We recently had the chance to connect with Kelly Yetzer and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kelly, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
What I’m being called to do now—something I once felt unworthy or even afraid of, is help women reclaim parts of themselves they thought were lost forever.
For years, I poured my heart into creating beautiful, confidence-boosting cosmetic tattoos. But over time, I felt a deeper pull… to step into the kind of work that truly transforms—not just how a woman looks, but how she feels about herself after trauma, surgery, or loss.
Today, I’m answering that call. Whether it’s restoring what breast cancer took, softening scars left behind, or helping someone feel whole again, I’ve realized this work is about so much more than ink. It’s about healing, dignity, and reminding every woman that she’s still powerful, beautiful, and worthy of being seen.
And while that once felt overwhelming… now I know it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Kelly Yetzer—founder of BeYOUtiful Ink Studio + Academy in Little Falls, Minnesota. I’m a Licensed Body Artist with over seven years of experience in cosmetic and paramedical tattooing, and I’ve built my studio around one simple but powerful mission: to help women feel seen, heard, and beautiful in their own skin.
At BeYOUtiful Ink, we specialize in natural-looking enhancements like nano brows, lip blush, and permanent eyeliner, as well as restorative tattooing—such as 3D areola restoration, scar camouflage, and inkless stretch mark revision. What makes our studio unique isn’t just the artistry, but the experience. Every appointment is unrushed and intentional, created to give each client a moment of calm, connection, and confidence.
My work has evolved over the years, but one thing has stayed the same: I’m deeply passionate about using this craft to change lives. Whether it’s helping someone simplify their morning routine or reclaim their body after breast cancer, my goal is to make every woman feel whole, empowered, and radiant—just as she is.
Right now, I’m continuing to expand our restorative offerings and give back through free monthly areola clinics for low-income breast cancer survivors. It’s work that feeds my soul, and I’m honored to be part of so many healing journeys.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that constantly played small—the part that second-guessed whether I was enough to do this kind of deep, life-changing work—is the part I’m finally releasing.
For a long time, I felt like I had to prove myself, to quietly earn my place in the industry without drawing too much attention. I hid behind perfectionism, thinking that if I just worked hard enough behind the scenes, the right people would notice.
But that version of me has served its purpose. She helped me build something beautiful, with integrity and heart. Now it’s time to let her go.
I’m stepping into a new season. One that calls for boldness, visibility, and full ownership of my purpose. I know the work I’m doing is meaningful. I know it’s needed. And I know I’m not here to whisper. I’m here to speak up, show up, and continue helping women heal and feel whole in their own skin.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most has been the fear that people will think I’m not genuine. That I’m fake. That I’m trying to be someone I’m not.
It’s been really hard for me to show my face and use my voice on social media. Every time I hit “post,” there’s a part of me that still wonders if someone will roll their eyes or say I’m copying someone else. I’ve worried that people wouldn’t see the heart behind what I do—that they’d see the polish, the branding, but not the person.
But the truth is, everything I share comes from a very real place. This business, this work, it’s personal. It’s taken me years to find the courage to speak up, to step into my purpose, and to believe that I don’t have to be the loudest or the flashiest to be real.
I’ve learned that the people who are meant to find me will feel the difference. And the more I show up as me, the more I attract those who are looking for something deeper than just another pretty post. They’re looking for truth. For heart. For healing. And that’s exactly what I’m here to offer.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In the world of cosmetic tattooing and beauty enhancements, there are some myths that everyone repeats—some quietly, some loudly. But the most damaging ones are rooted in two dangerous beliefs:
1. The lie of “anyone can do it.”
There’s a pervasive belief that cosmetic tattooing is so simple that anyone can take a short training and begin offering all services — brows, lips, eyeliner, scar camouflage, stretch mark revision, and even areola restoration.
But the truth is, each of these techniques requires focused education, technical skill, and a deep understanding of skin, trauma, undertones, and healing. Areola restoration especially is not just a service—it’s a deeply personal, emotional, and sacred process for breast cancer survivors. Treating it like just another item on the menu undermines the gravity of what it represents.
Thinking that every artist can do everything equally well not only dilutes the artistry but also risks harming clients. Quality, safety, and integrity should never be compromised for the sake of convenience or profit.
2. The lie of “you must be loud to be impactful.”
Our industry often idolizes the loudest, flashiest social media voices or trend-driven looks—making the rest of us feel we need to shout to be seen. In reality, authentic connection and transformative results don’t come from volume, they come from empathy, attunement, and service. You build trust by showing up with heart, not by chasing trends or likes.
You don’t need to be trendy to be transformative. Some of the most powerful work happens behind the scenes, in quiet studios, where artists are holding space for women in some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
My personal truth:
I believe anyone can teach, and anyone can offer services—but that doesn’t mean they can do them well. And when you’re working on someone’s face or helping restore what cancer took away, doing it well matters more than anything.
That’s why at BeYOUtiful Ink, I choose intention over volume, depth over hype, and purpose over popularity—because this work is far too meaningful to treat as anything less.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
I’ve learned that I know I’m out of my depth when the drive just isn’t there.
For me, passion is a compass. If I feel resistance, hesitation, or a lack of connection to the work, it’s usually a sign that I’m either not fully equipped—or that it’s simply not aligned with what I’m meant to be doing. I’ve built my studio around intention, and I never want to just “go through the motions” for the sake of offering a service.
Whether it’s a technique I’m not trained in, a request that doesn’t sit right with my values, or something I can’t fully stand behind, I honor that feeling. I don’t force it. Instead, I pause, evaluate, and either pursue the education I need to do it well, or I refer out to someone I trust who can.
Knowing your limits isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. And in this kind of work—where trust, care, and transformation are everything… that self-awareness matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: Https://beyoutiful.ink
- Instagram: @beyoutifulinkmn
- Twitter: @beyoutifulinkmn
- Facebook: @beyoutifulinkmn
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/beyoutiful-ink-studio-academy-little-falls-3
- Youtube: @beyoutifulinkmn
Image Credits
Rule Creative – photos 1, 3, 4 & 5
BeYOUtiful Ink – photos 2, 6-8
