Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Bourns
Hi Shelly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Shelly Bourns. I was born in Houston and raised in Sugarland Texas. I became a mother at the age of 21 in 2002. I was always very independent after my daughters father passed shortly before my due date. At an early age I started a career of building custom fishing rods for many years. I chose this path because I was taking care of my father in my later 20s early 30s. I did a lot of shark fishing. I was known at the time as the only female rod builder. I was interviewed by 3 magazines including Gulf coast Mariner out of Galveston and a couple of others including one out of Florida called Girls Guns and Rods!
I started college in 2005 and graduated in 2009 with my bachelor’s degree in business management. When my dad passed away in 2015. I knew then I needed to do what it took to become even more successful in life. So I followed my heart and started to learn how to tattoo. I am now a reknowned, award winning tattoo artist in Galveston county almost 10 years later. I followed my heart and my skills and earned my way to the top. I specialize in black and grey portraits but I am also very versatile when it comes to different styles of tattooing. Later on I changed my business name from Candy Skull Tattoos and created the new name Tattoos By SJ! Where did the name come from? “SJ” comes from “Shelly and Jeff”, which is my husband and I. However my last name was Jackson and some called me “SJ” as a nickname. So it fit! Back in early 2022 I ran across an email that sparked my interest saying “you made top 5 tattoo artist…” so I clicked on the link and sure enough I was voted to the top 5 category of best tattoo artist for the best of the best Readers Choice section of the The Daily News paper in Galveston. Two months later I was crowned best tattoo artist in all of Galveston county for 2022 2023 and now 2024! Three consecutive years now I have been voted as the best tattoo artist in all Galveston county! My very first tattoo face off I ever did with Republic Harley Davidson I won first place out of 8 people. I was the only girl there!
I am very proud of who I am today. And where I come from! Many stories in between! From here I intend to grow even stronger in my career! And look forward to what it next to come!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I had some struggles along the way. Loosing my daughter’s father before she was born and losing my father on the same exact date 13 years apart took a toll on me. February 5th is my daughter’s birthday and also the burial and death date for our fathers. I won’t ever forget the path in life in which I was taken. But I also will never regret anything as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As mentioned before, I specialize in black and grey portraits and many different styles of tattooing. I am very proud of my self and how far I have come in this industry in just 10 short years. Working with my clients is what sets me apart from everyone else. I make sure to make everyone happy! Infact i become friends with my clients and reach out to them often to check on the tattoos I have done in the past. What people love about me the most is how caring I am in this industry. Which is also was sets me apart from other artist.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
If it wasn’t for my family supporting me, especially my husband Jeff, i love you! Without you I don’t think I would be this far! My mom used to hate tattoos as I was growing up. But now I have her support 100%
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Tattoos_by_SJ
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557096308095&mibextid=LQQJ4d
