Today we’d like to introduce you to Moya Maffett.
Moya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Body art actually was not something that i ever dreamed of pursuing at all. It really was a call for me honestly. It was a moment in my car of wanting a tattoo for my baby that i lost. However, still worth that, I have a long background of art and my father is also an amazing artist. My parents are the ones that taught me how to appreciate art in all its forms. I was driving in the car and thought ….i need this tattoo but I don’t wanna pay for it, I could probably do it myself?, I wonder how much an apprenticeship costs?. And those 5 minutes led me to get my portfolio of all my art i would sell. Paintings, Sketches… everything. I called multiple shops to go in and interview regarding a apprenticeship. Multiple turned backs and turned me down, all to meet the perfect place and begin apprenticing with my boss. At that point, I did not only become the only black female artist at all 3 ink and needle locations but also top earning artist, which is where it all begin.
I worked almost 15 jobs from age 14 until becoming a business owner at 37. Went to school and lived multiple versions of myself and lives that created the woman you see before you. I went to school for criminal justice just knowing I would be working with the justice system. All to completely hate it and found it was the last thing i wanted to do lol. I was working a full time position when i apprenticed with my Boss Bill, I remember going through getting laid off and pursuing other positions. The man that gave me the chance asked me… How much do you make? And promised me i would make double that. And .. I did. From there I became Top earner for a nice stretch of time, left there with the teachings I was taught and my own research for other techniques done from japan and Europe, having a phenomenal background in customer service and a business oriented mind and that all together created Clean LNZ Art Collective while pregnant with my first daughter at age 37.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A smooth road i imagine to be, without struggle, trials, bumps, and/or difficulty. LOL I would have to honestly say not at all. I was going through a high risk pregnancy all while driving back and forth from lansing to Detroit for about 7 months working at the old shop and getting the new one ready and working in that one too. It was a very rough road. When it came to the paperwork and getting everything in, trying to find grants and loans, morning sickness lol strategically planning on when I would be moving into me and my boyfriends apartment while he was moving from another state, and just all the other moving parts as far as the studio was concerned, Money and doctor appts …wheeew i would say its by far been one of my most difficult roads. And then… having my baby in what’s considered our slow season, moving to a new place with no clientele built and not being able to have an actual maternity leave…. It was a lot to say the least…. But God prevailed
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
So I am a Tattoo/Body art Artist and Owner of Clean Lnz Art Collective. I create beautiful and intimate pieces for individuals who want to express whatever they feel on their exteriors of their bodies. I specialize in Soft Realism, Neo and American Traditional, Abstract and fluid pieces, However, I am known for my soft realism and beautifully enough my Customer service in wanting to treat others how i would like to be treated.
To be honest I think I am most proud of the determination and staying motivated through all of the trials and tribulations i have been through. But mostly .. mostly, how we make people feel when they come in from when they exit our studio. Always with smiles and happiness and fulfillment because we took the time to be sure that they received and walked away with not only the best experience, but with something they are unbelievably happy with ….the tears are always the best. Or the “Can I hug you?”. It literally fills our hearts to give people a place to come in, be themselves and receive everything that they want and need at my door.
I am also very proud of being able to do all this and also be a first time mom! Wow what a blessing to be able to run my studio have artists and come home and be the best mom i can be. I don’t know… But I’m super super proud of being able to juggle all of that. I never dreamed i could…. But…here i am, doing it with Gods grace and mercy!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would like to add… that little moment in your car, walking down the street, laying in bed and you hear a small whisper of something telling you to go do that thing….. Go do it. That’s all it takes, a small step in that direction and you wont believe how natural it will come to you if you keep going for it. That is your gift, your passion, your future and first and foremost God telling you what you need to go do. It will be simple and easy and soft when you hear or see or notice it and it’s easy to look over…. But DONT. It happens like that. People usually wait for a big moment to present itself or a smack in the face of what they think their purpose is… and it usually doesn’t happen that way. I. Know i used to think it did… I’m here to tell you. A little thought in a moment and 5 minutes can change your life…. And if you keep God in it the whole way through its for sure to flourish. Always no matter what … enjoy your journey and process of whatever you are building. Nothing worth having comes easy…as long as you do these things… You will have success and a positive and beautiful experience and know that it can’t fail unless you let it.
Pricing:
- Our minimum at our shop is $90
- Our hourly is between 120-150 depending on your artist
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cleanlnzappointments.myonlineappointment.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moyabenintattoos and https://www.instagram.com/cleanlnz
