Support Elmer's Tattoo Shop for a Fresh Start

Help Me Make a Dream Come True: Opening My Tattoo Shop in Sanford, FL

Hello, my name is Elmer, and I’m sharing my journey with the hope that you’ll help me turn my dream into a reality. I’m a tattoo artist from Ohio, and after years of heartbreak, struggles, and setbacks, I am finally opening my own tattoo shop in Sanford, Florida—**Elite-XII Tattooing**. But I need your support to bring this vision to life.

My Story: A Journey Through Loss and Resilience

For years, every step forward seemed to be met with two steps back. In 2020, I lost my cousin—more like an older brother to me. His sudden passing in a motorcycle accident was devastating and set off a chain of events that sent me into a downward spiral.

The years that followed were filled with unimaginable loss. My son was born with alopecia and diabetes, and during this already difficult time, he was diagnosed with cancer. Watching him fight for his life was the hardest thing I have ever endured.

In 2021, I lost both of my grandparents. Then, just as I thought I couldn’t take any more, my younger brother passed away in 2022. I was drowning in grief, barely able to process one loss before another hit me.

In the midst of my pain, I lost myself. I turned to anything that could numb the hurt—partying, drugs, anything to numb the pain. Then, in 2023, the love of my life—the woman I planned to marry—left. It felt like everything was slipping away, and for a time, I didn’t care if I lived or died.

But by the grace of God, I found the strength to keep going. I started working at a tattoo shop, hoping to regain a sense of purpose. But after facing some legal trouble the shop I worked at took advantage of my situation and I lost my clients. I left, defeated and discouraged.

In 2024, I made another attempt at opening my own shop in Parma, Ohio, but once again, it fell through. I felt hopeless, stuck in an endless cycle of setbacks.

A New Beginning: Opening

In early 2025, I made a bold decision—I moved to Florida for a fresh start. Now, I’m here, ready to open **Elite-XII Tattooing**, a tattoo shop built on passion, resilience, and the desire to create something meaningful. This isn’t just a business—it’s my chance to rebuild, to give back, and to create a space where art and healing come together.

But I can’t do it alone. There are still essential costs I need to cover to bring this shop to life, and I’m asking for your support to raise $2,600.00 to help make it happen.

What Your Donation Will Help With:

New lights for the shop

Artist trolleys and workstations

A custom sign for the storefront

Team t-shirts for the artists

Needles, gloves, and medical-grade cleaners

Larger armrests and client chairs

Artist chairs and desks

A light board for drawing

Shelves and storage solutions

Dry-erase boards and mirrors

A stenciling printer and paper

Cleaning supplies (brooms, mops, disinfectants)

A TV and wall mount for the waiting area

A fan for ventilation and comfort

Ceiling tiles for final touches

Why This Matters

This shop represents more than just a business—it’s a dream, a purpose, and a second chance. It’s a place where clients will feel welcomed, where artists will thrive, and where stories will be shared through ink and creativity. A space where art is created, stories are shared, and healing happens.

Every donation, no matter the size, will help build a space where healing and art go hand in hand.

I am beyond grateful to be here today, thankful for the journey that has led me here, and appreciative of everyone who has supported me along the way. If you can donate or share this campaign with your friends and family, it would mean the world to me.

Thank you for your time, your belief in me, and your generosity. I couldn’t do this without you.

With all my heart,

Elmer l

Owner/Artist of Elite-XII Tattooing