ST. GEORGE —After repeatedly being told she wouldn’t make it, one tattoo artist is about to open her own shop, empowering other women to ignore the haters and prove them wrong through their success.

“If nothing else, I’m glad that I was able to show all those people that told me that my career was an ‘adorable hobby’ that not only was I able to — within a year — survive, but I have been able to thrive in this environment,” Alyssa Hale said. “This is my career. This is the legacy that I’m going to be leaving.”

Hale, 24, who owns both Medusas Ink and the brand-new Medusas Aesthetics, said opening her own tattoo shop is a dream come true.

With five female tattoo artists along with space for five aesthetic booths such as lash artists and permanent makeup, she’s encouraging talented women to step into their power.

While the tattoo and piercing industry can be cutthroat and toxic, she said she’s doing what she can to change the narrative.

Growing up, Hale said she loved art in all forms and was constantly creating “Sharpie tattoos” for friends. With no rules, she said she found art to be a safe place she could turn to. 

“At the end of the day, art is subjective,” Hale said. “Art is whatever you want it to be. Art can literally be splatting paints or using charcoal — one of my favorite things. My opinion is that if you’re not getting messy with it, then it’s not working.”

Raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hale said tattoos were known to be taboo and sinful. When she decided to get her first tattoo at 18, she sat outside the tattoo studio with her mother. She cried, asking her if what she was doing was wrong.

“My mom said, ‘Well, honey, do you feel like this is bad? No? Is this how you’re telling your story? If this is how you’re telling your story then this is how you’re going to do it,'” she said.

Her father, also in awe of the tattoo work she creates, has been heavily involved in the studio renovations. Having the support of her religious parents means the world to her, she said, and has pushed her to pursue her passions.

As she felt the call to become a tattoo artist herself, she quickly learned how hard the tattoo industry can be, especially for females. After approaching multiple shops in an attempt to get a tattoo apprenticeship, she said they wouldn’t look at her art or her artistic capablities. Instead, they were quick to assume she wouldn’t make it. Constantly hearing that her desire to be a tattoo artist was a ‘cute’ idea and an ‘adorable hobby,’ she refused to give up.

“They are the people that motivated me,” she said. “The best way to show success is to be successful. The best way to prove them wrong is to just do it. If you want to call me adorable, that’s fine. I’ll be adorable killing it in business over here.”

She finally found a mentor willing to give her a chance, and she quit her full-time job and went all-in on tattooing. And friends she gave Sharpie tattoos to were some of her first clients.

If finding a tattoo mentor wasn’t hard enough, it didn’t get any easier when she was ready to open a shop of her own. She spoke with many building owners about her tattoo concept, who instantly assumed the shop would be dirty or attract a certain crowd. After being turned down repeatedly, she finally acquired a location next to Ace Hardware on Bluff Street and St. George Boulevard, with building owners who she said excitedly embraced her business concept.

Because her mentor gave her a chance when no one else would, she’s providing that same service to other inspiring female tattoo artists. She’s had three apprentices under her and is soon to take on a fourth. Each one of the tattoo artists she mentors has experienced the same thing she did — being told they wouldn’t make it, they didn’t have thick enough skin, or other excuses to not let them in the door. All four will soon have their own booth at Medusas Aesthetics.

“Someone gave me a shot and took a chance on me, that’s all I needed and look where I’m at now,” she said. “If someone had not given me that shot, I wouldn’t be where I’m at. If I can catalyst their career into something that’s going to be beautiful, why would I say no?”

As for the name “Medusa,” Hale said in Ancient Greece, a Medusa head above an establishment meant it was a safe and protective place for women – something she plans to embody in her shop. Each person will walk out with more than just a tattoo or aesthetic treatment — they will love the people in the shop and the experience, she said. 

As for her own tattoo work, Hale specializes in single-needle black and gray fine art. She said her work is fluid, with many pieces like an illustration out of a book. She enjoys snakes, dragons, fish and a variety of florals, which all flow with each individual’s body.

“Whoever is coming to me is trusting me to put something beautiful on their body that is permanent,” she said. “I’m going to be a part of someone’s story. I get to be a part of that plotline for them, and I’ve always loved that.”

In school, her brother wrote a paper on her titled, “My Temple My Choice,” and she plans to have that neon slogan on a mirror inside Medusas Aesthetics.

“Temples are decorated,” Hale said. “They’ve got sculptures. They’ve got art all over the walls. So decorate your temple however you feel you need to to have that be a holy or beautiful place for you.”

A grand opening celebration for Medusas Aesthetics will take place on March 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include a variety of local vendors and booths, a photographer and DJ, along with food and prizes. Prizes include a $300 tattoo credit from Medusas Ink. All attendees will receive a raffle ticket and those that spend money at the local vendors will receive additional tickets. Donations will also be set up to benefit the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

“I love the fact that it’s a women-owned and operated business,” Hale said about Medusas Aesthetics.

For more information follow @Medusas.Ink.co or Medusas.aesthetics on Instagram.

Event details

• What: Medusas Aesthetics grand opening
• When: Saturday, March 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Where: Medusas Aesthetics, 430 W. 145 N., St. George
• Admission: Free
• For more information visit the event page

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