We’re looking forward to introducing you to Gregory Mirzoyan. Check out our conversation below.
Gregory, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I remember my first tattoo, I remember that day. My hands were shaking, heart was beating very hard. I was so afraid that I will f*ck up my model’s skin.
But luckily for me and for model I did great job, and from that day, step by step this feeling went away
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a tattoo artist and studio owner.
My partner Sabina (who’s also a tattoo artist) and I opened a tattoo studio located at 11 Broadway, Suite 800, in New York City, which we named “Life Needle Tattoo Studio.”
Both of us live with a deep passion for the ancient craft of tattooing – that’s where the word “Life” comes from.
“Needle” represents one of the tools we use to bring our art to life.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Oh my god, this question is right on point!
I graduated with a degree in Software Engineering from a Ukrainian university. Then, because of the war, I had to move to the U.S. and rebuild my life from scratch. When I first arrived, I worked for a moving company and ended up injuring my back. Soon after, I found a position at a large tattoo shop – and within a year, I became its manager.
Thanks God, I found myself in art and then opened my studio and became an artist.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, as I mentioned in the previous question — I was working at a moving company before I found a position in a tattoo shop. That was a long time ago.
Things weren’t going well back then; I was barely making enough to survive and even considered returning to Ukraine – a country still torn by war.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My real friends are now scattered all around the world. Because of the situation in our country, everyone is trying to find themselves somewhere new.
They’ve always believed in me, and what matters most to me is when they say something kind about my work — it reminds me that I’m on the right path.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop taking days off.
I would start traveling doing guest spots tattooing in different cities.
I would try to leave a mark after myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lntattoo.com/gregory-mirzoyan
- Instagram: @gmtattooing
- Youtube: @lifeneedle
- Other: Tiktok: @gmtattooing
