Tym Roth’s artistic journey has come full circle, from drawing on walls as a child to running his own tattoo shop in Manasquan. Growing up in an artistic family in Freehold and Howell, Roth always had a passion for drawing. This love for creativity eventually led him to leave a successful corporate career to pursue his dream of becoming a tattoo artist.
In 2022, Roth opened The Dark Matter Tattoo Co. in Manasquan, a shop that prides itself on creating “permanent tattoos for your temporary vessel.” The shop has become a space where clients can express their individuality through the art of tattooing.
“I used to draw on the walls as a kid, and my mother always reminds me of that,” said Roth, 38, who now resides in Howell. “Art was one of the few subjects I truly took seriously in school.”
Despite his passion for art, Roth chose a more conventional path after high school. He worked for 12 years at Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing facility in Rahway, eventually becoming the union secretary. His role took him around the world, negotiating union contracts and handling arbitration.
However, in 2018, when the facility was set to relocate to another state, Roth found himself at a career crossroads. He was offered a transfer to California but chose to stay in New Jersey, refusing to leave the Jersey Shore.
“I saw this as a chance to do something different,” Roth said. “I decided I would either open a tattoo shop or a food truck.”
The idea of tattooing won out. At 31, Roth began his journey into the tattoo industry with no formal training. He started working towards the 2,000 hours of training required for a state license. Roth reached out to local tattoo artists and secured an apprenticeship with a longtime acquaintance, Lauren, who became his mentor.
“I told her about my love for the art, my willingness to learn, and my professional experience,” Roth recalled. “I was fortunate to get the apprenticeship, and it was a great experience working alongside her for several years.”
As his career evolved and Roth became a father, the desire for more flexibility grew. This led him to open a solo salon suite in Wall in February 2022, under the name Kno Good Art. However, he soon outgrew the space and missed the walk-in environment and community feel of a town shop.
“I’m an avid surfer and skateboarder, so I knew I wanted to be at the Shore,” he said. “Manasquan had no tattoo shop, and I found the perfect location on Curtis Avenue.”
Now, with The Dark Matter Tattoo Co., Roth has created a space that reflects both his personal passion for tattoo art and his desire to be part of the local community, blending his love of creativity with his entrepreneurial spirit.
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