PMA Tattoo Shop Fundraiser
Sara Eve Rivera is one of the hardest working people and best tattoo artists I’ve ever met. She can cover up just about any tattoo (I can vouch) and transform your skin into an art piece. Not only is she really talented but she is also the owner of her business. I’ve been a client and friend for 3 years now and I trust Sara to design and tattoo me more than anyone else.
PMA and their employees have been out of the shop since the stay at home order was issued. Along with cancelling every appointment, the shop is struggling to receive assistance from various small business loans and more.
If you can manage to spare some money at this time, I’m trying to raise money as a safety net so that her business doesn’t go under.
This is from her page:
“There are so many ways in every moment we can be spent advocating for someone in need. I often wake up in the morning feeling overwhelmed. I want to help everyone; donate my time, money and energy to the goal of ultimate equality. At times, it feels like pressure resting on my chest. I want to use my privileges to help others, however I can never seem to have enough time and resources.
As a small business owner, we are asked for large donations to worthy causes almost every week, and happy to do so when possible, but deciding to give money is always risky. This year alone, our taxes were raised almost $3000 without us being notified of the hearing date (even though I called leaving multiple voice messages). Meanwhile, large corporations ushered into the area with the promise of not paying taxes for years..the banks won't finance loans for people like me, literally asking me if I am a drug dealer (happened at 2 different banks). So without low interest rate bank funding, since I am deemed too 'high risk' due to my occupation regardless of being booked out for months, I am paying 8.5% interest on a mortgage instead of the 4% rewarded to others...
On top of this small business owners are the ones who donate and volunteer in our communities on a local level, not heads of major corporations... Already pulling 12-16hr days every day of the week. On top of economic stressors, I am a the member of a severely under represented group in my field. This results in endless death threats as well as threats to my safety for speaking out, these straight white men have claimed that I have 'no place owning my own shop' after working in many shops for over a decade; the years of violent racially charged hazing and less than 4 hours of sleep 'don't count'?
The pressure is immense... But worth it. Each day I survive as a person and as a business, I change the statistic and stereotype. And even though it is a financial risk, I support my community. I don't set up my for profit business in a community, leveraging my company's business pull to not pay taxes. I pay my employee a livable wage. I volunteer my time and money, I show up as much as I can for my clients, business and community.
So much of community need falls on the people we already ask the most of. This being said please support and appreciate your local small business owners and non-profit organizers who are active community members. We are worn out most days, but grateful for the chance to be a part of the change we wish to see in our communities.
You can help us by... using kinds words having patience when it is busy, by checking out what we do, by posting kind reviews, sharing our information on social media, telling a friend or family member about us, choosing small business over a chain restaurant when possible, by helping us dodge evil credit card fees(use cash), if there is a disagreement-talk it out with us first instead of flipping the script, giving us a high five, emailing us pet photos, sending a thank you card, literally any positivity is so energizing to us (thank you to all the people who do this already, love yinz.).
We put our heart and souls into this. My shop is the culmination of everything I and my family have worked for my entire life. From now on, I own my success; I am a Hispanic, Female, not straight, Artist, member of tattoo subculture, brick/mortar Business Owner in an under-served community during a horrendous period in US history. Let's be the change.” -3/11/20
