Today we’d like to introduce you to Syd Parker.
Hi Syd, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, I only think it’s right to start at the beginning! I have always struggled to find my place. In the world, in my personal relationships, and with myself. My unbiased identity is something that’s always been hard for me. From the time period of 2016-2020 I had only one plan for me and my future: graduate with a 4.0, go to college, and do something that would let me retire comfortably. Satisfaction was just a hope, not a goal. Close to when I graduated in 2021, I realized I was a totally different person than who I had been trying to be for the last 10ish years, I needed to reinvent and find myself again! My plans for college got put off, I moved states, I stretched my ears, got new tattoos, grew my hair out, did my makeup differently, and really leaned in to the side of me I felt had been missing. Time went by, my fiancé and I began dating, and I moved states again to be with him. Eventually, school became more of an afterthought; I still had plans to go, but I was definitely more focused on my relationship and making quick money to get our own place at this point. During this time, my partner really helped me focus on finding myself and what my identity meant to me.
After bouncing around at a couple of retail/customer service jobs, my very dear friend and crazy talented artist, Kyleigh Smith, told me that they were looking for a shop manager at Lucky You Tattoo Emporium in Griffin, GA! I was stoked to hear this; I mean, a whole new opportunity in a completely different, alternative environment? That’s awesome! However, I didn’t expect much out of it. I had never been in the industry before, I had only ever done corporate jobs, and the total change in lifestyle was a little intimidating. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity though, so I showed up and interviewed with the shop owners. Despite being young and green, they hired me! I’ve been here for about a year now, and I’m still figuring out the industry and everything that comes with it. I’m definitely still green. But, I’ve gotten to make some really great friends here and they’ve helped me out a lot; I met Hailey, Sam, and Ellie at the shop, and they’ve offered me all kinds of advice and generosity. After just a few months of being the shop manager I decided I was not going back to the 9-5 life if I could help it because of how much I enjoyed it! As the shop became more established and I broadened my horizons a bit, I mentioned the idea of becoming a piercing apprentice under them; we were growing our clientele in the area and did not have a piercer, so it was worth a shot! I really wanted something to get passionate about. I knew that apprenticeships were hard to find, especially proper ones, so bringing up this idea was a bit nerve-wracking. Oh, but I’m so glad I did!
My amazing peers and coworkers encouraged me to further consider the idea, and Sam and Ellie (our shop owners) had made the environment comfortable enough for me to be open and honest with them; I really wanted to start piercing! I had weighed the pros and cons, done a little research, and was ready to go if they would take a chance on me. I’ve always had piercings, although in small doses, and they’ve always been intriguing to me. The rich history and ritualistic, coming-of-age aspect of it in non-western cultures is beautiful and important; the queer history behind it in the West and how affirming piercings can be for people (especially gender non-conforming folks) also really hit home for me. Bodily autonomy through piercings is one of my favorite things to experience, and it helped me a lot during a very transformative period of my life. Getting to experience that first hand, and play a part in giving that sensation to other people? I had to try it. I am so incredibly grateful for my experience in my apprenticeship and beforehand, I have gotten very, very lucky in my position and I have nothing but gratitude in my heart for this shop and the people within it.
I have been piercing for about a month now, and have been in my apprenticeship since December of 2024. It has been nothing short of wonderful. I am doing exactly what I wanted to, give people a place to reconnect with their bodies! Although I still have much to learn and a lot of work to put into this career, it’s already taught me a lot about myself and others. Piercing has been such a cool, hands-on and intimate experience. I couldn’t be more thankful for all the clients I’ve gotten who’ve trusted me enough to let me gain some experience with them, for my mentor, Ellie, for taking the time to teach me and everyone else in the shop for their own wisdom, for the people around me who’ve supported and encouraged me to try something new and scary, for my peers and everyone who’s been willing to share their own piece of advice, and for myself. For being okay being unsure, and for working so hard everyday to make my career what I want it to be. I have something to be proud of, that will continue growing and changing with me. That’s really exciting.
Now, I’m very open-minded for how things will go. I show up every day and try my very best, I practice how I play, and I try to go the extra mile that comes with making yourself a business; but it won’t stay this way forever, or even for long! This industry is forever ebbing and flowing, and my experience is purely determined by others, so I’m willing to wait and see what comes my way. This job has satisfied me, although I’m working on finding balance as to not get burnt out too early, but I am too stoked to see what the future has in store for me, also. This was never something I imagined for myself, but I think I’m here for a reason; and I couldn’t be happier about it!
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?
I have been EXTREMELY fortunate with my apprenticeship and my shop. These people are some of my biggest supporters and I wouldn’t be here at all if it wasn’t for them, they’ve made my transition to being self-employed as easy as possible. I’ve been in an extremely good place with this shop since I started here, and it’s only bigger and better things from this moment! That being said, I have had my own struggles coming into this industry.
Apprenticeships are hard, for anyone and everyone. It’s so scary jumping into something that you have to build from the ground up. Worrying if you’re going to be good enough, wondering what other people think about you, how you’re perceived, if you’re going to make enough money to sustain a life, sacrificing your time to produce what you have to, and figuring out how to market yourself are all things that I’ve had doubts about consistently. But, honestly, I don’t think there’s anyone out there that doesn’t feel these pressures at some point in their lives. I guess it’s kind of an ode to yourself at that point though; taking the scary stuff and doing it anyway because you deserve to see it through. I’m an anxious person and the unknown freaks me out. A lot. So in a career like this, that can be difficult to manage. Everything is unknown and coming and going in waves, so you just have to take it as it comes! I’m still learning how to navigate that, and everything I do right now is temporary: I know I’m still learning and honing my skills, so inevitably, things are going to look much different a year (or ten years) down the line, which is comforting and uncomfortable in their own regards.
All in all, there will always be an underlying “what if?” and I’ve kind of had to accept that. Not just in my work, but in my everyday life, too. I do my best to stay present but be prepared, because that’s the only thing I CAN do. And that’s okay! There are going to be struggles in any career, at any point in your life, so I don’t think my cards are all that bad. We adapt and overcome!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a piercing apprentice/piercer. This means that I stab people for fun! Just kidding (kind of). I like to think I create a place for people to reclaim their bodies, boost their confidence, and look like a badass while doing it. I love the technical side of it too, it’s an operation that comes out super cool!
For me, piercings give me a quick way to change my appearance and the whole process gives me some peace. It’s a good way to quiet some of my anxiety; when I go ‘under the needle’ I can feel the world quiet around me, be one with my own body, and walk out of the studio with something that makes me feel good! I’m not an amazing artist like the tattooers that I work alongside, although I do enjoy being creative. This is a way for me to set myself apart from the other people in my studio, and get out my creative itches in a way I’m more skilled in practicing! Art comes in every shape and form, even jewelry through the skin, so that’s my kind of art. I am honing in on what my “brand” is since I’m still new, but that is the baseline for me. To be a part of someone’s healing process and give them a place to feel good, that’s my end goal.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That’s a hard question. I’ve learned a lot about myself, the industry, and others in my journey thus far, so pinpointing something specifically that I’ve taken away from my experience is difficult!
I’d say the most important lesson I’ve learned from my journey might be how to hold a good standard for myself without the comparison of other people getting in the way. It’s hard for anyone not to compare themselves to others, that’s how you keep up in life for the most part; I put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect and it tends to cloud me even further. That’s a habit I’ve been working on for a while now, but starting a new career while changing something so instilled in yourself has proven to be a very hard thing for me. I look at other people’s social media and the work they do, and think, “well, I should be there right now!” Instead of just being proud for where I am now compared to where I started, I compare myself and my work to people who are not in my same situation. I’ve grown a lot in just a few months and gained a new skill, that’s an accomplishment all on its own! I just forget that sometimes, and have to bring myself back to reality: I am new, I am learning, and there’s no reason I won’t’ be that successful in the future. That being said, I’ve done a lot of reflection on how I can change that and what that change would do for me. Maybe, I would trust myself a bit more, or even wave some of my everyday anxiety. I haven’t quite gotten the hang of it yet (and it is important to keep up to standards in the industry) but I’m working on it. It’s been a good lesson for me outside of work, as well, so I that’s why it’s the most impactful lesson for me so far!
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