I'm no tattoer, but I am a freelancer too, though nowhere as in demand as you. I think the key to managing your time is keeping a day or two each week as unavailable so you can use it for rest, your life, or any excess admin work, and then block out plenty of holiday time in advance that will never get booked too. You don't have to use it as holiday. You can use it as a buffer instead to give you freedom to rearrange other work when you need to without making anyone wait a lot longer.

most artists in my area open their books until they fill up for 2-6 months then close their books until ready to open again.

Entrepreneurship is very rarely less stress or "freer" than a regular 9 to 5. If it is, that tends to come many years into the life of your business.

Glad to see you back, you are always dropping knowledge and it is much appreciated. Intelligence over emotion is a skill, wishing you continual growth and blessings.

Going in for second session of sleeve in two weeks, have 3 sessions lined up, and got the itch to hear something new from you today, and BOOM, you delivered!! Keep on dropping videos and hope you’re doing well, taking care of yourself and being blessed beyond measure!

Miss you James. ❤️ Take care of yourself. I'm just so happy I got tattooed by you last year. Hugs 🥰

I definitely agree to the overwhelming aspect. I try my best to be there for my artists cus patience is worth it. I’ve had an artist reschedule twice, and I understood, but she broke under pressure and we talked for a bit via voice message. I felt so bad that I can’t do much other than be a client who she feels comfortable with, not feeling pressured, and knowing that tattooing in general isn’t an art to be rushed. I definitely have wondered about the of being booked so far into the year, so thank you for informing me on that!

So happy too see you back James! 😌 no one else is allowed to finish my sleeve soooo no problem at all for me waiting till those books open again! 😇

Welcome back James!

Thanks for the explanation. I understand your reasoning 💯

As a software consultant (obviously different line of business), I had to experience turning away business from time to time. I feel what you're talking about.

Great video. An artist I was looking at getting work done with closed her books and this helped that make sense to me. I suspect that closing your books builds loyalty with current clients. And, I also suspect that someone who has a tattoo already is more likely to get another than the those who are getting their first.

This makes a lot of sense man, I did a full sleeve with an artist in the same boat. He even had to start charging me more mid project and I totally understand. Your motivation is only as good as your rate when you’re trading time for money. Best case scenario is up your rates to the point you start getting more no’s and less appointments (in the short term) or become so efficient at your style of tattooing that you start charging premium rates for/per piece instead because you’re a fast worker . Keep upping your rates man and keep posting your best work. This is business, people who love working with you and truly love your work will pay the extra hundred bucks all day. And so will the new wave once being busy happens again because it will. You’ll also be more incentivized to work around the clock and get busy again. It’ll kill the complacency. Love the content man, thanks.

Congratulations on your success!

My Alexa answered your question, too. 🤣

Good to see you back. Hope all is well.

Love your content bro 💯💯💯

Thank you

hope ur well and good James❤️🙏

As a long term client of my tattoo artist, I'm glad that is your priority!