Episode 275 - Finding Redemption in Tattoo Shops? with Sara and Rodney Carrera
Entrepreneurs often navigate unique challenges while holding onto their faith values, but what about those who work in unconventional spaces, like tattoo studios?
In this episode, Henry and William are joined by Sara and Rodney Carrera, the duo behind Anomaly Lifestyle Art and Tattoo in Plano, Texas. Sara handles most of the business while Rodney is
They open up about the challenges and victories of their entrepreneurial journey, their hope for the tattoo industry, and the intersection of faith, art, and business. They also discuss the controversy around tattoos in Christian circles.
All opinions expressed on this podcast, including the team and guests, are solely their opinions. Host and guests may maintain positions in the companies and securities discussed. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as specific advice for any individual or organization.
Episode Transcript
Transcription is done by an AI software. While technology is an incredible tool to automate this process, there will be misspellings and typos that might accompany it. Please keep that in mind as you work through it.
Joseph Honescko: We all know God shows up in unexpected places. The Gospels are full of stories with Jesus hanging with sinners and tax collectors. He says he came to heal the sick, and he offered redemption to people who desperately needed salvation. To this day, he's still bringing light to dark places. And faith driven entrepreneurs are called to do that same thing. We seek to fix broken industries. We want to solve the world's greatest problems. And today's guests, Sara and Rodney Carrera, bring brightness to a place often filled with darkness. Tattoo shops. The husband and wife team are the founders of Anomaly, a tattoo and art studio in Plano, Texas. And for the last seven years, they have faithfully lived up to their name. They've become an anomaly in the tattoo industry, offering a hope filled, family friendly alternative to the more rough and rugged culture that is the norm in that space. They join the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast to share the challenges they face as they seek to transform this industry and how their faith has gotten them through the ups and downs of their journey. And don't worry, we'll also address the controversy surrounding tattoos and the Christian faith. This is an open, honest and ongoing dialog, and we hope that regardless of which side of the controversy you fall on, you'd be open to leaning into their experience and the wisdom that they offer about being a faith driven entrepreneur. All right. Let's get into it.
Herny Kaestner: Welcome back to the feature of National, our podcast. I'm here with William this morning. William good morning.
William Norvell: Yeah. Good morning indeed.
Herny Kaestner: This is a special edition. If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, I say that pretty often and everyone is the special one. But this is one that, as we were talking before we went live on mic, this is a rock in your show episode a bit. There's going to be some subject matter that some people look at and say, you know what? Because we're talking about with two awesome tattoo artists, they've got an incredible ministry in doing that. Some number of people are going to say Leviticus 19:28 says we're not to do tattoos. Okay. Some number of people, though, hopefully the vast majority will see Christ love through this couple. Their story and their ministry. In a way, they'll be an inspiration, encouragement as they get out there in the mission field, which is the marketplace. So that's what we're looking to do today. And without further ado, I just want to introduce just this great couple, Sarah and Rodney Carrera. The duo behind Anomaly Lifestyle. Art. Guys, welcome to the program. Thank you for joining us.
Sarah Carrera: Thank you.
Herny Kaestner: Yeah, so let's get right into it. Tattoos haven't traditionally been very popular with the Christian church, and maybe you speak to that a little bit. Before we get into the broader and very magnificent picture of what you guys do.
Sarah Carrera: Okay, I feel like I can definitely speak to this. Growing up in the church and having a dad who is very much against them, that quoted Leviticus quite often kind of digging in to it myself and questioning a lot. We can talk about civil law, ceremonial law, moral laws, civil being in society behavior and punishment, ceremonial dealing with willingness to sacrifice moral laws, which is God in his character. That never changes. I think civil law is basically surround the culture of the time. And like, who was it? Why was he saying that? He was saying that to the Israelites, who were a religious group who are also a nation. There was no separation of church and state for Israel at the time. And so they were not to do as the pagan cultures around them were doing. It was very much a civil law that I feel like in our current society doesn't necessarily pertain to us anymore because God's people are more than just Israelites. Thank you to Jesus. You know, that's an open door towards Gentiles as well. And so Christ came, and fulfilled all the ceremonial and moral laws. However, those moral laws to me, represent God's character, which never changes. So for me, it's God and His character and his morals that I am always and forever subject to. However, I don't necessarily consider myself under that civil law of the Israelites. Back in Leviticus I look more to Jesus and kind of the freedoms that He gave us when he came and [....] did on the cross. So I think we both see it more as living under the grace of Christ and just the freedom that we have with you and especially seeing. What having tattoos ourselves, the significance, the stories behind them, how it allows us to minister to a part of our culture that not everybody gets to engage with and step into. I think if Jesus were sitting here right now, he's at that other dinner party which was at Matthew's house. That's the dinner parties we're going to. So I feel like Jesus would definitely want to come in the [....]. So that's just kind of the basis if you're really coming at it from a biblical standpoint.
Herny Kaestner: I think ,so that beautifully said, the freedom we have in Christ. Mm. Just an amazing thing it frees us from. So what does that even mean? The freedom we have in Christ. For me, it's freeing us from the bondage of sin. The bondage of just the worries of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, the being conformed to the pattern of the world. It's a freedom. And we hear in the New Testament, of course, about being free to be able to eat the different things that we want to eat. And I think that you have a thoughtful and to be very clear, they're going to be members of the audience are going to still say, I still don't think getting tattoos are a good idea. And other people are going to say, hopefully all people say that that was a beautiful exposition of somebody interpreting God's love for them and the freedom that comes from that. Okay. So you alluded to this a little bit. You said, you know, I'm wrestling with my faith. And, you know, your father said, listen, tattoos are a bad idea and you've got this life story and maybe Rodney Why don't we start actually with you? Tell us your story about where you got to running this business, please.
Rodney Carrera: Okay. So in my youth, I was an artist. I created a lot of artwork. I was very much in a household. That artwork was my outlet. It was a place that I went to very much just to get out of the present situation if you say. So as an early adult, I felt like, you know, I wanted to get tattoos. I was always create an art. I love the idea of telling your story in a way. When I was or early 20s is when I really met a gentleman that told me, You're an artist, man. I can teach you how to do this stuff. He said, I'm not going to give you a job. I'm going to give you an opportunity to show some of what you do. And I had no idea what I was stepping into in this world. It was dark, I was very much looking for a team to run with. If you say I'm looking for community at that time and I think I've learned a lot more bad habits as well going through my early years of tattoo. So I would tend to create a lot because of the chaos in my surroundings. A lot of it felt more in the way. And just being in a place where I just had to stay afloat. You know, I was running a race with a lot of guys that I felt like, you know, I was a small fish. And again, just trying to do as much as I can, keeping doing a lot of stuff that I shouldn't be doing. And, you know, I was finally in a place where I'd say I hit rock bottom. You know, that's where I'd found the Lord. And when I finally felt like the race was over is when I finally understood what I was doing, even to myself is a little bit crazy. And then the say within just the last seven years, what he's been doing in my life. I mean, in the studio, in the place of business where I'm not even doing anything but opening the doors and he's present. You know, you can feel when people come in and they talk about it, the studio is different. It is an anomaly. It is a place where people can come in and be comfortable and not feel like there's so much of an ego behind it or it's not a scary place, now, it's a different place.
William Norvell: Thank you so much for sharing. It's amazing where Jesus finds people find us all in different spots. It's so cool to hear and Sarah If you wouldn't mind sharing a little bit of your story and then maybe merging that with you. That's coming up in seven years. When did you decide to become entrepreneurs and how did God take you on that journey and maybe tell a little bit you and then move into the entrepreneurial journey a little bit.
Sarah Carrera: Sure. I think I've always been a worker. So was 14. I've had a job soon after college, got a crew down here in Dallas that still had like my corporate job and you know like 5 side hustles. I think I've always been like an entrepreneur and like trying new things. They fail and who cares? Try another one, you know, 20 and single with no kids, just going for it. Eventually met Rodney kind of cliche. I did meet him in a tattoo shop. I did. He gave me a tattoo. Yes, it happened. Rodney and I building relationships, coming together fast forwarding a few years. We're married. We have two kids. I'm seeing my husband, who I have the privilege of baptizing, coming to me and being like, I can't, Sarah, I can't do this, you know? And it's like we're both wanting so desperately to grow with Jesus. So does. Really to give our kids a family and a firm foundation rooted in Christ. And my husband, the tattoo artist. And I'm doing things over here and we weren't merging our worlds yet. And there are many times like ships passing in the night with our schedule and kids. And I asked him, Is this what you want to do to support our family? Like, is this what you're telling me? God is gifted you? Is this what you want to do? And he was like, It is. I just don't know what that looks like because he would come home. 1:00 2:00 in the morning some nights with just a heaviness like it would be emotionally and spiritually wear him out like he would come home and be like Sarah. Sometimes it's so dark, I can just feel a heaviness on me as soon as I walk in the door. Like I feel like I'm all alone, like battling it out. And so through a lot of prayer and some counseling from some wise people, God put in our lives, we decided we were going to go for it. And if this is what God was going to have to do, we were going to merge our worlds. Me loving business and like being an entrepreneur and bringing imaging and going for it and him and all of his talents. And we were going to create something on our own. Obviously, we have no idea what God's plan is going to be like. Are we going to survive? Like, are you kidding me at the tattoo shop or right now? Right. Said he's the only artist going. So we were really fortunate and we were also very unwise. When we opened and started, we thought, Oh, we have this much money that'll do it. Not even close. God was so gracious through his people in the church and his body of believers that contributed time, materials, prayer. I mean, we had guys and worship leaders coming over for free helping us put up drywall. I mean, it was incredible. And just praying over the place constantly that, you know, begging God and the spirit of God to rest in that place just be seeping out of the pores of the walls, that that place would be sanctified and dedicating it to him and being an anomaly, you know, where in an industry it does have a lot of. There are a lot of cliche and a lot of them are true. Like the whole sex, drugs, rock and roll vibes. It very much is like that. I'm not going to lie. And so Rodney really wanting to step out of that and having two kids and a place where like I felt comfortable walking in with our kids, you know, I remember one shot and particularly he was I was with my daughter, who was three at the time. Are you kidding me? I was so offended by the artwork on the wall, the conversations, the music that was playing, the whole environment. You know, something about when you have your little one with you, you see the world very clearly, you know, immediately for what it is. And we just knew it was something we wanted. And so we started off really slow and it was really hard. There were a lot of times we didn't know we were going to make it. We didn't know if we could make it. We didn't know. God, how are you going to figure this out? Because on paper that makes no sense at all. Like if you are willing be Jehovah Jireh, please provide. And it has been a really tough road, but we have seen God be so faithful to us and with that I have to say too, it is emotional because this is like our life. He has grown us so much in the fire. You know, I feel like it's in the fire and in the hard places that we just really fell in love with Christ. We fell in love with the ministry. We fell in love with living on others. And I think even though our pocketbooks for broken and empty our hearts would be so full at times because of the stories we get to hear and the love that we would get to share. And so almost seven years later, I see how he has completely carried us. I just see his sovereign hand over it all. And not only was he growing a business all along, he was refining and growing us, which makes kind of every down part of it. Every entrepreneur knows it's not always like, Yay, this is so great. There are struggle in it, you know? And sometimes you're wondering, what am I doing? Like, what are we doing? Like, is this for us? Make sense. Is this what he want from us? And I think seeing who we are as a couple and individuals and as business owners today is not who we were seven years ago. And for that, I think we are both just unbelievably grateful for his patience, his grace. And now he just has a plan that's so much bigger than what we ever realized. So yeah, that basically is the real quick little synopsis. Several years of our lives.
Herny Kaestner: Tell us if you can please, about what that is. You come to understand God's love for you through the context of your marriage and running a business together. How does that spill over to folks who come in the door? Because I'm making some presumptions here. I've actually never been a tattoo shop, but I would imagine that some number of. People are coming in and asking for a tattoo that tells something about their story. Something is meaningful to them. They're opening up to you about things that are important in their life. What are some of the conversations that you're invited into and just riff on that a little bit?
Sarah Carrera: I mean, I can say a quick something. I think Rodney's probably got a lot more stories than I do. But one day, sitting on a couch as I sit next to a young girl who is waiting on her turn to get a tattoo, I just asked, Can I sit here next to you, I did some work and of course she invites me to sit down and she's adorable and sweet. And you know, we're talking social media because I have to do it and I don't want to. So we're talking all the business things. And then she just kind of starts telling me why she's getting a tattoo. And her dad had died ten months prior. Her younger sister had committed suicide two months prior. She was coming off of pills trying to become sober and wanted to cover up all the cut marks on her arm where she had attempted multiple suicide attempts. So she just, like drops it on me. And she was so nonchalant about it. Yeah, this is what I'm doing. This is my life. And I'm. I mean, I'm a wreck. I'm completely wrecked. And so, you know, sometimes I think we had to fill the spirit out. Like, I'm bringing her the gospel. Like, right now, in this moment, am I completely turning her off like, God, what do you want me to say? And so quickly you're like, I'm what? I'm really so, so sorry and heartbroken to hear about your pain. And I think, you know, what you're going to do today is going to be a really cool way for you to remember this time. And I felt like that a lot. And she's like, Well, what did you do? And I know here's my shot, you know? And I'm like, I met Jesus. He wrecked me. he wrecked me, he change my life. He stole my heart. He came in and he took my pain. And I get to share with her, you know, in the five minutes I have her on the couch, what he has done for my life. And I think in a shop, you know, especially for me, sitting there hearing stories, people want to tell you their story. So it's not so much I'm going to present to you all the Romans pre, you know, like it's all relational, it's all relational. They want to hear that you hurt, too. They want to hear that you struggle, too, but that you know the answer. You know who the answer is. And in a culture, in a world that is shifting and changing, I see a hunger in young people's eyes that are desperate for truth in something that is solid. And so I think in little moments like that, you know, we get to share just kind of what he did for me. And then, of course, I pray after they leave that God, if that was just even a seed if it is this, seed for a moment that you would water that. But that's like little things I get to go through. But I know Rodney probably have stories more.
Rodney Carrera: I mean, I think you said it. People want to open up and now your therapies, your therapies, you know, people jump in your chair and they want to tell you everything about their tattoo. And sometimes I'm just the ear, Sometimes I just listen. Sometimes I do get to share my story. They do ask me questions. You know, it will lead to that.
William Norvell: It's awesome. I want to drive a little bit. I feel like you've hinted around it a little bit, but I've got two thoughts and questions. One, I'm sorry to keep doing these two partners to you, but one, I think you've hinted around your different environment a couple of times for music to a place that I just want to give you a little more free rein. Like, yeah. Take our listeners and what does it look like because everyone's got a vision in their head right now. What a tattoo parlor is. I want you to give them your vision and then before I forget it, I write it down. But I also want to know that you have a very interesting lens. Potentially, every now and then we talk here about, Hey, are there certain clients that my faith wouldn't allow me to take? Are there certain deals that I might not do? Because I feel like they're, you know, hurtful to people or things. So in part of the welcoming to I'm thinking you might have a very unique lens or thought process. So are there certain tattoos you won't perform and how that conversation goes? Because I think some of our entrepreneurs wrestle with some of these things all the time of how to do that. Winsomely Lovingly. So, yeah. So painting a picture environment and then maybe how a difficult conversation goes in that welcoming environment.
Sarah Carrera: So our environment definitely is kind of where I get to have some creative freedom in writing. So seven years ago in Plano, we weren't really technically allowed to be called a tattoo shop and they weren't comfortable with that. The city did not know what to do with that. So we were a retail store with a specialty. Use in the back is what we were at the time. So we were like, What are we going to do with all this workspace that was God cleaning way ahead of us, which is really cool. So you walk in and one, we provide a lot of tables and chairs, free Wi-Fi, free coffee and art supplies, which is just kind of different to our type because we're in we want to be a place where everybody can come and feel welcome. So whether you're getting a tattoo or not, but if you're a creative or you're an artist, you like the arts, you need to sit down somewhere quiet and put your headphones on. This is a safe place, basically, is what we're saying. So we've had friends come in and take conference calls to the shop because it could be at the house and they'd be somewhere else. So that's just kind of esthetics. We also have merch that we sell and so a lot of it is kind of faith based and I'll try to kind of low key slide that in there, you know, like awake o sleeper and rise from the dead and I've got the skull and there were some four roses. They don't know it is Ephesians 5:16 But that's cool. So says a child of God, you know, with the Lion of Judah on the back. So we get to kind of slide it in everywhere and in every aspect. So we do have merch and read from the front. One of the coolest things I think we get to do is Rodney is definitely an artist and has art [.....] watercolor, wood cutouts, oil paintings. You know, he's been involved in City of Plano, World art, drop days and events. So we get to showcase the art and sell it. We also get to sell other local artists artwork, which is really cool because then they get to have wall space and sell their art and share their story. And we've met some really cool people that way. So that's all in the front part of the shop, which is kind of open up to anybody. Anybody can come and hang in there. Anybody can be in there. All the artwork is kid and family friendly, as is the music, as is the conversation. So again, it should be somewhere with you are 19 you want a tattoo, Mom and grandma can feel comfortable coming in with you and feel respected and that there's a sense of dignity in there in the back of the archways. And behind the counter is where all the tattooing or piercing happens. And we have done something in our studio that isn't the norm, which is we have an open floor plan. Normally a lot of tattoo studios have like small little booths or they have their own individual rooms with doors that shut for accountability purposes for our artists and for our clientele. We are open floor. So there are stations that there are no walls at all. Now we have like the little trifold walls you can screen or you can kind of put up if somebody is getting the side of their hip tattooed and a little uncomfortable and we need a little more privacy. Yes. But it's also so that artists can see each other. I can walk the floor and see what's happening and have a level of accountability there from artist to client, because the truth of the matter is, things happen. Things have happened in that industry from clients and artist. I personally myself have seen a lot of women who are lonely come in and they love and just being in close proximity with a man in general. And unfortunately, have made offers. And as sad and heartbreaking as that is, it's also why we don't have walls, why there is accountability there and why, when artists come to work at our shop, some of them are like, What's up? Like, why don't I have my own space? And we have had artists not stay because they want privacy, they want that personal space because unfortunately things that they're engaging in that aren't and can't be, that aren't moral, that aren't what we stand for. And so we don't always get artists to stay because they come in and yeah yeah this is a little too Jesus for me. And they don't want that. But it's specific design and has intentionality behind it. And for those who are honest and are honoring God and their families and their wives and all those things, it isn't a problem. And so I think just off top that open floor space and open floor plan in the back where the tattooing happen will immediately turn an artist on or off whether or not they want to be there. It's never been a problem for our clients. Our clients have never once complained about, Oh, I don't want everybody. How come everybody can see me get It's not like that because everybody's respected. And if there's certain privacy that's needed, I mean, we can work that out for you. But it's never been a client who's not liked that. It's only been an artist. And so I feel like God kind of quickly weeds out the ones that probably aren't going to be okay with kind of how we get down and operate.
Herny Kaestner: I have one last question for you before William goes into the way that we always end our podcast. Has there ever been a time where somebody comes in who's clearly had some level of trouble and you talk them out of getting a tattoo?
Sarah Carrera: Rodney talks to these young guys [out of face] tattoo all the time
Rodney Carrera: Yeah, I mean. I mean, it's it's been a really long time. You know, I can tell you endless stories the youth again these days. Kids under, you know, even 21 years old and they want face tattoo. They want their first tattoo to be on their face. You know, they want things that, you know, I don't even give kids tattoos on their neck, tops of the hands. I don't do that. So I tell them that unless you don't already look like me and this is your job or something, I'm not the guy to do that for you. And lots of them, they respect it. You know, like we had one guy kind of try to talk me into it, and I don't know if he'd say, talk me into it. And he said, Come on, man, I'm going to be a rapper. And just, you know, good luck. But that's still not going to be the answer, you know? And, you know, to answer your question, earlier, there was once, actually, there's two now. But previously there was a tattoo that the lady came in specifically asking for me. I was not there at the time. I need to speak with Rodney, the owner. Okay. He'll be back tomorrow. I showed up the next day. She showed up already was kind of a weird thing. But then she started to tell me about her tattoo. And, you know, the tattoo is very much.
Sarah Carrera: black magic.
Rodney Carrera: black ravens and a symbol that I didn't really feel comfortable doing. And
Sarah Carrera: It's very cultic. Yeah, black magic, like satanic pagan symbols, like very much in opposition to who we are and how and where she specifically came for able to do it, I have no idea.
Rodney Carrera: But yeah, it was very awkward and I told her I was like, Hey, you know, I don't know that I'm the guy for this, but I'm going to look into what these symbols mean. I'm going to kind of check it out, do my own kind of research about it, because the way she is telling the story and how the layout needed to be and she was describing The Raven to be kind of a soul mate in a way. But after a week or two, I could not get myself to even put pen to paper. You know, nothing. I prayed about it. It was really heavy on me for a good time because I almost felt like, Is this what I was supposed to be doing here? You know, it's a tattoo. You know, it's a design. She has a story. It's for a person. But once I saw that symbol, you know, I just. I couldn't get behind it.
William Norvell: The still, small whisper of the spirit comes up strong when it needs to. Yeah, sometimes I can understand it. And I feel like all entrepreneurs probably had that with whether it's a client, a deal, an employee.
Sarah Carrera: Yes yes.
William Norvell: Something that just doesn't feel right and you can't put words to it. If being of that with the way we loved it and our program is going back to God's Word, which we started with. And just love to ask you both if there is a scripture that comes to mind. It could be something you thought of this morning. It could be something you've been meditating on your whole life. But we just love to end with God's Word and coming back to say, Hey, how is he moving in your life today? And could that encourage our listeners?
Sarah Carrera: Okay. I guess that is something I was doing this week because I felt like just yesterday he kind of like kind of, you know, and he just kind of smacks you with some truth real quick. You know, and it's funny because it's about, Isaac [....] the blessing on Jacob or Esau. Usually the focus is on those three and the blessing and that and sitting there and reading about Rebecca, and I'm just like, Wow, man, she really wanted Jacob to get that, you know, like, she's planning scheme and she's like, Okay, how can we make this happen? You know, you're going to get it. And I just thought that was crazy because like, God told her when she was pregnant what was going to happen? He told her who was going to get it. He told her how the younger he already laid out for her exactly what was going to happen. And yet here she is 30 years later, still trying to plot and scheme and make sure it happens. And I just felt like the spirit was saying. But how often do you do that? How often are you, Rebecca? Because it was in relation to our business and financing and me trying to how can we do this and this and this? And it's like he's told me, I am your provider, I will provide, This is my shop, my business. Why do you keep trying to plot and scheme so often about how to make it more successful? When I had already told you, I have got this. And sometimes I think he just needs me to be still and lie down in green pasture and let him be God instead of always trying to run ahead of him and plan and pull out. I think it needs to go when clearly he is the only reason we are so open and successful and giving it to him every single day. I think it's hard as an entrepreneur to have that in you. The plan is to make plans and schedule and goal setting and like all the things. But ultimately at the end of it, he is the one in charge. He is the one in control because I can plan and goal set all day long. But he is Jehova Jireh. And so I just reading about Rebecca yesterday I was just like, oh, like, oh, I do plot and plan a lot and sometimes I need to take my hands off and dig deeper into the word and rest in him and I think turn to a posture of praise sometimes more often than I do, a posture of planning. And so I think for me personally, where we're at in life and with our business, that really kind of hit home with me yesterday.
Rodney Carrera: The one thing that we've talked about this morning and last night, going over all of the notes, you know, it really stuck out to me, you know, being able to share my story, being able to say this is how he's redeem me. You know, it's easier to isolate. It's easier to just go to work, do what I do. You know, I get hyper focused on just that the present and I will forget it and I will lose focus on all that he's brought me out of. And, you know, I talked to the last week or two, you know, just being able to say like, I get tired of kind of telling my story in a way, you know, like I'm a mess and I am a hot mess, you know, he's still working on that. You should never get tired of telling your story.
William Norvell: Amen.
Joseph Honescko: Thanks for listening to the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast. Our ministry exists to equip and resource entrepreneurs just like you with content and community. We know entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, but it doesn't have to be. We've got groups that meet in churches, coffee shops, living rooms and boardrooms around the world. Find one in your area or volunteer to lead one and bring this global movement to your own backyard. There's no cost, no catch, just connection. Find out more at faith driven entrepreneur.org.
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