Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Jacobo.
Hi Jacqueline, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been anything but traditional. As a first generation Latina, I grew up understanding that opportunities weren’t always handed to you. You had to create them. College wasn’t a path I could realistically pursue because supporting myself financially had to come first. Instead, I chose a different route, one that required taking risks without the certainty of knowing where they would lead.
Just two weeks after graduating high school, I enrolled in nail school while working two jobs to pay for my education, cover my bills, and invest in a future I was determined to build for myself. Those years were exhausting. There were long days, late nights, and moments where giving up would have been easier. But they also taught me resilience, discipline, and the value of betting on yourself, even when no one else can guarantee the outcome.
I spent years building my career as a nail artist, growing a loyal clientele and learning what it truly meant to run a business. As grateful as I was for everything I had built, I reached a point where I knew I wanted more creatively. Choosing to leave the comfort of an established career to start over in tattooing was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Starting from scratch meant risking the stability I had worked so hard to create, but I couldn’t ignore the feeling that I was capable of something bigger.
As I continued growing as a tattoo artist, another dream began to take shape. I had always imagined opening a salon, but turning that vision into reality required another leap of faith. Alongside my business partner, we built our salon from the ground up. It wasn’t easy. There were financial sacrifices, unexpected setbacks, countless long nights, and moments where we questioned whether we could make it work. But we kept showing up because we believed in the vision we were creating.
Today, I’m proud to be a salon owner and fine-line tattoo artist in Nashville, Tennessee. In an industry and in a city where there aren’t many Latina women represented in this space, I’ve learned that representation matters. I hope that by building my business and sharing my story, I can help other young women, especially young Latinas, see that they don’t have to wait for opportunities to find them. They can create their own.
Looking back, every setback, every sacrifice, and every difficult decision shaped the person I am today. My story isn’t about taking the easy path it’s about choosing growth, even when it meant starting over. Success didn’t happen overnight. It came from consistency, perseverance, and having the courage to keep evolving. If my journey teaches anything, I hope it’s that your circumstances don’t have to define your future. Sometimes the hardest decisions become the ones that completely change your life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Every stage of my journey has come with its own challenges, and I’ve learned that growth often comes from stepping into the unknown.
One of the biggest struggles has been navigating entrepreneurship without a roadmap. As a first generation Latina, I didn’t grow up surrounded by business owners or people who could show me how to build a company. A lot of what I’ve accomplished has come from learning through experience, making mistakes, asking questions, and refusing to give up when things didn’t go as planned.
Financially, there were many sacrifices along the way. Working multiple jobs while investing in my education and my business meant putting my dreams ahead of my comfort. Even after building a successful career as a nail artist, choosing to expand into tattooing meant becoming a student again and proving myself in a completely different craft. I didn’t stop doing nails I simply followed a passion that allowed me to grow creatively while continuing to evolve my business.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also struggled with self doubt. It’s easy to compare yourself to others or wonder if you’re making the right decisions, especially when you’re taking risks that don’t come with guaranteed success. But every challenge has taught me something valuable and reminded me why I started in the first place.
Today, I look back and realize that the difficult moments shaped me just as much as the successes. They taught me resilience, patience, and the confidence to keep evolving. I truly believe that every setback has been preparing me for the next opportunity, and that’s what continues to motivate me as both an artist and a business owner.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a fine line tattoo artist and salon owner based in Nashville, Tennessee. My work focuses on creating delicate, meaningful tattoos that allow people to express their stories through art they can carry with them forever. I specialize in fine line tattoos, minimalist designs, and pieces that are personal to each client. I love creating artwork that feels timeless, feminine, and intentional while making sure every client feels comfortable and confident throughout the experience.
Beyond tattooing, I am also a salon owner, where I have been able to create a space that represents my values as an artist and a business owner. For me, it has never just been about providing a service it’s about creating an experience where people feel seen, welcomed, and valued.
One of the things I am most proud of is my ability to continuously evolve. I started in the beauty industry as a nail artist, transitioned into tattooing, and eventually built a salon, all while continuing to grow and learn along the way. What sets me apart is not only my artistic style, but the story behind my work. I know what it feels like to start from the beginning, take risks, and build something from the ground up. I bring that same dedication and passion into every piece I create and every person I work with.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise people is that becoming a tattoo artist and salon owner was never the path I originally imagined for myself. When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist and spending my life exploring the ocean and studying marine life. Life ended up taking me in a completely different direction, but that love for the ocean never left me.
If you know me or follow my work, you know how much I love ocean inspired tattoos like sharks, fish, waves, and anything connected to marine life. That passion actually comes from that childhood dream and my fascination with the ocean. Even though I didn’t become a marine biologist, I found another way to express that love and bring those elements into my art.
Looking back, I think that dream was always a reflection of who I am. Someone who loves to explore, create, and tell stories. My journey may not have gone exactly how I imagined when I was younger, but it led me to a career where I get to connect with people, create meaningful artwork, and continue chasing the curiosity and passion that have always been a part of me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjacobo.ink
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackieej_
