Meet Jess Lee | Resident tattoo artist @whiterabbit.studios

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

Hi Jess, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As far back as I remember, I was always hustling. After a few years in the military, I joined the corporate world. Although I loved my job as a user experience / graphic designer, I wanted to be able to work and make my own schedule. It took several years and several failures to finally find my passion. Today, I own and operate a tattoo studio and get to travel from coast to coast helping people have that x-factor they’ve always wanted. I love the flexibility, the people, the art, even the stress, and navigating the unknowns. I think I am thriving whenever I look back, but in the moment, it’s a lot of hard-work. That being said, wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was always a fan of design. didn’t matter what, interior design, ux design, game design, to art design. it was one of those obsessions with clean lines, clarity of organization, and simplicity of the art that kept me in the corporate world as an interaction designer and UX architect to now, doing delicate nano brow tattoos to Korean inspired art on people’s skin. same principles, same perfection, different application and different display platform. I practice a ton and force myself to learn how to be the best in what I do, because when you have a tattoo machine, even if you use semi-permanent ink, it’s a tattoo on someone’s body or face. everyone will see it, everyone will judge it, and there is a story behind every piece of work. Although I take that part seriously, I never take myself seriously and try to keep that silly vibe.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Occasionally, as a small business owner, I have some down time. sometimes it’s just a few hours and other times, it could be a week or two. If you don’t see me in New York City’s Korea Town, I am somewhere across the world trying to see the art and architecture wonders of other cultures. I don’t mind an occasional whiskey or concert, but no matter what, I am never alone and always surrounded by people who are my best friends and family. Without them, none of this would be possible.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am truly grateful to my family for instilling in me the importance of being independent while dependable. Over the years, they have sacrificed so much for me and my sisters, and it’s great to be in a position to help. Also, to my ride or die, and close friends that were with me when things were rough and when we toasted champagnes, without your support and willing to spread the word, my business would not be as successful as it is.

Website: https://www.followthewhiterabbitstudios.com

Instagram: @jleetattoo

Other: @whiterabbit.studios