
Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
At age 37, Malissa Booth entered the tattooing industry, hoping to get a part-time job after she was laid off. But it became more than just a hobby for her. Here she is tattooing her apprentice in her shop.

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
While training, Booth focused her tattooing skills on crafting new and creative designs. Nowadays, she draws out all her costumers' tattoo designs herself.

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
When Booth purchased her own tattoo shop, she wanted to give it a more artistic vibe compared to the other shops where she'd worked.

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
At her shop, Booth features artwork on the walls that is inspired by her travels to New Orleans and her love of Creole and Mexican heritage.

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
Booth creates tattoos that are not only artistic but also whimsical at times. She works closely with her clients to create personal pieces for them.

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
"The stories I hear as a tattoo artist ... some are sad, some are funny, some scare the hell out of me. But every day is a different day and you never know where you will end up," Booth said.

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
"What resonates with me as a tattoo artist are the cancer survivors, the 80-year-old women that come in, the people that I have tattooed that have passed on since I built a bond with them," she said.

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
"I think there is a maternal instinct in me that makes me want to look out for people," Booth said. "So when customers come in and want a ridiculous tattoo, I usually tell them to pick something that they would be proud of."

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
This owl was Booth's first tattoo five years ago. That was when she started apprenticing after she lost her management job at a travel company.

Mom's take on what a tattoo shop should be —
When she looks at the tattoos she did in the past and compares them to what she is doing now, she is amazed by her progress as a tattooer and an artist. She says it's never too late to make a career change.


