Starting out in tattooing can be financially unpredictable. Building a clientele from scratch takes time. I worked in a private studio with another amazing female artist, which was a safe and supportive space, but the commute and lack of walk-in traffic made it difficult to sustain myself.
I then transitioned to a larger, busier shop closer to home. Financially, things improved, but I struggled with the environment. As the only woman on a full staff of men, I often felt like an outsider. I worked hard to contribute, support the team, and serve clients well, but after about a year, I recognized I wasn’t thriving. When I voiced my concerns and expressed that I might be better suited elsewhere, I was immediately let go. While difficult, that moment clarified something important. I needed to build an environment aligned with my values.
Soon after, a salon suite business reached out to me about leasing a private studio. It was an unconventional path for tattooing, but it felt right. Opening my own studio was complex and intimidating. I had to navigate licensing, inspections, finances, branding, and logistics entirely on my own. There were moments of doubt, amplified by past criticism suggesting I was “doing it wrong” by approaching tattooing differently. But I believed there was room for a more private, intentional, client-centered experience.
So I built it.
Running my own studio as a sole owner and operator means wearing every hat—I am the artist, administrator, marketer, custodian, and business strategist. It is demanding, and I still manage chronic pain and fatigue daily. But it is also the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done.
To create art that someone trusts enough to carry on their body forever is an extraordinary honor. To build a space where clients feel safe, comfortable, and inspired is something I’m deeply proud of. The journey has been challenging, but every obstacle strengthened my resilience and clarified my purpose.
It hasn’t been easy but it has been absolutely worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My style is constantly evolving, but at its core, I specialize in what I like to call “American Traditional-ish.” I draw from the foundations of American Traditional tattooing such as bold, confident linework, saturated color fields, and classic motifs like roses, daggers, panthers, and swallows. But I love putting my own spin on it.
I expand the traditional color palette to include pinks, purples, and soft blues, and I often incorporate subjects that aren’t typically seen in classic traditional work like anime-inspired characters, ruffles, bows, sparkles, and playful details. It’s a cutesy, feminine, imaginative twist on a historically bold and rugged style. I’m very proud of the signature “Mandi Floof” style that clients have come to know and love—a blend of strong traditional structure with softness, whimsy, and personality.
At the same time, I also really enjoy doing black and gray stippling work in a more illustrative and delicate style; think mandalas, ornamental designs, fine line flowers, cute little butterflies, ladybugs, moths, etc. That contrast between bold color and soft detail keeps my creativity balanced and constantly inspired.
What I’m most proud of is not just the artwork itself, but the identity I’ve built around it. I’ve cultivated a style that feels recognizable; it’s playful, feminine, and emotionally expressive. I love taking a client’s concept and transforming it into something vibrant, fun, and personal.
Beyond the tattoos, what truly sets me apart is the experience I provide. My studio is completely private and intentionally designed to feel safe, welcoming, and comfortable. In an industry that can sometimes feel loud or intimidating, I’ve built an environment that feels calm and personal. Clients have privacy, especially when working on more intimate placements, and they’re encouraged to be active participants in their experience, from choosing music and lighting to confidently voicing their needs like taking breaks when needed.
I provide thoughtful comforts like snacks, water, pillows, blankets, and numbing options, because I believe tattooing shouldn’t just be endured, it should feel supported. Especially in an area where there are relatively few women tattooers, I’ve found that many clients appreciate having a space where they feel understood and secure.
For me, tattooing isn’t just about creating beautiful artwork, it’s also about building trust, fostering comfort, and giving people a positive, empowering experience they’ll remember just as much as the tattoo itself.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to work with me is through my website, mandifloof.square.site, or by following me on Instagram @MandifloofTattoos. Instagram serves as my visual portfolio and primary hub for updates, including when my books are open and what projects I’m currently excited about. When scheduling opens, clients can submit a brief form through my website outlining their ideas, and from there we coordinate appointments directly.
To ensure I can give every client my full attention and creative energy, I typically book about three months at a time. I’ve found this helps everyone plan more intentionally and minimizes scheduling conflicts. As someone managing chronic health conditions, I’m very mindful about pacing my workload in a sustainable way. Maintaining balanced hours allows me to consistently deliver high-quality work while protecting my long-term ability to create. I believe strong boundaries ultimately benefit both myself and my clients.
For those interested in collaborating, I’m always open to creative partnerships that align with my aesthetic and values—whether that’s artistic collaborations, community events, or curated brand projects.
Beyond booking appointments, one of the most meaningful ways to support my work is simply engaging with it. Following along on Instagram, sharing posts, leaving thoughtful comments, or writing a positive Google review all make a significant impact for a small business owner. Word-of-mouth and community support have played a huge role in my growth, and I’m incredibly grateful for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mandifloof.square.site
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/MandiFloofTattoos
Image Credits
Savanna Pena
