Community Highlights: Meet Ashley (Ae) Lopez of Aeink Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley (Ae) Lopez.

Hi Ashley (Ae), can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The beauty industry was never something I thought i’d fall into. I have always been driven by art, but never thought about it as a career choice. I needed a “real” career with benefits and security as my mom put it. I’ve always wanted to be in law enforcement, I can’t tell you exactly why, but I knew I saw it in my future. And so I did just that. I received my bachelors in criminology and my master in business analytics. I paid my car off in 3 years, bought my house, and travelled the world all throughout my 20’s. I was blessed with security, love, and luxuries that most did not have, except one thing. Fulfillment and purpose. I chose to get back into art when I decided to take a lip blushing class. Something I thought I’d just do for fun as an outlet for all the stress I was dealing with at work. It became a hobby that I happened to be really good at. Never would I believed it could be something I did as a living. The decision to leave such a “secure”job was one I would have never thought to do. I will admit this was not a decision I would have made on my own and it took several forces to push me out that door, but non I regret. Diving into a full on entrepreneur lifestyle was the least of my worries. Everyone around me thought I drank the koolaid. It appears I did because I felt like my eyes were opened for the very first time and I realized this is what I was waiting for. Life on my terms with the guidance of God. I’d rather work 60 hr work weeks on my terms than 40 on a job that doesn’t touch me. I was finally free to do whatever I wanted with my time. I was able to nurture what drove me. Entering a completely different industry in your 30s is definitely a learning curve, somethings I feel I’m too late to the party but it has allowed me to see things from a lot more gratuitous and humbling lense. When I made the decision to grow my scope into body art tattooing I knew there was no turning back. It has challenged me in ways I never thought I’d feel again. It was hard to find a place for me in the beauty and tattoo industry, but I figured why not just create my own. A place where a tattoo can feel like a luxury. And so it is, Aeink Studios. I love what I do, I love that I can make anyone feel beautiful, whether it’s helping them with their face enhancements or with their bodies. This life is not easy, it’s actually much harder, but on your terms.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I felt it got harder once I made the decision to be a full time entrepreneur. No one can give you a guide about how your specific life will turn out even if you follow all the steps. Money is something I think we all focus on when making big life decisions. Are we going to be okay? That’s a big one. I know not everyone prays or is religious, but I have found that trusting my God always works. There is always enough and it always works out. It’s not on my timing and that’s something I have to remember constantly. It is not on my timing.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started in the permanent makeup industry about 3 years ago specializing in lip blush. Lip blush is what got me started and I’ve learned to train others very well in. Once I got really good at that I ventured into body tattoos and piercings. This has taken a lot of grit. I feel this has changed the way I look at my future. Entering a different industry, that is not considered the beauty industry opens yourself up to a new audience. Using my artistry for a different avenue on a different part of the body has challenged me in all the ways I was missing. I started my studio because I wanted a place where anyone felt comfortable in. A place where everyone could feel like they were getting a luxury experience. I would call it the luxury tattoo experience. Why not? I haven’t seen one. I think we have a certain way about what the beauty industry looks like and what the tattoo industry looks like. Aeink Studios is a new private space where they both meet collectively to offer all these services in a neutral space. Aeink Studios provides studio time for content creators, tattoo artists, beauty artists, and all artist looking for a place.

What makes you happy?
Giving. I am a giver to a fault. I am an empath and helping people is where I feel the most happiest. I can’t help but to encourage others now to follow their intuition. That voice inside will never go away and it’s never too late to do what you’ve always wanted to do. Part of my mission on Earth is for other to put into action the things that they feel are missing in their life.

Pricing:

• Lip blush/ Lip neutralization: $400
• Tattoo: $100/hr
• Piercing: $40
• Renting: depends on amount of time used

Contact Info:

• Email: Artbyaeinkstudios@gmail.com
• Website: Aeinkstudios.com
• Instagram: @Aeinkstudios
• Other: https://g.co/kgs/XxRakU

Image Credits
Portrait: Elisa Valdes