We had the good fortune of connecting with Danny Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danny, how do you think about risk?
Risk is the price of doing something real. I’ve never played it safe—that’s not how you make a name for yourself. Every major move I’ve made in my career came with a risk: leaving the comfort of working under someone else to open my own shop, pushing my style into new territory when I could’ve just stuck to what was easy, and betting on myself when no one was handing me opportunities.

Tattooing ain’t a game for the weak. If you’re scared to take risks, you’ll stay stuck doing the same boring designs eveyone else is doing, while someone hungrier passes you up. I take risks pushing my style because I refuse to blend in. Risk is where growth happens, and if you ain’t willing to gamble on yourself, you’ve already lost.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. There were a lot of long nights, trial and error, and moments of doubt. But I’ve always believed that growth comes from challenges, and I’ve never been afraid to put in the work to improve. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned from them, and I’ve kept pushing forward because I love what I do.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that consistency and passion will take you further than anything else. I’m grateful for every client who trusts me, every opportunity I’ve had, and every lesson that’s helped me grow. At the end of the day, I just want to keep creating, keep learning, and keep putting out work that I’m proud of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
American Deli in Riverdale

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
@glchrst

Instagram: @tattoosbydannycruz

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