A fire destroyed the building where I both lived and operated my tattoo business, the same place I’ve called home and worked from for the past 7 years. In a matter of hours, I lost virtually everything I owned—my home, clothing and personal belongings, as well as the equipment, supplies, furniture and tools I relied on every day to make my living. I left the fire with essentially only what I had with me. More painful than anything I lost in the building was losing two members of my family. My cat Lil Girl and my parrot Penny, who I had raised since Penny was a baby, did not survive the fire. For a time I believed I had lost my cat Bubba as well, but incredibly, a neighbor spotted him alive after he had escaped the building. Bubba and Gizmo are now safely with me, and having them back has given me something to hold onto through all of this.

Right now, I’m trying to figure out how to keep going. I’ve had to cancel appointments, and the bills are still coming. My home and my livelihood disappeared at the same time, and right now I’m trying to figure out how to rebuild both.

Black Label Tattoo wasn’t just my business—it was how I supported myself and something I spent the past 7 years building. I’ve been tattooing for nearly 20 years. The fire destroyed my workspace along with the equipment, supplies, furniture and tools I depended on to earn my living. Until I can secure another location and replace the essentials, I can’t simply reopen and go back to work.

Donations will help with immediate housing for me and my two surviving cats, clothing and basic necessities, veterinary care, replacing essential tattoo equipment and supplies, securing a temporary or permanent workspace, and covering basic expenses while I’m unable to work normally. My goal is to get Black Label Tattoo operating again as quickly as possible so I can support myself and begin rebuilding my life.

Every donation, regardless of the amount, gets me closer to having a home and being able to work again. If you aren’t in a position to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to me. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, helped search for my animals, offered a place to stay, donated, or simply checked on me. I will never forget it.