Kristy McKinney, a Barrie resident, believes tattoo artists should earn a fair wage. After years of working in various shops and feeling underpaid, McKinney decided to open her own parlour to ensure artists receive a better share of their earnings.
“I wanted to open my own shop where artists would get a higher percentage,” she said. “I wanted them to focus on their craft without worrying about their pay.”
In 2021, McKinney launched Velaris Ink in Barrie. Recently, on May 1, she expanded her business with a second location on Davis Drive in Newmarket.
McKinney has been honing her craft for about 12 years. Originally from Toronto, she started tattooing in New Brunswick, completed an apprenticeship there, and later moved to Quebec before settling in Barrie a decade ago.
Tattooing is McKinney’s passion. She enjoys connecting with clients and believes her work can significantly impact their lives. “It’s an honor to do work for someone, whether it’s a tribute to a loved one or a piece of custom artwork,” she said.
Inspired by a friend who opened a shop, McKinney decided to start her own business. However, her first shop in Barrie came with challenges, including staffing issues. She rebranded the store from Spellbinders to Velaris Ink, which reignited her enthusiasm for the business.
Her love for anime led her to open the Newmarket location. McKinney felt there wasn’t enough demand for anime designs in Barrie and didn’t want to compete in Toronto. “Newmarket was close enough to attract clientele interested in my work, especially pop culture designs,” she explained.
The Newmarket shop features drawings of modern anime characters on its walls. McKinney ensures her shop caters to all tattoo styles and strives to provide a comfortable experience for clients.
She also aims to create a positive environment for her artists. “I want artists to feel appreciated and not just like cash cows,” she said. “My goal is to help every artist gain the confidence to open their own private studio.”
McKinney continues to learn from her experiences and is dedicated to improving her business for both her clients and artists.