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Why I Built TATT BIZ “Beyond the Chair”
(The Course the Tattoo Industry Pretends Isn’t Needed) https://tattsbiz.podia.com/ I’m Erika Armstrong. 25+ years tattooing, custom-painting hot rods, and airbrushing anything that stands still long enough. I’ve owned shops, worked in shops, guest-spotted, and I’ve watched more talented artists burn out or walk away broke than I can count. And after every single one of those conversations, the same sentence always came up: “If I had known what it was really like… I wouldn’t b
Nov 224 min read
The Kat Von D Lawsuit – An Artist’s Perspective on Envy, Malice, and the Fight for Tattoo Art
/ https://tattsbiz.podia.com/ As a 'small-fry' tattoo artist, slinging ink at the cripsy kritter end of the planet—Australia, to be precise. With over 25 years in the game across two countries, I’ve tattooed everything from Iron Maiden album covers to Metallica’s ninja star (at least 20 times, no less), full Marvel and Star Wars sleeves, and even Disney characters. It’s what we do: we take a client’s passion, a 2D image, and transform it into a 3D masterpiece on skin that mov
Oct 257 min read
When a Customer Client Becomes a Predator:
Crown of living snakes. Eyes that have seen too much. Body covered in the tattoos I gained as signatures, when no one else protected me.
I am Medusa, reborn. And my snakes are fucking beautiful.
Erika B Armstrong
5 days ago15 min read
Live TATTOO Court Cases & Legal Firestorms Rocking the Tattooing Industry
(As of December 4, 2025) The ink world is no stranger to drama, but right now the legal battles are surprisingly quiet on the “blockbuster” front—no new multi-million-dollar headline-grabbers have dropped. What we do have are a handful of slow-burning, high-stakes cases and controversies that could still reshape how tattoo artists work, get paid, and protect themselves. From a celebrity appeal that could force every artist to start licensing reference photos, to viral defamat
Dec 44 min read
Passing the Torch, 1st of December 2025
Today I finally set up the TATT'S BIZ - Beyond the Chair – Course... No fireworks yet, but that’s tattooing: slow, steady, permanent. While the first enrolments roll in, I’m doing something more important: publishing the letter that has lived on my studio wall for almost ten years. Word for word. No shrinking it, no chopping it up. Because every sentence in it is still guiding me. “I want you to know I’m no different from anyone else — I question my worth and who I am, and
Nov 304 min read
Relativity in the Tattoo Industry: Sabotage, Starved Artists, and the Ignored Boom in Demand
TATT'S BIZ In the tattoo world, the drama often feels like a high-stakes soap opera—reputations get shredded, alliances fracture, and behind-the-scenes sabotage runs rampant. It's a volatility that's all too common, with artists frequently undermining each other through gossip, poaching clients, or worse. Why does this happen so often? After years in the trenches, I've pinpointed the root cause: "starved artist syndrome." This toxic mindset stems from scarcity, where creator
Nov 265 min read
Pre–Federal Budget Submission 2022–2023: Proposal to replace the Tattoo Card with a Criminal History Check Card, as it contains no Competency Assessment.
“The Tattoo Industry is not recognized as a retail entity; its business structure is lackadaisical with obstructed business fundamentals. Is the Australian Government receiving accurate tax revenue from this industry? Is it about time it is evaluated and the risk removed?” Submission from me (I used my covid 6 month + business closure, time to potentially carve a better path forward or at least try to). With this submission, I would like to introduce the tattoo industry as it
Nov 227 min read
When “Poor Upkeep” Becomes Their Lame Excuse for negligent repairs and failing to uphold the duty of care.
Me VS Insurer / Repairer Tactic time - Yes, they’ve tried to pin this mess on me, claiming: I’m trying to “scam” a full restoration on my 1940 custom truck after an engine fire!—When I offered and did, handle the cosmetic paintwork myself at no cost to them at all... I lied about my policy or how I used my vehicle—despite my broker confirming the coverage matched my intended use, far beyond just “club registration.” I was honest from the outset. I neglected my truck’s maint
Oct 252 min read
Automotive Restoration Shop - The Importance of Leadership Accountability in Upholding Workplace Standards
In any organization, the responsibility for maintaining ethical standards, fostering a professional work environment, and ensuring operational integrity lies squarely with those at the top—directors and senior management. When leadership fails to implement and uphold robust systems, or allows staff to operate without accountability, the resulting dysfunction cannot be blamed on lower-level employees. This blog explores the critical role of leadership in preventing coercive an
May 34 min read
Revolutionizing the Automotive Restoration Industry with a Tiered System for Transparency and Trust
The automotive restoration industry is a realm of passion, craftsmanship, and cherished dreams, where families often embark on a once-in-a-lifetime project to restore a classic car that holds deep sentimental value. Like purchasing a home, restoring a vehicle is a significant, life-changing endeavour that should be exciting, memorable, and fulfilling. Yet, far too many customers are left with nightmarish experiences—tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket, incomplete proje
May 37 min read
Money Laundering Mayhem: The Day a Scam Nearly Destroyed My TATTOO Business
Here in Australia, it’s critical to understand that “cleaning money” through laundering, no matter the circumstances, is a serious crime that will land you in Jail. Let me share a quick story, and I’ll wrap it up with some crucial takeaways at the end. @fuellingtomorrow A few years after the Bondi housing scam, I launched my own Tattoo business. We often received leads from interested parties who emailed us for quotes or service bookings. So, when an email arrived from an old
Apr 274 min read
AFCA - The ILLUSION of Justice!
Is AFCA – The Australian Financial Complaints Authority an illusion of Justice Let’s explore — disclaimer: this is my perspective, based on my own experiences and those shared by others. @fuellingtomorrow Let’s unpack the bias and fairness of the firms set up to navigate the financial industry — insurance companies and banks. From my perspective, they are biased, unfair, and provide no real justice. And just so it’s clear: AFCA operates under a prejudicial framework — yet ano
Apr 2711 min read
AFCA: NO JUSTICE – My 2.5-Year Fight for Negligent Repairs - Accountability
📅 22 April 2025 ✍️ By Erika Armstrong To the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), My name is Erika Armstrong. I am submitting this formal complaint regarding the chronic mishandling of my insurance claim by Allianz Australia Insurance , its underwriting agent Dawes Underwriting Australia Pty Ltd (a member of the Steadfast Group ), and their appointed repairer, Gold Coast Restorations Australia Pty Ltd . But more critically, I am raising serious concerns
Apr 224 min read
Me VS INSURER - My Fight for Fairness: A Broken Truck and a f' RIGGED System!!
You Tube @ Life In The Hard Lane The Purpose of Insurance... Apparently, anyways. At its core, insurance exists to protect people and businesses from financial loss . You pay a premium to an insurer, and in return, they promise to cover specific risks — like accidents, damage, illness, or theft — so that if the worst happens, you’re not left bearing the full cost. Insurance is meant to provide security, peace of mind, and risk management , allowing individuals and companies t
Apr 74 min read
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Fuel for Tomorrow
1. TATT’S BIZ – Beyond the Chair A blood, sweat, and ink business system and training program built from 20+ years in the tattoo industry. Lessons from a veteran who’s lost shops, survived wars, and rebuilt stronger—multiple times.
2. FUELED FOR TOMORROW A no-filter channel dedicated to sharing hard-earned lessons and turning them into your unfair advantage.
Together, this fuels Tomorrow’s Playbook—where business battles become breakthroughs, red tape gets shredded, and “impossible” turns into achieved. I drop raw, actionable truth bombs. If you’ve ever been crushed for standing your ground, silenced for telling the truth, or punished for refusing to quit—this channel is your war room. We name the pain. We weaponize the lesson. Subscribe. Let’s fuel tomorrow—today.
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