Meet Mike Philp | Founder & Director of CoCreate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Philp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Throughout my tattooing journey, I’ve had the privilege of working in various studios, each offering a different level of experience. These experiences gave me invaluable insights into what works and what doesn’t in the tattoo industry. However, it was the realisation of my true “WHY” that led me to unlock the profound connection between tattooing and psychology. Understanding a person’s personality, interests, and memories and transforming them into art on their skin creates an unparalleled expression of art that they carry with them for life. This understanding became the foundation for CoCreate, a unique tattoo studio that cherishes the collaborative effort between artists and clients, resulting in a personalised and uplifting experience of a lifetime.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My drive and passion connected with a unique style is what sets my art apart from the other. I am currently working on a few projects integrating AR and AI technology. One of my current projects is developing an App that seamlessly connects clients and tattoo artists, addressing the industries challenges. This App will help clients worldwide to develop their creative ideas. A project that I am really excited about, is I am soon to be entering the art world and about to sign a contract with a well-know London gallery, I can’t wait to share this with you all soon.

Consistency is what got me to where I am today and always turning up, evening when you don’t feel like it. I am a believer in always giving to others, even when you don’t feel like this is reciprocated. I am consistent with the service I provide to our clients, I always ensure that their experience is one to remember and that they are listened to. It has been far from easy to get to where I am today, I have had to continually fail. You also have to sacrifice a lot, I knew to become better I would have to move away from my home town away from friends and family. This also meant sacrificing my social life so I could better myself. A lot of people underestimate the power of dedicating yourself to one year of your life to solid work, within this time you are able to create habits that can become a part of your life 10 years after.

If there is one thing the world should know about Cocreate, is the intricate connection between the psychology, the client and art. This unique understanding allows us to adapt these insights into various avenues, brands, and products.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend and his girlfriend was to come over for a weekend we would:

After finishing work on Saturday at 6pm I would take my best friend, his girlfriend and my partner to a beautiful lake that is on the way home from work. This is in a small village called Gosfield which is about 10 minutes from home. We would all watch the sunset together, enjoy some good food and a fresh cold beer. This is a spot that me and my partner found and experienced together for the first time. It holds fond memories that I would share with my best friends.

Sunday I would take my best friend, his girlfriend and my partner to the Henny Swan public house, in a small village called Sudbury. It’s a great place for good vibes and they offer the best roast dinner with good vegetarian options, as my partner is vegan. After a Sunday roast we would go kayaking or rowing along the canal which is located directly opposite the pub.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
June Philp, my mother – She has been a fundamental part of my success by always believing in me and I will always remember the day I wanted to leave my university course as I wasn’t happy, I rang my mum and she said, if you don’t love it, come home. This has been her ethics throughout my life.

Maxime Plescia Buchi, Founder & Director of Sang Bleu – I’ve always admired the diversity in Maxime’s art & design and what he manages to achieve within his own art and the collaborative ventures that he creates with other brands. Maxime has provided great advice throughout my career about work and life, which has been an inspiration.

Gary Das, Founder & Director of Active Mortgages – Gary was the first person to invite me to a business events, I owe him a huge thank you. Gary has been a good friend and supporter for the past eight years. He helped me to begin my journey in the business world, being a tattooist you don’t initially know the skills required to owning a business, so these events helped me to learn the skills needed to help grow my business.

I wouldn’t be able to do what I do daily without the CoCreate team and my beautiful partner Bekah Clarey.

Website: https://www.cocreateart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocreatetattoo/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cocreateart/?locale=en_GB