Meet the Ink Different National Advisory Board
Kara Gutierrez
Aereola and Paramedical Tattooing
Kara Gutierrez is the founder of Spot On Health & Beauty, a practice intentionally designed to bridge modern medicine, aesthetics, and advanced tattoo art.
Built alongside her husband, Arian Culp, MD, DABFM, DABOM, the practice blends clinical medical expertise with refined artistic precision.
She specializes in Areola Restoration, Permanent Makeup (PMU), Cosmetic Tattooing, Scar-Aware Technique, and Pigment Lightening & Removal. Every treatment at Spot On is grounded in education, safety, and shared decision-making; values that extend directly into Kara’s mentorship and training philosophy.
A fully licensed and insured Tattoo Artist with years of experience in both body tattooing and cosmetic tattooing, Kara is known for her thoughtful, client-centered approach.
Liz Cook
Color Realism and Continuing Education
Liz Cook is internationally renowned for her breathtaking color realism and hyper-saturated portrait work. Originally from South Louisiana and raised in Dallas, Texas, Liz earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Painting and Drawing from the University of North Texas before transitioning her passion for fine art into tattooing.
She is a Tattoo Master Mentor at Ink Different, co-owner of Rebel Muse Tattoo, and creator of the Liz Cook Signature Series pigment set. Her work has been showcased at major conventions and featured in leading industry publications worldwide.
Liz also gained national recognition on TLC’s Tattoo Girls, where she demonstrated her artistic leadership while navigating the dynamics of an all-female tattoo studio. Her technical excellence, creative vision, and mentorship have solidified her reputation as a powerhouse in the tattoo industry.
Chico Cortez
Conventions and Industry Relations
Chico Cortez is the owner of various tattoo studios in Florida and Georgia. He has more than a decade in the industry and has mentored countless Tattoo Artists who are now successful in the tattoo industry.
Several Tattoo Artists who’ve made their mark on national television have sharpened their skills, found their voice, or received game-changing guidance under Chico’s wing.
As the leader of Marked 4 Life, Chico fosters a collaborative and supportive studio culture, one that encourages both artistic growth and professional development. His leadership style emphasizes craftsmanship, community, and mentorship, making his studio a nurturing environment for both clients and aspiring Tattoo Artists.
BillyJack Gunter
Southwest Region
BillyJack Gunter is a successful Tattoo Artist with 30 years in the industry, has won many awards, and he has mentored many successful Tattoo Artists. A seasoned mentor known for his no-nonsense approach. BillyJack emphasizes technical precision, discipline, and professionalism in every aspect of training.
His hands-on mentorship style is tailored to each apprentice, ensuring they develop both confidence and competence. Blending real-world insight with structured skill-building, BillyJack sets a high bar for what it truly means to be a professional Tattoo Artist.
His philosophy is simple: respect the craft, master the fundamentals, and earn your place in the industry.
Joe Breeze
Northeast Region
With over 20 years of experience, Joe Breeze embodies resilience, grit, and artistic dedication. He’s the owner of F.I.N.A.O. Ink Tattoo Company, based in North Providence. He began tattooing shortly after high school in 2001, apprenticing locally and immersing himself in the craft with relentless determination.
Beyond tattooing, Joe is also a clothing and graphic designer, expanding his creative expression into multiple artistic mediums. Joe founded F.I.N.A.O. Ink to team up with like-minded artists and provide the personalized, friendly service his community deserves.
Joe lives by his mantra: “Failure Is Not An Option” (F.I.N.A.O.). More than just an acronym, it’s the mindset that has shaped his career and continues to inspire the artists he mentors.
Osmay Gonzalez
Entrepreneur
Osmay Gonzalez is an award-winning designer and visionary entrepreneur with a passion for transforming ideas into impactful businesses and products.
He is deeply committed to empowering his teams, fostering creativity, and encouraging collaboration to deliver the highest quality products and services possible.
Alongside his brother, he has successfully launched multiple ventures, each built on strong values, dedication, and a shared entrepreneurial spirit.
Beyond his achievements, Osmay believes strongly in giving back. He actively supports his community through donations to his local church and contributions to disaster recovery efforts,
Meet Our Founder
Paul-Anthony Surdi
Ink Different’s journey began with Paul-Anthony Surdi, an entrepreneur, creative, and host of the Ink Different Tattoo Podcast. Over a decade ago, he challenged traditional industry norms by creating a new pathway into tattooing, one rooted in accessibility, structure, and opportunity. That vision became Ink Different Tattoos.
With a background in the music and film industries, Paul-Anthony has always been driven by a deep passion for the arts and the belief that creative careers should be attainable. His work has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Billboard, and The Huffington Post, recognizing both his entrepreneurial impact and cultural influence.
Through economic downturns, industry skepticism, and even a global pandemic,Â
Paul-Anthony believes that while technology evolves, tattooing will always require a human touch. After all, who would trust a robot to tattoo their ribs for eight hours?
Become a Tattoo Artist in USA
Join the $2.2B Tattoo Economy – Your Journey to Artistic Success Starts Here!
The tattoo industry is booming, with a global market value of $2.2 billion and growing. It offers endless opportunities for aspiring artists to turn their passion into a lucrative career. From creative expression to financial independence, the industry is thriving like never before.
$51511
Average First-year Income of a Tattoo Artist in USA
21000+
Tattoo Studios in USA and Growing !
$106868
According to Zip Recruiter, Average Annual Income of a Tattoo Artist in USA
