Nisha Supahan is the owner of Tattoo 34. Read our interview with Nisha about her experience with Xcelerate Business Advising and Peer Mentor Groups. 

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What inspired you to start your own business? 

We go back to my homelands every summer to prepare for and participate in my tribal ceremony. My husband Toby and I required jobs that allowed for this type of flexibility. Toby and I have always been entrepreneurs before I even knew what the term meant. He  and I (separately) both started businesses when we were teenagers and continued in that spirit as adults. In 2016 an opportunity presented itself and it was the right time for us to be in business together. We have built our tattoo shop to reflect both of us. It now runs on its own while we are out of cell/internet service for long periods in the summer. We truly enjoy working together in and on our business and having the freedom and flexibility we have created.

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What were some of your key goals that you worked with Xcelerate on this year? 

Goals, accountability, systems! But honestly connecting and growing with other small business owners exactly where we are at, is the best thing we can do.

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How has your identity as a woman and any and all other intersectional identities impacted your business?

I don't really know how it is to not be a woman or not be Native, so I am finding this question difficult :) Who I am impacts my business every day.

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What were some of the challenges you faced this year and how did working with Xcelerate help you to overcome these challenges?

It has been a very challenging year financially and we might not have overcome it, but in my Peer Mentor Group, I felt heard and validated and that goes a long way.

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Are there any wins or achievements you have celebrated this year while working with Xcelerate? For example - hiring new employees, paying yourself, quitting a day job, achieving profitability, opening a new location, increase in sales, launching a new product. Please be as specific as possible.

Getting a big grant from the Northwest Native Chamber with the help of an Xcelerate grant writing coach and being able to talk about it, worry about it, and then celebrate it in my Xcelerate business group.

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How do you personally define success for you and your business?

Success looks different depending, but right now success is enjoying the work I do, having a flexible schedule to pick my children up from school, and being able to share this business and life experience with my husband.

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Is there anything else you'd like to share about your Xcelerate experience?

I really really appreciate Xcelerate, it feels like a comfy home to talk about real things with people who get you.

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Find them: @tattoo34pdx