Meet DAnthony “ Dutch Ink’d” Meade | Tattoo Artist, Entrepreneur, Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with DAnthony “ Dutch Ink’d” Meade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DAnthony “ Dutch Ink’d”, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I feel like the most important thing I’ve done is be honest about this Beautiful Shitty world we live in. When she was able to comprehend I poured in to her life from a Free Minded point of view. I showed her what persistence and commitment to yourself and your dream can look like. I tell her to speak life into herself and those around her. IM HEAVY ON RESPECT and BEING A SOLID PERSON.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel like not what sets me apart but what makes me a professional is that I really give a fuck about what I do and the work my clients walk away with. It’s not a cash grab. I’ve developed real relationships with a lot of ppl and have touched their lives base on the art we come up with.

What I most proud of is I’ve been pretty consistent for about 4 years now ( longest job I’ve ever had) lol.
Not on that I’m proud of my Apprentice Kayla Imani and watching her grow and develop as a professional. I’m proud of the fact I’ve been able to change my life and the lives of others based on my own ambition and persistence.

It definitely was far from easy. Leaving my family in Virginia. From a rough 2 year start getting to Georgia. Working like 10-12 jobs in that time. Meeting Amanda through my Potnas Butch & Lo and Landing an apprenticeship. Getting out of that situation to work in another shop and getting fired. To finding a studio I lived in for a year and half. Luckily I had some family here that really had my back. Love you Karen,Jewel & Toyia,

I really just learned it was ALL ON ME. NOBODY CAN DO IT FOR YOU. You really have to reprogram your mindset and how you react to what life throws at you. People are people and you have to handle as such. I had to learn to be patient with people and even more so myself. I had to filter out anything and everything not serving a genuine purpose or real love and care for my well-being. I also had to learn to be more Grateful for where I am in life compared to where we started. I’m BIG BLESSED!!!

I just want the world know WE CAME TO PLAY!!! We care about what our name is attached to. I’ll never feel it’s enough and always feel we can do better. I want my all my clients and extended family to know YOU ARE APPRECIATED and THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Man…. We’d definitely have to hit Copelands in Kennesaw nice lil Louisiana style Cuisine. Ponce City Market would surely be on the tour. The High Arts Museum the Trap Museum. If Vibe With Dro is having an event I’d definitely wanna hit that. EA Village, possibly a Hawks game depending the season. Piedmont park or The Belt Line for a cool lil walk and Climbing Stone Mountain for some fresh air.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gotta Thank The Big God First. Moms right next to em For the hell I put her through. And My Pops and Aunt Kim for being the first people I ever Seen put pencil to paper and blowing my mind as a kid. MY MENTOR Amanda Garcia For taking a chance on me and all her guidance. Turkey Chareunsouk for KNOWING I WAS A PROBLEM. My Brother Al for keeping me grounded through the best and worst of times. My Daughter Daliyah for giving me something to love more than myself. All my REAL FRIENDS and FAMILY that truly loved me through it All. LASTLY VA and ATLANTA For BUILDING A MONSTER.

Website: www.thinkrichink.com

Instagram: @richmind_ink

Twitter: Thinkrichink2

Facebook: Dutch Deville

Image Credits
@kashynii