INKING DEALS: Emily Mathews

EMILY MATHEWS WITH WE SELL OKLAHOMA REAL ESTATE TEAM - LRE REALTY

PHOTOS BY NESTED TOURS

How Many Tattoos Do You Have?

LOL how do I quantify “half my body?"

Tell Us About Your First Tattoo!* How old were you and what was it? Do you still love it or regret it? 

My first tattoo was a four-leaf clover. I was 18 years old on a trip to Austin, TX. It was a spontaneous decision that led me to many more future tattoos. 

Tell Us About One of Your Favorite Tattoos. Think of one of your tattoos that has a special meaning to you, or maybe has a special story behind it. 

I’ve got many stories, but one of my most meaningful tattoos is one that I got in a friend’s living room. It was about a week after my first husband passed away, and our friend group all got the same tattoo to commemorate his life. It’s the only tattoo that looks like a scratcher prison tat, HAHA. But it’s the most meaningful.

Do You Have Any Funny Stories on How/Why You Got Any of Your Tattoos?

I was on a 5-week backpacking trip through Europe. While in Greece, my friend and I wanted to get a tattoo of a Greek passport stamp, until we realized that Greece is part of the EU and doesn’t have its own passport stamp. So, we designed our own fake Greek passport stamp and got matching tattoos!

Describe the Feeling of Getting a New Tattoo. 

It hurts. Anyone who says differently is listing and trying to make themselves sound “cool.”

What's a Myth You Want to BUST About Tattoos and Business?

My tattoos don’t affect my ability to do my job well, but they absolutely can and do affect the way people perceive my professionalism. The permanent designs you put on your body may not be an accurate representation of who you are later in life. A corny tattoo that makes you laugh at 25 years old isn’t quite as funny at 45 years old. I make an effort to dress exceptionally professionally so my clients aren't distracted by my tattoos.

How Many Total Hours Has an Artist Spent on Your Tattoos Combined?

More than I can even count.

What is One Piece of Advice that Has Served You Well in This Industry?

Take your ego out of the situation and focus on getting to the closing table.