Meet Julie Frances | Tattoo Artist & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Frances and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started Easy Peasy because I wanted to create the kind of tattoo studio I couldn’t find in Miami, one that reflected my own design style, supported alternative tattooing, and felt truly welcoming. So many shops take a big cut from artists, control their schedules, or filter communication through a front desk. But I wanted to build a space that felt fair and personal. My clients liked talking to me directly, and I wanted to give other artists that same opportunity, to work at their own pace, build real connections with their clients, and make work that’s meaningful. I also wanted to support more alternative styles of tattooing and build a space where people who might not feel comfortable in more traditional shops could feel at home. At the time, there weren’t many shops accepting guest artists either, so Easy Peasy became a place where artists of all kinds, local and visiting, could thrive creatively and sustainably.

What should our readers know about your business?
Easy Peasy is a tattoo studio in Miami that’s artist-owned and community-minded. We focus on alternative tattoo styles and creating a safe, welcoming space, centering queer folks, people of color, and anyone who’s felt out of place in traditional shops. What sets us apart is our values: we prioritize fairness for artists, flexibility in scheduling, and real one-on-one relationships between artists and clients. We don’t run things like a factory. We give artists room to breathe, to create, and to connect.

I’m really proud of the space we’ve built. Not just how it looks, but how it feels. I wanted it to be a place where people feel good being themselves, whether they’re getting tattooed or creating.

It definitely hasn’t always been “easy peasy”. I didn’t come from a business background, so I had to learn everything as I went, how to manage a studio, navigate permits, handle taxes, support a team, and deal with all the chaos that comes with running a small business. There were times I felt overwhelmed or unsure if it would work, but I kept going because I believed in the vision. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that trusting your gut and staying aligned with your values really does pay off, even if the road is slower.

What I want people to know about Easy Peasy is that it’s more than just a tattoo shop. It’s a love letter to the kind of creative life I wanted to live, and an open invitation to others who want the same.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
LOVE this question as a person who is a local and really enjoys showing Miami off.

First stop is always A La Folie Cafe for breakfast, then straight to The Standard. We’ll spend a whole day poolside, maybe a treatment at the spa, definitely watching the sun set over the bay. It’s the ultimate reset. You’re surrounded by water and lush green plants, caught between views of the city and South Beach, and if we’re lucky, we might even spot a dolphin. No matter how many times I go, it still feels like a secret you’ve just stumbled into.

From there, I have a mental map of spots that each offer a different flavor of Miami. I love taking people to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. For food, we’ve got to hit Boia De or Walrus Rodeo, which are absolutely worth the hype. Sunny’s Steakhouse is another favorite, especially if we want something intimate and sexy with old-school Miami energy.

I always include a mix of high-low, fancy and spontaneous. We’ll grab cafecito at Tinta y Café, tacos at Uptown 66, and a classic greasy slice at Steve’s Pizza. If there’s a good film playing, we’ll hit Rooftop Cinema or the Night Owl Drive-In.

Some of my favorite Miami moments are outdoors. Paddle-boarding in Sunset Harbor with a cooler full of wine and snacks, flying a kite at Haulover Beach, or waking up early to catch the sunrise at South Pointe Park.

And of course, I always want guests to feel the energy of Miami’s queer scene, karaoke at Over Under on Wednesdays is non-negotiable, and Double Stubble at Gramps on Thursdays is pure joy. If there’s a queer swamp walk going on, sign us up!

Saturday wine tastings at Sobre Mesa, the Legion Park Farmer’s Market, avocado toast at Surry Hills, a nightcap at Bar Kaiju or Gramp’s Getaway, they’re all on the list. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I have a google maps list with about 300 places saved!

It’s not about doing everything, it’s about feeling everything: the calm, the connection, the playfulness, the flavor.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
No Good Tattoo in Austin was the first shop I ever guested at. When I saw how they ran their studio, it opened my mind to possibilities I hadn’t considered before. At the end of the day I’m a self taught artist, with no mentor to officially claim me, but I do owe a lot to the tattoo artists at Iris Tattoo back in 2018 who very kindly answered all my questions and supported me in whatever way they could.

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