Tattoo Shop Tango: Why Jordi Pla Gave Up an Aerospace Scholarship to Become a Tattoo Artist

Jordi Pla was studying aerospace engineering at the University of Central Florida on a scholarship. He wanted to be a pilot. Then, about a year before graduating, he switched his major to art. “If I got into tattooing for the money,” he says, “I would’ve stayed in engineering.” Today, Jordi is a 150-time award winner, an Ink Master alum, the owner of Black Flamingo Collective in Bethesda, Maryland, and one of Ink Different’s Master Mentors. In this episode of Tattoo Shop Tango, he sat down with us and co-host Chico Cortez to share why he made the switch.

Who Is Jordi Pla and Why Does His Story Matter?

Jordi Pla was born in Venezuela and came to the U.S. at four months old. Art was always his thing as a kid. But in high school, while he was still in the middle of getting his residency, he got in trouble for graffiti. After that, he pushed art away completely and decided to study engineering instead.

He earned his associate’s degree, then went to UCF in Orlando to study aerospace engineering on a scholarship. Jordi liked math and science, but art kept pulling at him.

His story matters because he didn’t wait until he had everything figured out. He was a year from finishing a degree in a respected field when he changed course.

Why Would Anyone Trade an Aerospace Scholarship for a Tattoo Machine?

For Jordi, it was never about money. “If I got into tattooing for the money,” he says, “I would’ve stayed in engineering.” He did it because he loves art and has a drive to keep getting better.

Tattooing found its way to him in Orlando. Jordi was living with his cousins, and one cousin was dating a Tattoo Artist named Fergo. Fergo gave him a nudge and sold him a tattoo machine. Jordi started tattooing himself as a hobby, maybe once every two months.

When he moved back to Miami, he felt art had fallen back into his lap. So he switched his major to art.

If you’re feeling a similar pull, read why a tattoo apprenticeship is perfect for career changers.

What Does It Take to Make a Leap Like That?

Jordi says it takes full commitment. He switched majors in his junior year, about a year from graduating. Jordi told himself that if he was going to make the change, he couldn’t half-do it.

It also takes clear goals. Jordi told a fraternity brother, who happened to work at Chico Cortez’s tattoo shop in Miami, that he wanted to work in a tattoo shop within two years and do his first convention within five.

A week later, Chico sent him a DM asking if he’d ever worked in a tattoo shop. Jordi said no, but he was very interested. Three months after joining Chico’s tattoo shop, he did his first convention, and the first tattoo Chico had him do there won him his first award.

It takes hard work, too. Jordi believes talent can be learned if you put in the effort. “Hard work beats talent,” as Chico puts it.

Pro Tip: Jordi’s goals were specific and time-bound. Telling someone about them helped open the door.

Why Is Tattooing an AI-Proof Career?

Tattooing depends on human hands, judgment, and the trust between a Tattoo Artist and a client.

Jordi’s own path shows how personal the craft is. He learned by watching Tattoo Artists up close at conventions, studying their hand movements, needles, and prep work. He built relationships with sponsors in person. Skills like these come from people, not software.

Read more on why Tattoo Artists are still essential.

How Can You Follow a Path Like Jordi’s?

Step 1: Notice what keeps pulling you back

For Jordi, it was art, even after he tried to push it away.

Step 2: Commit fully

Once he switched paths, he told himself he couldn’t half-do it.

Step 3: Set specific goals

His were two years to work in a tattoo shop and five years to do a convention.

Step 4: Get real training

Jordi learned in a working tattoo shop under Chico. A structured tattoo apprenticeship, like Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship, gives you that foundation. See the tools every beginner Tattoo Artist should know.

Step 5: Put in the hours and build your name

Jordi says it takes about 10,000 hours to master tattooing. He also tells his apprentices to start an Instagram early to document their progress. Explore these platforms to help Tattoo Artists build their brand.

What Does Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship Offer?

Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship built for beginners. Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years. No prior art experience is required.

• Phase One: Art and design, online.
• Phase Two: Machine practice on synthetic skin, online.
• Phase Three: Supervised tattoos on real clients in a tattoo studio.
• Phase Four: Building independence and preparing for licensing.
• Licensing support: Guidance through your state’s requirements, like how to get your tattoo license in Texas.

Safety is part of the training, including the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.

This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide.

Where Can You Train in Spanish?

Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, New York City, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego. Its “Good Humans” culture means you join a supportive community from day one.

Ready to Write Your Own Story?

Jordi Pla walked away from an aerospace scholarship because art kept calling him back. With full commitment, clear goals, and years of hard work, he built a career he loves.

Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.

For aspiring Tattoo Artists: Apply now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.  

For Tattoo Artists and shop owners who want to mentor: Learn how to become an Ink Different Mentor at inkdifferenttattoos.com/affiliate.

And for aspiring shop owners: Explore Ink Different’s shop owner training to build the systems, team, and culture your tattoo shop needs.

Follow Jordi on Instagram at @jordi_bfc and Chico at @m4l_chico.