Meet William Spinner | Tattoo Artist/Shop Owner

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

Hi William, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Growing up in Los Angeles, I’ve always wanted to be a boss. In this city, you’re either someone who owns something or someone who doesn’t—and I’ve been on the side that didn’t. I’ve been broke, hungry, depressed, and that kid wearing the same pants five days in a row. I’ve worked jobs as an employee, but I always knew deep down that my life was meant for more.

When I found tattooing, I immediately realized I didn’t just want to be a tattoo artist—I wanted to be an owner. I wanted my own shop that reflected my values, my love for art, and the culture I come from. That vision became Spinner Ink Tattoos.

It wasn’t until year four or five of my career that I truly saw how fast my skills were developing and how much I knew compared to others in the industry. When strangers began reaching out for advice, tips, and guidance, I knew I had something to offer beyond just my art. That’s when I said to myself, “I think I can really do this.”

Once I understood the importance of learning the business side of tattooing, I dove in headfirst. I’ve always believed in work ethic—I’m the artist who comes first and leaves last, sometimes tattooing until 2 or 3 a.m. I didn’t realize it then, but people were watching. They saw my consistency and willingness to teach, and when it came time to open my shop, I already had a team ready to ride with me. They respected the grind.

With a strong team and me leading with love, discipline, and hustle—failure isn’t an option. So I made it happen.

At the end of the day, my thought process was simple: I work too hard and learn too much not to own a tattoo shop—especially when I’ve seen shop owners with less skill and knowledge than me running the show.

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.
As a Black man in the tattoo industry, one of the things I’m most proud of is carving out my own space in a world that doesn’t always make room for people like me. This path hasn’t been easy. I got here through relentless hard work, dedication, and a drive to outdo the version of myself from the day before.

The road was full of challenges—from not knowing where to start, how to deal with clients, to facing gatekeeping and ceilings set by shop owners who couldn’t see the value in my work. But I broke through. I kept showing up. I kept pushing forward.

Along the way, I learned some lessons that still guide me:

Never give up. If you don’t know something today, make sure you learn it by tomorrow.

Not everyone will like what you do—and that’s okay. What matters is the people who do. Those are your tribe.

Empty the cup. You don’t know everything. If you walk into this game thinking you’ve got it all figured out, you’re hustling backwards. Stay open. Stay learning.

What I Want You To Know

I don’t play around with this craft. When you come to Big Will or Spinner Ink Tattoos, you’re going to get more than just a tattoo. You’re going to get a piece of art that’s built for you—designed with intention, created for your skin tone, tailored to the natural flow of your body, and infused with the meaning behind your message.

Every tattoo I do is a collaboration between your story and my passion—and that’s what makes it unforgettable.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I’m being real, I’m a bit of a hermit. I work constantly—sunup to sundown—so when I do get free time, it’s rare and sacred. That time goes straight to my family and my kid. But let’s say I actually get a whole week off and want to show my guy around the city. Here’s what that week would look like:

Day 1 – Food Tour.
First things first—we’re eating. This is LA. This is Cali. I love to eat. Whether it’s a five-star restaurant or a good ol’ medium-budget buffet, I’m with it. I appreciate both ends of the food game, so we’d hit a mix of high-end spots and hidden gems.

Day 2 – My World.
I’d take him to Spinner Ink Tattoos. Show him the empire I’m building, introduce him to my team, and maybe even talk a little business—some cross-class, cross-promo collab ideas. I’m always thinking creative synergy.

Day 3 – Chill Cinema Vibes.
We’d hit a dine-in movie theater. I’m big on catching a film when no one else is in the theater. It’s a whole vibe. Just good food, a good flick, and some peace.

Day 4 – Beach & Bars.
We’d take it to Venice Beach or Santa Monica. Hit the boardwalk, chop it up with some people, maybe grab a couple of drinks. I don’t really drink like that, but hey, I might entertain it for the night.

Day 5 – Night Life.
Friday is for the streets. We’d go out—either Hollywood or downtown LA. Probably hit a solid strip club, catch a vibe, and grab a good meal afterward.

Day 6 – Outside Again.
It’s Saturday—we’re doing it all over again. This time with a purpose: fun, connection, and unforgettable moments.

Day 7 – Reset Sunday.
Sunday’s for the soul. I’d have him over to the house, fire up the grill, and kick it with me and the fam. Outside of tattooing, I’m a self-proclaimed pit master. Like, for real. I do my thing on that grill. No cap.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a big shout-out to every mentor, every boss I’ve worked under, and every coworker I’ve ever had—you’ve all taught me something valuable, and I carry those lessons with me every day. Shout-out to my clients for trusting me with their skin, to my mentor Gil who gave me my start with an apprenticeship, my mentor Pnut who helped further my technical knowledge of the craft and to every single person who’s ever liked a photo, dropped a comment, or showed love on social media—you matter more than you know.

Major shout-out to my team: @Vickii.tatts @rhae_ology @Nina_lovecrow, and my apprentices—you all help bring this vision to life. And most importantly, shout-out to the city of Los Angeles. Thank you for rocking with me. This is only the beginning.

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