Eliesha Perry, lead tattooist and owner of Enigma Tattoo in Irymple has been working in the tattoo industry for almost a decade. Her gained experience and commitment to furthering her skills has vastly developed both her expertise and her work’s credibility. This is arguably why Eliesha’s business has been a success and why after almost two years of business ownership, she has decided to expand. Eliesha sat down with Danielle Wilcock to discuss her business journey. Picture: Ben Gross
AFTER spending time travelling and working in Brisbane, Eliesha found herself moving back to Sunraysia permanently in February 2018.
Less than two years after opening Engima Tattoo in Irymple, she has now taken the next step in her career and opened a second shop in the Mildura CBD.
The tattooist admits her creative eye was something developed at a young age.
“I’ve always been creative, something that I get from my father. I’ve known that I always wanted to do tattooing,” she says.
“When I was 18, I tried to get some teaching from a tattooist here but that didn’t work out, so I did give up a bit. I lost sight of it and then I had children.
Eliesha explains that it was a chance conversation with another local tattooist more than 10 years ago that effectively changed the course of her life.
“I explained to him that tattooing was something that I always wanted to do and I gave him my portfolio and he said yes to giving me a chance. I worked with him as a resident artist,” she explains.
Since establishing Enigma Tattoo in March 2018, its reputation has gone from strength to strength.
“I spent the two years before I set up Enigma Tattoo in Brisbane working for different studios and with lots of different artists. I grew so much,” she says.
“My time there really developed my skills. I met so many good and bad people but it was all great experience.
“I don’t really think about what I’ve achieved, I haven’t really given myself time to stop and think about it.
“I think this is because it’s still quite new and I’m still building. I still have lots of future plans.”
Eliesha explained the skills recognition process and what’s required in order to operate as a credible and qualified tattooist in Australia.
“I have been a professional tattooist now for almost 10 years and only in Queensland and New South Wales do tattooists need a license but this unfortunately doesn’t mean that they are credible or good at tattooing,” she says.
“It only means that they aren’t practicing in a criminal way.
“Fingerprints, history checks and palm prints are all required and kept on record, they have to be renewed every few years.”
Eliesha explains that in the remaining states, anyone can quite simply practice as a tattooist.
“I strongly feel that these requirements should be nationwide, not just applied in two states,” Eliesha states.
“I have held a license in both states and still currently hold my Queensland license and infection control certificate.
“I would suggest that anyone considering getting a tattoo should do their research. Research your artist and check out their work before you make up your mind.”
As an established local businesswoman, Eliesha talks about her business experience and identified some of the challenges she’s encountered in both the setting up and running of her business.
“I learnt very quickly that you can’t sweat the small stuff. Not everything runs to plan and you can’t please everyone all of the time,” she says. “When I went to look at the premises for Enigma in Irymple in December 2017, it was terrible.
“But I could vision what it would look like. It took a lot of work to get ready but we started straight away and opened just over three months later.
“I was building Enigma while living in Brisbane and managing an interstate move back home. It wasn’t easy.
“I learnt you can’t let all the small things get to you, setting up a business can be a very stressful and unhealthy experience.”
Eliesha has evidently worked hard to achieve the vision that she had for her business and the ways in which it would be run.
“I had an idea for years about how I would run a studio if I was ever to open one. I always wanted something different and relaxing. I actually planned my vision for Engima for a long time,” she says.
“I wanted to create a positive space for every single person who entered to feel comfortable and not intimidated.
“What’s most important to me is for my clients to have a great tattoo experience and I think I’ve achieved that.”
Eliesha explains the significance of the business name she chose.
“I manifested Enigma. The definition of enigma is a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand,” she says. “I think this explains what tattoos are and what they mean to people.”
Her second studio, also called Enigma Tattoo is located on Eighth Street in the heart of Mildura’s CBD.
“We opened on October 5 and this is an extension of Enigma Tattoo in Irymple, but it’s a different vibe, it’s like a city studio,” she says.
“We will have more walk ins here whereas Irymple is by appointment only.”
Eliesha explains how her team and clients have helped to alleviate some of the pressures of the expansion.
“There will always be issues when opening up a new business but I have a great crew and they have really helped me out,” she says.
“I am so proud of them all, some even moved here to work for me and I am extremely grateful to them for all they have and continue to do.
“I am really lucky as we have some awesome clients that are extremely understanding, supportive and loyal. They’ve been very patient with us through the entire process.”
She elaborates further on her second studio and the services it will provide to the local community.
“Having the second studio allows for more space to allow more guest artists to visit, encouraging talent to the area,” she says.
“We will be able to welcome the guest artists back, some of them come from overseas, such as Japan and Canada.
“It opens up opportunities for new artists to join our team and include new services.”
Eliesha had recently undertaken additional training in order to further expand and develop her skills in the realms of cosmetic tattooing.
“It was a great experience and I aim to incorporate this into my business,” she says.
“I hope to learn more in order to provide more of these services,” she says.
“I’m a workaholic and that will never change, I definitely have plans for the future and new projects. If I don’t have something to focus on I do get bored.
“I would love to one day take a step back and spend more time with my children.
“This is why it’s important I work hard and continue to do what I do.”
