Daily Inspiration: Meet Garrett Rautio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Garrett Rautio.

Garrett, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Co-owning a studio prior to Black Coffin, taught me many things. Most importantly, how NOT to conduct business. I decided that I wanted to get out of that business partnership. I wasn’t interested in owning another studio. I just wanted to focus myself, and my art. But I really wanted to access clients from not just Saint Paul, but Minneapolis, as well. You know how it goes… Minneapolis people don’t go to Saint Paul, and Saint Paul people don’t go to Minneapolis… Scouting around for a studio to work at, after 15 years of tattooing already, I was concerned that I wouldn’t always agree with the way another owner might operate. I wanted to get out of Saint Paul, but was afraid that if I went too far, that my clients would not follow.

I was cruising around University and 280, looking to see if there was a studio around….. There wasn’t. “But it’s such an ideal location,” I told myself. I mean, right in the middle of how ever many Universities, in LITERALLY the middle of the Twin Cities! I saw a “For Lease” sign at 2500 University.

I signed the lease on one unit, (there were three adjacent ones to choose from) in 2015. I jokingly said to the Landlord that “One day, I’ll have all three of these units”. She laughed. I laughed.

We started out with myself and two other Tattoo Artists. Slowly, a few others joined the crew.

Then 2017 comes around… A few friends said that they’d like to work with me. “OK,” I thought. I’ll rent the next space. At this time, there were now 9 or 10 Tattoo Artists. Then… COVID hit.

Like everyone else, we were shut down for 3 months. We didn’t know if we’d ever go back to work again… Finally, we were allowed to reopen… But I wanted to do something more….

So in July of 2020, I reached out to my Landlord… I said “Guess what…” she said “No, you’re kidding me!” I said, “yup… I’ll take that third spot.

In September 2020, we opened the new addition… But now we offered piercing! There are currently 20 artists that call Black Coffin Tattoo home. It’s been a helluva ride!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s never easy, but I have been very fortunate. I have made mostly good, well-thought-out decisions, and learned from my bad ones. That can be expensive! Most of the struggles I’ve had with Black Coffin Tattoo are minimal. But hiring the wrong crew can definitely affect a business such as this. Once you get rid of the bad apples, life is easier. Recognizing the negative situations, and how cancerous they can be, can really make a difference. Again, it goes without mention, that COVID really affected us for a few months. But ever since we’ve reopened, it’s been busy! We are very fortunate!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am just a Tattoo Artist. I have been for 21 years now. I currently specialize in dark, creepy tattoo imagery. My client list is long and diverse. You’d be surprised at how many people love skulls, graveyards, and other things that go bump in the night! As far as what I’m proud of, I’m proud of my crew. They are the best group of people I’ve ever had the chance to work with. We are all so different here at the studio. We all specialize in something different from the next person. it’s such a great, creative, and inspiring environment to be in.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you treat your crew with respect, they’ll work with you. These artists at the studio don’t work for me. They work with me. A tight bond like that is worth more than anything in the world of business… At least this type of business!

Contact Info:

• Email: blackcoffintattoo@gmail.com
• Website: www.blackcoffintattoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackcoffintattoo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackcoffintattoo

Image Credits
@beegats