Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Parton.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Here’s your story written in first person:
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**My Journey to Golden Falcon Tattoo and Piercing**
My path to opening Golden Falcon wasn’t typical – it was forged through pain, healing, and an unwavering vision to create something meaningful.
Growing up, I experienced childhood trauma that could have broken me. Later, I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. For a while, it felt like these challenges would define my entire life. But instead of letting them defeat me, I chose to transform that pain into purpose. Through my own healing journey, I learned what it truly means to need a safe space – and that understanding would become the heart of everything I built.
In 2018, I saw an opportunity that others might have overlooked. A tattoo studio was closing down, and while some people saw failure, I saw potential. I saw a chance to create something different, something the world desperately needed.
I made the decision to take over that space in Chapel Hill, but I wasn’t just opening another tattoo shop. I had a mission: to create a safe, valued space for both artists and clients. This was about more than ink and piercings – I wanted to build a sanctuary where people could express themselves authentically, where artists could thrive creatively, and where every single person who walked through my door would feel respected and valued. 7 years, one name, and 3 location changes later, here we are.
My personal journey through trauma gave me something unique – I understood what people need when they’re vulnerable. Whether someone was getting their first tattoo, commemorating a lost loved one, or simply seeking artistic expression, I knew how to hold space for them.
Seven years later, Golden Falcon stands as proof that our greatest challenges can become the foundation for our most meaningful contributions. I didn’t just survive my past – I used it to create something beautiful. Today, I’m not just a stable business owner and traveling artist; I’m building toward a future where I’ll marry and start a family, all while continuing to provide this safe haven for my community.
Every day, I’m reminded that sometimes the most broken places in our hearts become the source of our greatest gifts to the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Here’s your challenges blurb rewritten with the correct name history:
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**The Real Struggles Behind Golden Falcon**
Building this studio hasn’t just been about learning the tattoo business – it’s been about navigating an industry that wasn’t designed for someone like someone like me. As a female shop owner in a male-dominated field, I’ve had to prove myself twice as hard while dealing with assumptions about my capabilities and authority. Every supplier meeting, every industry event, every interaction with other shop owners – I’ve had to establish my credibility before I could even talk business.
When I took over “The Crows Nest” in 2018, I immediately rebranded it to “Gypsy Hill” – a name I thought captured the artistic, free-spirited vibe I wanted to create. For three years, I built my reputation under that name. Then I learned the devastating truth – the word “gypsy” isn’t just outdated, it’s a slur against the Romani people. The shame of that realization hit deep. Here I was, trying to create an inclusive safe space while operating under a name that was actively harmful to an entire community. Changing to Golden Falcon meant starting over with brand recognition again, losing some clients, and rebuilding everything from scratch for the second time, but it was the right thing to do.
Then Corona hit in 2020, just as we were finding our footing. A mandatory shutdown when we were still a budding business nearly broke us. Watching other established shops struggle while knowing we had even less cushion to fall back on was terrifying. We survived, but barely, and it taught me resilience I didn’t know I had.
The location changes have been brutal. Rent hikes forced us to move just as we were getting established, right before corona and the name change the first time. Each move meant rebuilding our client base, hoping our community would follow us, and dealing with the financial strain of relocating specialized equipment. But worse than the logistics was watching how each location change affected our studio identity – we had to rediscover who we were in each new space.
Through it all, I was battling my own internal demons. Running a business while managing borderline personality disorder meant some days I could barely function, let alone lead a team. I had to learn to separate my personal struggles from my professional responsibilities, all while trying to find and keep the right staff.
The artist turnover has been heartbreaking. I’ve watched talented people come and go as we all evolved in different directions. Some couldn’t handle my vision of what this place should be. Others were technically skilled but couldn’t embrace the inclusive, safe-space culture I was building. Each departure felt personal, like a failure on my part.
Every challenge has shaped Golden Falcon into what it is today – a space that truly understands struggle, growth, and the importance of getting things right, even when it’s hard.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Golden Falcon Tattoo & Piercing, I’m honored to share the creative space with an incredible team of artists—each bringing their own unique flair and passion to the studio.
I lead the way with my own dedication to bold, imaginative work that truly reflects each client’s individuality. My specialties include, Japanese, New School, and realism.
We also have our newest artist, Evan Syx, known for his striking Neo‑Traditional and New School designs, along with deeply expressive black‑and‑gray realism that brings every piece to life with dramatic contrast and precision.  
Then there’s Jonas Britt—a true creative soul who brings a fusion of traditional, Japanese, and experimental styles into the studio. His art feels fluid, vibrant, and futuristic, infusing every design with dynamic energy. 
On the piercing side, Ariel brings not just style, but precision, care, and confidence to every piercing she does. With years of experience under her belt, she specializes in everything from ear styling and freehand technique to intricate facial and body piercings—all executed in a clean, welcoming, and empowering environment. 
Together, our collective mission is simple: to provide an inclusive, professional, and creatively inspired experience for every person who walks through our doors. Whether you’re looking for a bold New School flash, a nuanced black-and-gray portrait, a whimsical watercolor/biomech hybrid, or a perfectly placed piercing with care—you’ll find your expression here.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success in the smiles of my clients every day, in seeing the artists around me thriving, and in knowing that everyone who works with me shares in the profit. My goal isn’t to get rich—I just want to live comfortably doing what I love, surrounded by people who are also happy and fulfilled in their own lives.
Pricing:
- Tattoos are priced different for different artists
- Piercing prices depend on jewelry
- Tattooes are priced by piece or hourly
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldenfalcontattoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Goldenfalcontattoo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenfalcontattoo
