11 years ago I launched Tattly as a fun side project.
The goal? Create high-quality temporary tattoos, designed by professional artists.
Little did I know this lighthearted idea would grow into a healthy business, shipping millions of tattoos around the world.
Since July of 2011, Tattly has catapulted joy and good art into the world, paid our artists over $1.5M in artist royalties, employed over 45+ fine humans, moved three times, attended countless trade shows, appeared on national TV, got featured in the NYTimes, handed out tattoos at the White House Easter Egg Roll under president Obama, collaborated with brands such as NPR, VOGUE, National Gallery, Sesame Street and Starbucks, ran a ‘temporary temporary tattoo parlor’, and licensed art from over 120 artists.
It’s been an eventful ride.
Tattly taught me about margins, the world of wholesale, what it means to ship products globally, how to source manufacturers… but most of all: Tattly taught me that it can be advantageous to fall into an industry you know nothing about. I showed up with zero limiting beliefs, just a whole lot of enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
And then 2020 happened.
Like for so many other bootstrapped, wholesale focused businesses, the pandemic has been brutal. During the NYC lockdown, in an attempt to save the business, I had to personally learn how to ship our orders. For months I would go into our deserted office, pack up the orders and carry them to the post office. It was a lot.
I admit I was on the brink of giving up. More than once.
Carolyn Andrews, our fearless CEO, was one of the people who would consistently remind me of what this mighty little brand brings to the world: We celebrate art, financially support artists, spread joy, champion inclusivity and allow the world to self-express and pretend. Pretending is fun. And boy does this world need more fun.
Over the past two years, I gained clarity: I want Tattly to grow, support more artists and bring smiles and lightness to more corners of the world.
Today I am proud to announce that Tattly has been adopted by the BIC family and is entering its next, expansive brand chapter.
BIC is a family-controlled company started in 1945 by Marcel Bich. Its founding product, the iconic BIC Cristal® pen, kickstarted a revolution that democratized handwriting and provided the world with an accessible medium for artistic self-expression.
Today, BIC is a leading global provider of many essential items. The company’s vision to bring simplicity and joy to everyday life is realized daily through the sale of more than 30 million products in 160 countries. This ability to touch the lives of billions of people in such a meaningful way, to me, is extraordinary.
Am I nervous about putting Tattly in the hands of such a giant company? Yes! Of course!
Am I ‘anxcited’ about the months ahead? Yes, of course!
Am I excited for the expertise, manufacturing and financial resources BIC will be able to provide to strengthen the mission and scale of Tattly? Absolutely!
There is so much possibility ahead!
And, a lot will stay the same:
Tattly remains women-led, Brooklyn based and will always champion artists. Tattly’s brand ethos will be untouched. Our artist community will continue to flourish, as BIC shares our deep respect for creatives. While my role becomes more advisory, I’ll still be involved with the overall creative vision.
I don’t make a decision like this lightly. My close friends know it’s been a tremendously long journey for me to feel ready to set Tattly free. I am proud of how far my team and I have been able to take this gem of a company. Tattly is a true labor of love, bootstrapped, infused with a tremendous amount of care and enthusiasm by 45+ team members over the course of 11 years. Each one of them left a mark.
I trust BIC will honor our past 11 years and honor the essence of Tattly.
I trust BIC will teach her new things, I wasn’t able to.
I can’t wait to see what she’ll grow into.
I love you, Tattly.
Mamabear,
Tina
YAY! in 120pt type with animated rainbow colors and confetti!
Aug 2nd, 2022 / 6:32 pm
Incredible news, congrats!
Aug 2nd, 2022 / 8:14 pm
Congratulations. Well deserved. This must feel like seeing your kid leave for university.
Aug 2nd, 2022 / 8:51 pm
So delighted for you, and this next chapter. Confetti for everyone.
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 12:11 am
Remember the warm feeling when we discovered Tattly for the first time? Ice-pops tattly are still my favorite. Congrats, Tina!!
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 12:25 am
As a founder of a small business like Tatly (also in the tattoo industry!) I feel myself represented by your words of love and respect to the project that you launched 11 years ago.
I can feel the roller coaster of emotions you have had to go through by taking this decision.
I know that it sounds like a prize, even like a desired outcome, but when the times come to release this little bird that have been with you for 11 years there is much more to consider.
Congratulations. For everything.
This was another brave step forward.
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 1:05 am
Congratulations! What a journey!
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 1:19 am
Wonderful! Cheers to your well earned success!
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 7:36 am
perfect, I knew this is going great
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 9:39 am
That’s so exciting! I’m thrilled for you.
When my grandchildren spend the night, the “mail carrier” leaves little gifts in their real personalized mailboxes, and puts up a flag to let them know a surprise awaits. It is often a tattly tattoo. the kids are coming next week & I’ve stashed the skateboarding rainbow, and the gorgeous hummingbird.
You’ve been a joyful little part of our lives & I’m so happy for your success!
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 9:41 am
Congrats!
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 12:26 pm
Congratulations! What an accomplishment- from inspired concept to loving growth and expansion filled with ups and downs, to surviving a global pandemic, to transformation and release. How inspiring and fabulous you are to all creatives. You lead with an open-hearted integrity that is so rare and so appreciated.
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 12:32 pm
This is really cool and so deserved. Long live Tattly!
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 12:42 pm
Congrats on this next step, Tina! What a ride. I remember watching the first photo shoots, the first arm models, the first packing parties, and the IKEA trips for the first tattoo storage shelves. Happy for you and the crew for this next stage in Tattly’s evolution.
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 2:21 pm
Congratulations!!!!! What a big moment! This will free you up to discover your next big adventure :)
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 3:50 pm
Congratulations to you, Tina, and the rest of the Tattly team! It’s been great watching the growth of that project over the years. Well done.
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 4:22 pm
Congratulations, team Tattly!
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 4:52 pm
Congratulations team Tattly! I made an order from Germany and the quality is fantastic.
Thank you for sharing the learnings!
If you could do this a second time, would there be something you would do differently?
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 6:42 pm
Huge congratulations! I’m so glad you were able to keep Tattly alive and well.
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 9:21 pm
Congratulations! And I will assume this will make paying for the door a little bit easier!
Aug 3rd, 2022 / 9:22 pm
tina, i don’t know you but i know you deserve all the success. your sincerity and love for creatives shows through in all your posts and i’m real happy for you.
please keep this blog running (for my personal, selfish reasons)
Aug 4th, 2022 / 11:23 am
Congratulations!! Wahoo! I’ve purchased many Tattly tatoos for myself and friends. You’ve created a cool thing and excited for the next chapter for you. I’ve been a blog visitor for years and appreciate what you put out into the world!
Aug 4th, 2022 / 12:39 pm
Love from Milan
Aug 4th, 2022 / 1:37 pm
Wow this is amazing for you and your little dream factory! Congratulations isn’t big enough, but it’s all I have to give. Hooray!
Aug 4th, 2022 / 5:45 pm
You are a rockstar in every way. Congratulations to you and your whole team. What a tremendous accomplishment!
Aug 4th, 2022 / 6:26 pm
Holy moly congratulations! Incredible!!
Aug 5th, 2022 / 9:38 pm
Congratulations! The scented floral tattlys are my favorite: they smell soooo gooood!
Aug 8th, 2022 / 8:25 pm
I’m so glad for you and team tattly….
You can never know how inspirational you personally have been to me across the internet
Thank you Tina
Xxxxxx
Love and blessings to your family
Aug 13th, 2022 / 5:02 am