Daily Inspiration: Meet Emily Radke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Radke

Hi Emily, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was 18 I went to get my first tattoo. I had no intentions other than just that. While I was getting the tattoo I was explaining how I loved art and drawing. After showing some of my art the tattoo artist offered me an apprenticeship. I got very lucky, I was in the right place at the right time with the right person. I really didn’t know what that was so it came to be a surprise. In that time I was fully ready to attend college. My mom and dad insisted that I give tattooing a shot, and as a 18 year old for once I actually listened. I started my apprenticeship, while attending eastern and working. Once I got further in I realized tattooing needed more attention if I wanted to be good. So it was either jumping in to school or tattooing. I decided on tattooing. So I do thank my parents for believing in my skill, my drive and trades. It was a rough go at it for a while. Tattooing culture isn’t always the nicest and most pleasant. Through the years there has been a lot of uncertainty in the career due to the environments. Once I had my last baby I decided to be my own small private studio. Yet again I was in the right place and the right time with the right person. I was offered to start my business in a small room in an established business, with possibilities to grow. Soon after (very soon) I was offered to grow. I started November 2023 on the store front where we are now at. A month after we were officially opened as a full operating tattoo shop. And here we are a year later and now we’re tarring down walls and expanding! It’s been a lot of work, a lot of tears and a whole lot of drive. My shop is my second family, I am driven to be the change in tattooing culture, In home town tattoo shops. I want to give a place for tattoo artists to come work and heal, to re learn how to love the art of tattooing, to be inspired to finally feel safe. I have a beautiful shop family and I feel so lucky to have landed such amazing co workers. My mission is to help my community as well. This February will be the start to our maternity loss support group. Helping women and men heal and grieve. My shop is named after the baby I lost and my mission is being light to that topic. I have a place to hold people, and my plan is to use it for good, and growth. Just like a flower we all bloom but in order to bloom you got to get a little dirty and be willing to have others water you. We’re should never have to feel alone in this experience of life and I want people to feel that!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been the right journey for me but I can say it wasn’t always the smoothest road. I spent alot of days crying in the bathroom of the shop I started in. Getting out of that shop was pretty harsh for an 18 year old but it was a rough realization of what this world was like and what kinda skin you have to have to be a women in the tattoo industry. After that I didn’t work in another shop for about 3 years, I had a very much love hate relationship with tattooing. I went from tattooing in a shop, to being scared of jumping back into so I would set a room up in my shop, (which is very much looked frowned upon) but it was what kept me going. I moved to North Carolina then back to Michigan in the 3 years. When I moved back to Michigan I decided to start on the right page and get back into a shop. It was definitely a nice shop to start back at. After a while and after getting pregnant I decided it was just too much yet again. I really devoted myself to my new babies so it was hard to juggle both worlds personally. Once I had my third I knew I needed something for me and that was tattooing and that’s when I went on my own. And I ultimately found my way. I run my shop the way I always wanted to feel in a shop, I respect my artists, I celebrate them, i treat them like my family. The toxic work environment ends with 21 Blooms.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner of 21 Blooms. So I run the shop, and i am one of the tattoo artists there. I personally love illustrative color tattoos. They tend to look like oil paintings on the skin. When I tattoo it’s like painting just on a different kind of canvas! I am most proud of my journey and the people that I work with. There is a lot of things I can be proud of but when I think of where I am at I stand back and i look, I see all the smiling faces I work with. Without them I wouldn’t be inspired to make new art, I wouldn’t have a business and I would be alone. I think what sets me apart from other people is I truly want the best for everyone who walks through my doors. I want people to feel connected to me and my shop. I want people to feel like it’s a home away from home. I want people to leave their tattoo appointment having a tattoo and a memory that is pleasant to look back on.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think just going around to different tattoo shops and talking you can get a good sense of environment and what kinda people they are. Don’t settle for a toxic shop or mentor just cause it gets your foot in the door. You don’t want to start your tattooing journey in the wrong place. It can ruin your future. I wish I knew how important going to expos were, picking artists brain and getting inspired by all the talent! Don’t be afraid to learn and ask for feedback on art! Finding the right people and right environment is crucial to your growth! Now later in my career seminars of artists I look up to is super important, and even collaborating with other artists has been really inspiring and helpful. Putting yourself out there is key.

Pricing:

• I often try to work with budget if client is willing to be flexible with design. I usually charge $150 an hour. I really try to make tattooing as affordable as I can for the consumers! Everyone at the shop tho charges and does things. Little differently!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.21bloomstattoosstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/em.radtats/profilecard/