MIKE BIGGS OF BIGGS TIKI

This month’s side hustle is a nice little treat to kick off fall!

This month's side hustle artist is Mike Biggs from our hometown- Las Vegas! For Mike, making Tiki Mugs began as a side hustle when he was tattooing full time. Sometimes life takes unexpected turns that help nudge us into the direction of something else. This is the case for Mike Biggs during the pandemic. I'm sure all of you had experienced tattoo shops being closed during this time, it definitely caused a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. However, with this uncertainty it helped push him to go all-in on his side hustle and make it a full time gig! (lucky for us!). Don't forget to get yourself a raffle ticket this month to try and win this limited addition tiki mug made by the man himself!

KEEP READING to learn more about Mike and how his passion because a full time job!

PURCHASE A RAFFLE TICKET HERE!!! 

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE OUTLET THAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A SIDE HUSTLE OR HAS NOW BECOME A FULL TIME GIG?

Making Tiki mugs was a side hustle while I was tattooing fulltime. I really fell in love with sculpting and while out at a tiki bar I ordered a drink and it came in a tiki mug. My brain exploded and I knew what I wanted to do or at least try to learn how to do. From there I got obsessed with learning ceramics and finally slip casting which is the technique I use now. It involves a lot of boring stuff like mold making and time consuming production but in the end its very rewarding and I get to sell my art!

WAS THERE A KEY MOMENT IN LIFE THAT INSPIRED YOU TO MOVE FORWARD AND TAKE YOUR CREATIVE OUTLET OR SIDE HUSTLE TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

The definitive moment was the pandemic! I was tattooing full time and then when the pandemic hit they closed the shops down for a long time! Like 4 months or something. So after shitting my pants with anxiety I decided to go full force with my side hustle to make some money. I put all my time and effort into creating my business and brand and products and then just never went back to tattooing! It worked out way better then I thought it would and now I have my own little business and its expanding!

DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ARTISTS TO HAVE MULTIPLE CREATIVE OUTLETS?

absolutely!!! You never know where it might take you. I think having the same job for too long will stifle your creativity. You need to always be learning new things ALL the time. Thats just me though. Im kind of a workaholic and tend to go off on tangents but I have had many hobbies and always loved starting fresh and learning a new medium or whatever. Good for the brain,...and anxiety

I make music....like chill beats with electronic elements.... Its something I enjoy doing for myself and even though I collect all the music I make and post it to my soundcloud account for others to hear, I really just like doing it for myself. Its very meditative and rewarding .... plus I can have original music to use for posts or videos I make. Its fun! And im obsesssed!

DO YOU HAVE A BIGGER PICTURE OR A VISION OF WHERE A SIDE PROJECT OF YOURS COULD TAKE YOU?

Oh for sure. Im building my brand up and expanding into other products. One day Ill either have my own warehouse to work and ship out of with maybe a couple employees....or just get bought out by a bigger company and chill and start another company!

ANY ADVICE FOR ARTISTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN BUILDING UP A NEW SIDE BUSINESS OR TAKING THEIR SIDE HUSTLE TO A PROFESSIONAL FULL TIME LEVEL?

Its really all about passion and time and money. Its hard work. I honestly never fucking stop. I work all day and most of the evening and most of the weekend. Balancing time and money is the hardest part. Get that down first especially if you have a family and people depending on you. All you have to do is have a goal in mind and work on it a little every day.... thats it!

DO YOU HAVE ANY ARTISTS THAT HAVE BEEN TRULY INSPIRING OR POTENTIALLY MENTORED YOU IN ANY WAY?

recently its been other mug makers.... VanTiki comes to mind and BigToe (Tom Laura) always have inspired me not just from their own art but their work ethic and they are always pumping out good work.

YOU HAVE ANY RANDOM KNOWLEDGE TO DROP ON US THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PUSH US FORWARD AND PURSUE OUR ALTERNATIVE ARTISTIC PASSIONS? 

Keep on trucking. Move forward. If something isnt working just keep going and either improve on it or start another project. Dont be afraid to keep throwing stuff on the wall until something sticks. Learn to balance time.... save your money then re-invest it in your own projects, then save more money and do it all over again on the next... do nothing for 10-15 min a day and focus on your goals and priorites (meditate).

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU? WEBSITE? INSTAGRAM? TIKTOK?

IG: @BiggsStudio

 Websites: BiggsStudio.com, BiggsTiki.com

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Get your August groove on with us over here at Maverick! We're cooling down this hot summer 🔥 with our monthly donation. This month, the spotlight is on our incredible family artist, Ben Oz.

Check out his must-read blog and keep reading to find out which lucky organization received a donation this month on behalf of Ben! Don't forget that every time you purchase one of our Maverick Tattoo Needle Cartridges, a portion of your purchase is going to a good cause & is helping others.

This month our family artist, Ben Oz chose to donate to an organization from his home town, City of Angels New Jersey.

"This specific organization has helped tons of people from my home town." -Ben Oz

Thanks to all of YOU we were able to donate our monthly cap of $1,000 to..

CITY OF ANGELS NEW JERSEY

City of Angels New Jersey is an extremely compassionate organization centered around helping those with substance use disorders. COA NJ offers counseling and resources to vulnerable individuals in need. Not only do they provide assistance and support, but their goal is to be a research therapeutics and wellness initiative.

This non-profit started in 2008 and began by concentrating on the opioid epidemic, but soon expanded into much more. This organization was created by the founders after unfortunately losing their son KC Meara to an overdose. In turn, City of Angels, NJ has the small 'mom & pop' feel, but they are doing much bigger things including job training, education, and community engagement.

Through dedication, this organization embodies unity & resilience creating hope for individuals and the community as a whole. Please be sure to check out their website where you can find amazing resources to not only help, but to educate yourself on the devastating impact that substance use continues to have on our communities.

BEN OZ

TOP 3 ARTISTS YOU ADMIRE. CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF DESCRIPTION?

Bret rosepiler his neotrad is insane the simplicity I. The designs yet they are so detailed and amazing everything he does is magic. Next I’d say rob goodkind he’s a legend he’s mixed Japanese and dark elements and it’s so rad his stuff is constantly inspiring me to do more . Lastly I’d say The Sepp I don't know his name or what country he is from but his stuff is so wild his prints and tattoos are constantly pushing the limits and he’s just a really good artist

WHAT ARE SOME FUNNY TATTOO MOMENTS YOU HAVE?

I don’t think I can pick one I think every day at our shop tops the last we are like a big disfunctional family

IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE A BAND TO BEST DESCRIBE YOUR ARTWORK, WHICH BAND WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

I’d say it’s a mix. It Dies Today is like a metalcore band I think it’s the angry bloody dark side to my work then maybe like the deftones or tool also representing the dark creepy sad part of my art and the. A stoner metal band called Windhand and they are like my psychedelic weird side of my art

IF YOU WERE TO WIN "BEST TATTOOER IN THE WORLD" LOL, WHO WOULD YOU THANK AND WHY?

I wouldn’t but if I did I’d thank everyone , from the people that hate me and have tried to hurt me they constantly push me to keep going and get better . To my family without them I would have been lost along time ago

SECRET HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

I can juggle

WHAT IS YOUR KRYPTONITE?

Myself

ANY PERSON OR ANIMAL THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRADE PLACES WITH FOR THE DAY?

My two dogs elsa and Trinity, they are 2 year old cane corsos, they have the best life they just get fed run around play and sleep

WHAT BOOK OR MOVIE WOULD YOU SAY EVERYONE SHOULD READ OR WATCH? WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THAT SPECIFIC ONE?

I am a movie guy and I love books I don’t read a lot anymore I listen to audio books while I paint and draw but if I had to pick I’d say the matrix , I don’t know why but I live the first 3 movies

WHICH STATE ARE YOU LOCATED? WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHY?

I’m from New Jersey but I’m in south Florida right now. I personally don’t like the heat I’m more of a cold and snow kinda guy so that part of where I live I don’t like but the sky here whether it’s sunrise or sunset or thunderstorm like right now the sky is always so crazy and beautiful

WHAT IS SOMETHING WEIRD YOU DO BEFORE BEDTIME?

 I don’t have anything really weird but I draw myself to sleep every night and I usually stay up till 5-6 am I don’t sleep much and I feel more creative at night for some reason so I usually stay up for most of it

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH STRESS' THAT THE BUSY TATTOO LIFE CAN BRING ON?

I’d have to say the thing that causes my stress is my stress relief, tattooing drawing and painting

DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE? DO YOU MIND SHARING?

I was in prison for a few years when I got out I was homeless and very down and out I ended up meeting my wife and she got pregnant and I started tattooing all in like 6 months without all those things happening I’m not sure I’d be here . I was definitely on a downward spiral up till that point

WHO IS THE MOST UNIQUE CLIENT YOU HAVE EVER MET?

I don’t think one comes to mind I’d have to say if you like my art your a unique person. I have a niche style and it’s not for everyone but most every client I tattoo whether they are silent the whole time or talk the entire time they are all very good and interesting people!

DOES THE CONSTANT PRESSURE AND CHALLENGE OF PROMOTING YOURSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA EXAUST YOU OR IS IT SECOND NATURE?

It’s brutal I hate the social media aspect , after I had been tattooing a few years I wasn’t getting anywhere on Instagram I was t growing and had only a few thousand followers, so I decided for a whole year I’d post everyday no matter what I did that and I went from a few thousand to like 60-70k almost a year and a half later I hit 100k and I thought we’ll I reached 100k I can stop posting it will grow on its own. That didn’t happen my account stopped I started to post again and I started to grow again. I hate social media I really have to force myself but without it I wouldn’t have clients they mostly all find me on Instagram so I have to keep up with it!