The Truth About Leaving a Corporate Job to Become a Tattoo Artist (With Kimberley Verana)

What happens when you walk away from a “safe” corporate path to build a creative life from scratch?In this week’s episode, I sit down with Kimberley Verana, a UCL Geography graduate who left recruitment to become a tattoo artist. We talk about what it really takes to start over in your 20s ,from battling imposter syndrome and finding your artistic voice to navigating the unpredictable reality of a self employed life.Kim opens up about the courage it takes to trust your instincts in an oversaturated industry, stay authentic on social media, and build a creative career that actually feels like you.We also explore how being an Asian woman in tattooing challenges stereotypes around success and respectability, and why representation in creative industries matters more than ever.Whether you’re a creative in your 20s figuring it out, a freelancer learning to value your work, or someone craving a story about bravery and purpose, this one’s for you.Key Themes & Timestamps:00:00:50 – Context & background00:03:40 – Cultural background and tattooing00:10:00 – First steps into the tattoo world00:15:20 – Perfectionism and creative growth00:20:40 – Dealing with rejection00:22:00 – How do tattoo apprenticeships work?00:30:00 – Customer service and building client trust00:37:00 – Social media and comparison00:40:00 – The fear of being seen00:42:00 – Finding your creative gang and community00:47:00 – Kim’s list of creative accounts to follow Topics We Cover- From recruitment to tattooing: the leap from a corporate career to a creative one storytelling- . Finding your voice in a crowded, trend-driven industry- Freelance realities: pricing, time, and valuing your worth- Authenticity vs. oversaturation online- Being Asian & creative: breaking stereotypes and reclaiming respectability- Storytelling through tattoos: turning emotion into art- Community, mentorship & self-beliefMentioned in This EpisodeKim’s Suggested Creative Accounts to Follow on instagram:- @Kaiferjoseph- @the_rinayang- @badcatclub_- Sophfloyd- Kaylatayla_- Blumme_- Zackkravits Connect with Kim:- Instagram: kimberleyverana- Portfolio / Booking: https://kimberleyverana.comhttps://tally.so/r/wLo4k2?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacsGOhRL4bfweJdJSY6s_y6SJ0eCPCWeLxuotfyRu6m1eglVGStCH8MAPIv0Q_aem_QRPLfn0urixeT8cuv3pF5Q💌 Connect with the pod:- Instagram: @reclaimingbossy- TikTok: @reclaimingbossy- Host: @maahika.s- For collaborations email : [email protected]