After more than two decades in the tattoo and piercing business, Gilbert residents Jared and Bridget Shoup decided to open their own studio.
They knew it was a leap of faith, but the couple, who moved from California to Gilbert in 2020, talked it through and decided to go for it.
“If you wait, you might wait forever,” Jared said. “We just figured as I was dropping the previous place, it was the right time.”
His wife of 27 years, Bridget, concurred.
“I’m the kind of person who believes you can have anything you set your mind on,” she said. “I asked him what do you want to do, go to a new shop or start our own? Once he said yes to our own, we were really excited.”
After viewing multiple East Valley properties, they knew the 1,300 square foot storefront at 1265 W. Main St. in Mesa was the one – even with a lot of work ahead.
“It started out completely bare, what they call a ‘vanilla shell’ in the commercial lease world: white walls, ceiling and a concrete floor,” said Bridget.
“We did it all ourselves: painted the walls, ceiling, painted our logo on the wall, did wood floors and put tile floors in the bathroom. Thankfully the piercing room, which is private, was already a room ready for use.”
Even the selection of the name, Unity Tattoo, was decided together.
“We envisioned it as a place for people to unite and feel welcome,” said Jared. “A drama-free place where artists can do their craft and be united with other like-minded artists. And overall, a space where people who want to wear their art can come together and enjoy a relaxing, clean and comfortable judgment-free space.”
Bridget describes the finished studio “Gothic with a modern Victorian twist.”
“And it’s clean; we think it’s really, really important to have a clean environment for our clients,” said Bridget who, as co-owner, handles Unity Tattoo’s website and marketing.
Since opening June 6, business has been steady; some are curious walk-ins but others are former California clients who make the trip for his work.
In addition, repeat business includes clients from Nevada, Illinois and Minnesota who choose Jared to continue working on their body art.
Jared Shoup is experienced in all tattoo styles, from old school American traditional and fine line to black-and-gray realism and colored complex designs that can take weeks, to complete.
Most recently, Jared tattooed a shoulder-to-hand full sleeve tattoo on Jason Wood, who at 6’6,” has a lengthy left arm.
Wood, a San Tan Valley resident who has five other tattoos on his right arm and shoulder blade, said he was impressed by Jared’s full-sleeve tattoo that he did for a co-worker.
“When I met Jared and told him my idea and what I wanted, the excitement he showed in wanting to do it told me ‘yep, this is my guy.’” I sent him a few pics for reference and he ran with it, and found pics that better fit my arm and the layout he had in mind,” said Wood.
“He killed it, and I’m extremely happy with it and can’t wait to get more done; Jared will be my only tattoo artist for any future sessions,” he stated.
Wood’s full-sleeve tattoo with a Greek mythology theme took five four-hour sittings.
“I have Zeus, Hades, Athena,and Aphrodite and some pillars and ruins. There are also some special birthdates in Roman numerals mixed in. On my hand I had a sunflower tattoo done to commemorate my mother who lost her battle with cancer in 2016,” said Wood.
“I absolutely recommend Unity Tattoo to anyone looking to get some ink done; the shop is easy to find, and very clean and simple. Reasonably priced as well, so it doesn’t break the bank,” he chuckled.
When Jared is not with a tattoo or piercing customer, the couple banter back and forth.
“She is the love of my life. I couldn’t imagine that any of this would be possible without her,” smiled Jared.
Added Bridget: “We have fun, and this adventure has been a new chapter in our book together.”
That adventure began in Rancho Cucamonga, California, when they were introduced by a friend at age 16. Three years later they married, and have a daughter, Kelsey Shoup, 24.
“I’ve always been artistic,” said Jared explaining how he gravitated toward the tattoo business. “I always drew and painted in high school. In my 20s, after working at other jobs, I decided to follow my art direction.”
The very first tattoo Jared had done was his own design. Bridget didn’t get a tattoo until after she saw his.
“I’d always liked the look of tattoos, and my very first one, and every one I’ve had since, were all done by Jared,” she said.
A menu of piercing prices is posted for adults, and all include the selected jewelry.
Piercing for minors is more complicated, and the couple are adamant they strictly adhere to Arizona State mandates regarding underage tattoos, while adding their own.
“For underage tattoos and piercings, there’s a lot of paperwork involved and parents must be present the whole time,” explained Jared, who is the only piercer.
Unity Tattoo is already preparing for an industry-wide marking of Friday the 13th next month.
“For our ‘Friday the 13th Special,’ the first 50 people will be able to pick from our flash sheets that our artists, Jared and Kieran Reese, have designed. They can get a small tattoo for half price of our regular shop minimum,” Bridget explained, adding further details will be posted on social media as the date nears.
Unity Tattoo, open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, can be reached at 480-704-3492.
Its website, UnityTattooAZ.com, provides information and samples.
