We recently had the chance to connect with King Sunni and have shared our conversation below.
King , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people D E E P L Y struggle with just being true to themselves, I also don’t think thats much of a secret . its always super easy to spot a cut and paste personality/persona- whether it be what they like or how they’re feeling “lifestyle” . the masses seem to be stuck in this loop of being “too cool” to like what they secretly LOVE, or too nonchalant to be passionate and expressive (that is until the cool kids say they like it too! then they’re all for it) . and by the cool kids I mean social media, lol our brains are so fried . is it dimly lit ? is it aesthetically pleasing ? will it get me likes ? am I being mysterious enough ? its not cool to be in love ! I’m not dealing with multiple women outside of my girl ? my friends might think that’s lame . I don’t have a man “tricking” buying me this or paying for that-the random women on the internet who I do not know and do not know me in any capacity will say I have no motion . i like this item but again “the cool kids” haven’t said they like it yet so I won’t get it, but everyone has these shoes so I NEED that . . . I think this event looks fun or this post is fire, but I’m not gonna be supportive or give flowers, everyone else hasn’t . you have a small following, I’m nobodies fan . I’ve reposted Tyler the creators or Beyonces entire rollout and I’ve told them happy birthday and congratulations as if I know them though . . . like shut the hell up talking to me man, lol . everyones personality these days is just incredibly performative and solely based on benefit to becoming “liked” and “accepted” by people who barely like and accept themselves .
no one stands out, no one has an original thought . no one knows what just being their authentic self even looks like anymore without outside approval or influence .
who the hell made y’all the judge jury and executioner of what’s fly ?
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
this is always an incredibly difficult question to answer for zero sensible reasoning .
I am an overall creative, I never knew what I “wanted to be” when I grew up , I’m literally just a girl . . still growing up . but for now the specifics would be self-taught Tattoo Artist . 16 years in the making 11 years professionally . im coming up on year 3 of owning my third commercial studio located in margate, fl . I always knew I wanted my own shop and never wanted to work for anyone, I was vetted early into my career and briefly spent time working in a shop, I knew immediately it was not for me . from location to location I’ve discovered things about being an entrepreneur that I love, that I HATE . how Important it is to be serious about your business and how detrimental it is working with other that aren’t . no one is coming to save you, and you damn sure can’t save everybody . another story for another time .
what’s the saying “three times the charm?” since being in my current studio I’ve been give the opportunity to finally spread my wings in my love for painting and taking it more seriously . i’ve always loved to paint, again overall creative . with tattooing i’m afforded the opportunity to bring my clients vision to life . with paint I’m given the space and freedom to bring my own crazy ideas and concepts to life . as of late been laser focused in getting my feet wet and making a name for myself as artist more specifically in the paint world . I’ve participation in a few art shows this year, crazy new territory for me-excited in all the ways possible for expansion sharing my art seeing where things take me .
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
cliche, but 100% my parents ! I don’t have the a typical story about the hard life, grew up a brat full transparency . there was no “mud” to get it out of . both of my parents are incredibly hard working, and for that i’ve never gone without . I’m the youngest so was never told no and my dad is bald (if you spend enough time on the internet to get that joke iykyk) I was a real deal pageant queen at like 10 (did a full sweep, Won the whole thing-Thankk Ya) my family owns multiple businesses . They are such a dynamic duo, as spoiled as my father has always treated my mother-that lady is the biggest boss I know ! I’m not at all trying to say any these things in a braggadocios way, but respectfully . . . was handed not 1 but 2 “blueprints” on a silver platter on how to get it, it was up to me to flip or flop it .
my mom has not only influenced me in showcasing what could be, but continuously to date shows me what i might in the moment view as a possible ceiling literally being just a floor for me . . how do you not grow up in that environment and not feel overwhelmingly motivated to chase every dream ? all gas no breaks, I cann have (fill in blank), I can BE anything-if I 1. get in the field and 2. take myself and my ability seriously .
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
transitioning from my second shop to my current space almost got me, lol . I downsized drastically, as I mentioned before only wanting to work with people who take themselves and their business seriously so after having a full salon of 8 employees I moved into my second studio and it was just myself and one other girly (Brittany) . for the most part the transition was easy got my keys space needed a little TLC made it our own and was there a few years, survived through covid . in the end it came down to shady management, they owed the city mad money they tried stiffing tenants with the bill- all types of made up fees an backpay . . . it was time to go, it had been time to go honestly . I was dealing with a lot personally so the last thing I wanted to do was also deal with the headache of uprooting my business but the universe has a VERY unfunny way of forcing you out of comfortability when you could absolutely be doing more but you’re choosing to remain stagnant . the transition was ROUGH, everything that could possibly go wrong did . I wanted to be able to just move from one location to the next like I had done once before . . . . .it took 4 f***ing months . there’s a for sure outdated stigma on the tattoo industry a foot and the crowd it brings so ALOT of locations were not playing ball with me . let it be zoning or a bigger store front in the plaza that had say so over their neighboring tenants telling me go to hell , no one would give me keys . started the application process with a few different properties that straight up took my bread to turn around and give the space away to a more cookie cutter business , “deciding to go in a different safer direction” is what they’d tell me . I couldn’t work, I had no answers for when i’d be booking . I had this girl who’s figuring it out in her own regard but she road with me from shop one, felt like I owed her-i’ve uprooted her too-i’m fucking with her money ! I was going crazy . personal life ? shambles . fell out with my entire group of close friends, shit only friends really . all while also trying to push through the divesting motions of ending my 5 year relationship . . . . NOTHING was going my way, you could not tell me someone did not pay a woo lady triple to take every single thing and person that meant everything to me away . . I felt so overwhelmingly defeated . timing, I painted and painted and painted to keep myself leveled headed , keep me busy . by thanksgiving I found my current shop , signed my lease by Christmas got my keys 11 day into 2023 . she was shell, no quick flip so 6 more months of permits and construction and more painting and not being 100% sure when things would be up and rolling. . I was finally okayed to open July of 2023 . it tested everything I thought I knew about me, about the people around me . it absolutely instilled patience I DID NOT have prior . . I will not lie and say i’d do it all again, lol BUT I am thankful for it and the push into discovery of my strength to handle it all and what i am capable of whilst pushing through all kinds of adversity simultaneously .
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
short answer . Im not going to narrow it down to industry, expounding to community-peers .
this “you can do it alone” and “don’t owe anyone anything” mentality , bullsh*t .
community and relationships of all kinds are so important, you do need people . you do owe people, but don’t always just have your hand out either to receive . . . be the person that’s also there for other people in their times of need . . go watch Barney ! lol, everyone has totally lost the damn plot . we’re losing recipes !
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
peace for me ? painting . it has become an incredible safe haven for me-specifically in my house though, lol! my shop is 1500 sq ft love her downnn, I’m actually about to start a revamp of the space you have to keep the artistry and energy fresh and inspiring . . . yet and still though there is this little corner in my apartment that has my easel setup with my brushes and all my little art supplies . . you add in some headphones and a good shuffle (sometimes Apple Music conspires against me) and i gladly lose hours upon hours world on DND in my zone any Monday to Sunday at complete peace .
Contact Info:
- Website: https://KingSunni.com
- Instagram: WhoTFisKingSunni
