dkimelberg, What is your vision for InkedInc?

[max]

Seems to me the sky is the limit here. Such a fantastic idea. What with the popularity of shows like Miami Ink, etc... your timing is perfect. Where would you like to go with this? The forum is great, the book beautiful. Have you had any discussions with others regarding the next steps?

Just curious. Would love to hear ideas from others as well.

[INKED Inc.]

Hey Max. Glad you like the site. The canvas is pretty blank right now. I wanted to create a site where people like me could find compelling content and see that there are many others like them. I'd like to expand the site as much as possible.

I'd love to hear suggestions from others about what they'd like to see.

Dave

[Marisa_DiMattia (Kakoulas)]

In addition to sharing experiences with people similarly situated, to me, it's as a community that can be mobilized in support of causes promoting tattoo art and culture, using our own different resources and backgrounds.

For example, when a newspaper editorial remarks that tattooed people are unemployable--and this happens A LOT strangely--we can easily disprove that assumption by our presence here.

Completely selfishly, I'd also like to use this community as a forum to sound off on issues relating to tattooed professionals raised on Needled. Eventually, Needled will have comment forums and community but not like here where it is a niche group. Last week, for example, I was on the radio discussing employment discrimination and tattoos, which I think is fitting to Inked Inc.

Most importantly, I'm here to support what you're doing, David.

[INKED Inc.]

Thanks Marisa. (Marisa has been my biggest supporter since day 1.)

I totally agree -- this could be a great vehicle to dispel stereotypes.

Dave

[foghorn]

just love knowing there are those out there who share my experiences....both good and bad relating to my tattoos and my profession....hoping that it will be a mechanism to help dispel the myths regarding persons with ink.

Thanks Dave
Great Idea

[Judy]

When I read on needled (which I LOVE by the way!), that you were starting a website I couldn't get over here fast enough!
I've visited other tattoo boards where everyone was angry, calling each other names. Then there was the other board where everyone talked in "text message" (that nearly drove me insane). Coming here was like a breath of fresh air. I love everything you've done with the site so far, keep up the good work!

[Graham Berndt]

I too, came through the "Needled Masses".

Personally, and this is not to sound snooty, I find it tiresome ti have to constantly advise people that no, my body modifications do not impede my ability to have a meaningful job. At the same time, I also like the idea of a place made up of those of us who while inked, dont work at Wendys.

[Jess]

Well, Dave, how do you feel about the progress of your baby thus far?? :)

[INKED Inc.]

I couldn't be happier about how well this site is going. I'm meeting all kinds of great people with some really interesting things to say. Even better, people I know who never thought about tattoos visit this site often and love it. It's not my baby -- this site belongs to everyone who visits and helps build it. That was my motivation from the beginning -- to create a new kind of community where everyone can contribute.

[jude]

I cant get enough of it. Everyday at lunch or whenever I have a free moment Im on here and go right to needled for my daily news as i call it. First I have to check out new members and their bios and then check out all of the discussions. Thanks Dave, Ive met so many beautiful people on this site, beautiful not just for their tattoos but beautiful in every way.

[Zoe]

Hey guys when i first came across this site i thought oh, am i really elegible to join up here. I haven't worked since 2003 and back then i worked in a call centre for motor insurance, but i have always seen myself as a professional and if i was still at work i would be in the management field now.
But i have to say i have alway felt very welcomed here and i find the level of conversation better than other sites, it's also intrige's me that you professional people seem to have such a daily struggle going on with you tattoo's.
I feel that with the help of Dave's site here and Marisa's site needled (and all the other stuff you do inbetween your regular lifes) that tattoo's will deffinately have a better deffinition in the future. So all praise to you guys for bringing these issues to the public domain for general discussion. And we can all have a banter along the way.