OPINION: Inked in Athens: A look into business owners under 35

Editor’s Note: This story first appeared in TNP’s 2023 spring print.

Jessica Horner is a first-year student studying photography and is an opinion writer for TNP.

Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.

As a thriving center for small businesses, Athens is gaining more and more young people inspired to join the crowd. Fresh out of a job, Joee Green took a chance in buying an empty space on Stimson Avenue with her husband Thomas Patrick Green. Unbeknownst to the couple, they would create what is known today as Magic Tattoo, a successful tattoo parlor.

Becoming the owner of a local business was not something Green had predicted for herself so early in life. However, when met at a crossroads, taking a chance turned into an opportunity that would solidify her career as a self-sustained artist. 

“Honestly, I never intended to own a business, especially so early in my career. I had to make a choice. The shop my husband and I worked at was closing, which could have been a very bad thing. We chose to see it as an opportunity,” Green said.

After remodeling, figuring out the basics of business and “hiring an accountant worth their weight in gold,” Green was on her way to something bigger than she could have imagined.

Magic Tattoo opened in July 2021 when Green was in her late 20s. Originally, she never saw herself working in tattoos.

“Sometimes the best things sort of just happen naturally. I’d been dating my husband for a couple years, helping around the shop and one day he asked if I’d ever wanted to tattoo,” Green said. “I said no. It’s an overwhelming kind of job at first thought. I am artistic but I have anxiety. But then I said maybe, and I threw my heart at it.” 

Two years later, after turning her love for tattoos into a living, Green is the proud, 31-year-old owner of her own shop.

“I never intended for it. I’ve been getting tattooed for almost 15 years now, and I love tattoos, but I did all kinds of things. I was a calligrapher, a vet tech, I flopped out of school–I wanted to be a physicist but paperwork made me miserable,” she said about her path.

Originally from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, Green had been living in Athens following an apprenticeship in town. “It was a chance for me to build something entirely the way I wanted to,” Green said.

Having started her own business fairly young, but as she is older than the surrounding student population, Green’s age puts her in a unique position. She feels “geriatric” in a college town of young adults in their early to mid 20s. However, her age is not the main factor turning heads. 

“The combination of being a young, female business owner is probably more impactful than just my age. I get mistaken for being the secretary pretty often. But it’s overall a positive!” Green said about being the “one willing and able to take on the responsibility of being the owner, while my husband has past experience as a business owner.”

Her vision was largely inspired by creating a welcoming place of business, while maintaining an original focus rather than creating a brand. 

“I’ve never thought about my business as having a brand, that feels inauthentic to me,” Green said. “I just want to have a shop where people feel comfortable and I get to do cool tattoos and make connections.” 

Unlike regular tattoo shops, Magic Tattoo takes a personable approach to its clientele. Through social media, they actively thank individual customers, specify which artist made the artwork and boost other artists. 

When going to Magic Tattoo, it is clear to see the love and ambition these Greens have for their careers. One customer said the atmosphere felt “warm and inviting. It was colorful and fun, making the experience that much better.”

The shop also connects with other local and visiting artists in the community, by holding guest artist events where customers can come and be tattooed in a new style by different artists. 

The Greens' own styles can be seen in every piece they do. From linework to color, you can tell it is a “Magic Tattoo” tattoo. 

“I just hope people come into the shop and feel safe and happy, and if we stand out because of that, cool. If we blend in because of it, even better,” Green said “The best part of opening the shop hands-down has got to be the absolutely overwhelming support from our clients. I couldn’t do anything without them.” 

Reflecting on her move she noted, “It wasn’t easy, but it’s the best decision I ever made. Being a tattooer is an amazing honor and privilege. Basically, just throw your heart at stuff and see what it sticks to.”