Inverness couple open up dream tattoo studio

Friendliness, openness and warmth are not the words you would first associate with a tattoo studio, however, when you walk into Era that is exactly what you are greeted with.

Husband and wife dream team, Aaron and Jo Goodall have recently opened their first tattoo studio in Tomnahurich Street, and they eagerly greeted us with coffees and teas inside the venue that they've poured their heart and soul into.

For the duo, the studio has been a labour of love, with years of graft behind it.

We sat down with them in the funky waiting room, which oozes life and positivity, mirroring the personality of both 28-year-olds.

Speaking about the opening of the studio, Jo said: “Aaron’s dream has always been to open a studio and to have his own place.”

Aaron added: “I wanted to open somewhere by 23, but then I thought it was a bit unrealistic so I decided that before 30 was more reasonable.

“The way that this building came up was pure fate! I’d gone to view a place previously but I didn’t love it, and I was sitting at home all sad. Two hours later I got a call from my pal Grant offering me this premises. I came and had a look that day, and here we are now! It was like a scene out of a movie!”

Being able to work together is something that works well for the Goodall’s who are loving parents to two young children.

“As naff as it sounds, I’ve always wanted to work with Jo,” said Aaron lovingly.

“I've always had a vision for a shop, but I needed Jo to bring it to life.

“We are a family, and we want that to be reflected in our studio and to be a friendly and welcoming place for everyone.”

Aaron has been tattooing for the past eight years, however, it hasn't always been plain sailing.

He said: "I was first given a job as an apprentice at a tattoo studio in Inverness, however, I ended up going down not a great path and left there.

"I was working as a postman and it was so repetitive for me, and I was really struggling and my mental health was really poor.

"I was listening to a song one day and the words in it said 'do what you love, don't care about the money, it's going to be tough and it will work out'.

"I'm not someone who is like "music speaks to me" but it really did mean a lot. So I got in touch with a friend who had a tattoo studio to ask if I could see if I still enjoyed it. Once I was five minutes into the first tattoo, I knew what that was I meant to do. It brought me back to myself."

Jo, has been working in hospitality throughout her life, and is very much a people person. She will be managing Era, ensuring that appointments are booked and people are greeted with a smile.

Aaron said: "Jo is such a good people person, it would be stupid not to have her in the shop!"

The open plan tattoo studio has been designed and created by the help of the couple's friends, and it has been a real team effort to get everything done.

"All the work has been done by our friends and family who have been amazing," said Jo.

"We went on our honeymoon in June and they just grafted away when were gone. It was so nice to come back and see all the progress they made."

Jo and Aaron have made sure to capture their personality throughout the building, even hiding small ornamental frogs throughout the place for customers to find.

They have hired an apprentice, Scott, and will be taking on two other tattoo artists next year, alongside having guest artists come in throughout the year.

Era has been chosen as the name for the store, as it feels like the end of a period of life, and the start of a new beginning for the pair.

Jo said: "The name just fit. It's like we've come to the end of an era and we are starting a new one."

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