Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlie Cyns.
Hi Charlie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story isn’t one of overnight success. I grew up in a difficult environment and spent a lot of my younger years just trying to survive. I left home at a young age, learned independence early, and experienced more hardship than most people knew. There were times I questioned whether I’d ever be able to build the kind of life I dreamed about.
Art became my escape. Tattooing gave me a purpose, a way to connect with people, and eventually a career. More than seven years later, I own Dark Raine Tattoo in Clarksville, Tennessee, a studio I built from the ground up. It wasn’t easy. There were financial struggles, setbacks, and moments where quitting would have been the easier option, but I kept pushing forward.
Today, I balance being a business owner, artist, mentor, student, sponsor and my most important role of all A Mother. I believe that every challenge I’ve faced has shaped the way I lead my team and care for my clients. My studio isn’t just a business to me, it’s a place where people can express themselves, heal, and feel accepted.
Looking back, I’m grateful for where I came from because it taught me resilience. My past doesn’t define me, but it reminds me every day why I work so hard. If my story proves anything, it’s that your circumstances don’t have to determine your future. With enough determination and heart, you can build something meaningful from even the hardest beginnings.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I grew up in an unstable environment and had to learn how to survive long before I should have. I left home at a young age, experienced homelessness at times, and had to figure out life on my own. There were moments when I didn’t know where my next meal would come from, let alone imagine owning a business one day.
As I got older, I faced more challenges, including becoming a young mother, navigating difficult relationships, financial struggles, and learning how to heal from experiences that could have easily defined me. Opening a tattoo studio wasn’t glamorous, it came with long hours, self-doubt, sleepless nights, and the constant pressure of wondering if I’d be able to keep the doors open. There were times I invested everything I had into the business while wondering how I was going to pay my own bills.
I’ve also learned that success comes with sacrifices. Running a business means wearing every hat imaginable, artist, manager, mentor, accountant, marketer, janitor, and problem solver. There have been personal hardships happening behind the scenes while still showing up every day with a smile for my clients and my team.
Looking back, I don’t regret the struggles. They taught me resilience, empathy, and how to appreciate every milestone. They’ve also made me passionate about creating opportunities for others, mentoring new artists, sponsoring little leagues, a strong man, and building a studio where people feel supported. Every obstacle has helped shape the person, artist, and business owner I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the owner of Dark Raine Tattoo in Clarksville, Tennessee, and I’ve been tattooing for over seven years. While I specialize in black and grey illustrative work, I love taking my clients’ ideas and turning them into meaningful pieces that tell their stories. Whether it’s a memorial tattoo, a custom design, or something deeply symbolic, my goal is always to create artwork that people are proud to wear for the rest of their lives.
Beyond tattooing, I’m passionate about mentoring artists. One of the things I’m most proud of is watching apprentices I’ve trained become licensed tattoo artists or piercers and build successful careers of their own. Seeing them gain confidence and find their own artistic voice is just as rewarding as creating tattoos myself.
What sets me apart is that I don’t see my studio as just a business. I wanted to create a place where everyone feels welcome, whether they’re walking in for their first tattoo or their fiftieth. My team and I have worked hard to build a reputation for professionalism, quality, and making people feel comfortable throughout the entire experience.
I’m also constantly pushing myself to grow. I continue my education in business while exploring new artistic mediums like murals, airbrushing, and design. I believe an artist should never stop learning. Every project teaches me something new, and that passion for growth keeps my work evolving.
More than any award or recognition, what I’m most proud of is the impact we’ve had on our community. Through charity events, fundraisers, and supporting local organizations, we’ve been able to use art to give back. At the end of the day, I want people to remember not just the tattoos I created, but how I made them feel and the positive difference my studio has made in their lives.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m always looking for ways to grow, both as an artist and as a person. I read a lot of business, psychology, and personal development books because I believe there’s always something new to learn, not just about running a business, but about understanding people.
As an artist, I spend a lot of time on Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration, but I also study the work of other tattoo artists and creators across different mediums like painting, sculpture, and murals. Some of my favorite learning comes from simply observing how other artists solve creative problems.
I also enjoy listening to podcasts and interviews with entrepreneurs, creatives, and people who have overcome adversity. Hearing different perspectives reminds me that success rarely happens overnight and that every successful person has faced challenges.
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring topics like numerology, spirituality, symbolism, philosophy, and the deeper meanings behind art. Those interests often find their way into my tattoo designs, allowing me to create pieces that are not only visually beautiful but deeply personal for my clients.
More than any one book, app, or podcast, I think curiosity has been my greatest teacher. Staying open to learning, asking questions, and continuously improving has helped shape both my career and the person I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://darkrainecollective.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlie_cyns and https://www.instagram.com/darkrainetattoo
- Other: https://linktr.ee/darkrainetattoo
