How Chris Martin Built iTATU Into a Multi-Million Dollar Brand with Robots, Branding & Purpose

Creative Entrepreneur: A Podcast For Business Growth, Strategy and Monetization

Julie Lokun

Entrepreneurship, Business News, News, Careers, Business

0.0 • 0 Ratings

🗓️ 29 September 2025

⏱️ 23 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, hosts Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky sit down with visionary entrepreneur Chris Martin, founder of iTATU (https://www.itatu.life/).Chris shares how he transformed a simple summer hustle on the boardwalk into a fast-scaling national brand powered by temporary tattoos, automation, and innovative brand activations.From humble beginnings airbrushing tattoos on Myrtle Beach to developing robotic tattoo kiosks for stadiums and amusement parks nationwide, Chris reveals the creative strategies, bold risks, and unstoppable vision that built iTATU into a movement.Key Topics CoveredFrom Boardwalk to Breakthrough: How Chris turned airbrush tattoos-for-tips into a booming business empire.Scaling Smarter: The systems that helped iTATU grow from a one-man show to multi-location operations with a full team.Tattoo Robots & Automation: How Chris invented a tattoo robot and created automated kiosks to deliver tattoos in seconds at stadiums and events.Tapvertising & Brand Activation: Why custom scannable tattoos are becoming the future of fan engagement and event marketing.Colors That Care: How every tattoo purchased helps fund food banks and community programs across the country.Overcoming Doubters: The lessons Chris learned about resilience, pitching to investors, and staying true to his vision.Must-Hear MomentsJulie and Dominick debate the idea of corporate event tattoos.A behind-the-scenes look at iTATU’s robotic tattoo machines in action.Chris’s perspective on why not going to college can be a superpower for entrepreneurs.The vision of iTATU rolling out at the Chicago Bears’ Arlington Heights stadium.Resources & LinksVisit iTATU Official Website: https://www.itatu.life/Chris Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/ (add direct link if available)Learn about the Colors That Care Campaign: https://www.itatu.life/colors-that-care🎙️ Unlock Your Creative Potential with The Creative Entrepreneur PodcastJOIN US LIVE FOR THE ICONIC BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN FEBRUARY: www.cre8tivecon.com Are you a visionary, dreamer, or changemaker ready to ignite your brand, scale your business, and turn passion into profit?🔥 Subscribe now to The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast — the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs, business coaches, startup founders, and innovative thought leaders who are ready to break barriers and dominate their industries.🌟 Hosted by Julie Lokun, founder of Cre8tive Con, this top-rated show delivers expert interviews, marketing strategies, branding tips, and real stories that inspire bold action and next-level success.✅ Don't miss your chance to:Learn from top entrepreneurs and influencersGet actionable advice to grow your audience and impactStay ahead with the latest podcasting, PR, and personal branding trends🎧 New episodes every week! 📲 Hit Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 🚀 Visit www.cre8tivecon.com to level up your creative journey today!

Transcript

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0:00.0	We are creative entrepreneurs, and we also know how difficult it can be to navigate the journey of entrepreneurship.
0:07.9	Today, you are going to unite with other creatives.
0:10.6	Let's step out of this isolating experience as business owners, as authors, as podcasters, or speakers,
0:17.2	and let's start learning actionable tools you need to build an explosive brand. Let's start
0:22.6	creating. Now on with the show. Dom, I've been thinking, and you have to tell me the truth,
0:29.4	I've been thinking about getting a tattoo. I'm not quite sure what I want to get. I really want
0:34.1	to get a tattoo. I've been thinking the infinity sign, our logo for CreativeCon.
0:38.4	I think it represents our logo, our brand.
0:43.2	Wouldn't it be so cool to have our tattoo everywhere at our event in February?
0:48.8	Question is, are people going to get, are they going to get a tattoo that lasts forever, like with our logo on it?
0:55.4	Or is it a temporary tattoo? Because I know a guy.
0:58.9	I'm scared of getting a tattoo. I'm scared of the pain. I think the branding of having a tattoo at a
1:06.6	corporate event would be amazing. I just thought of this right now. I think it would be so amazing.
1:11.2	Everybody gets tattoos. So let's talk to a guy that knows a little about temporary tattoos,
1:16.6	tattoos that don't last for your whole lifetime, our friend Chris Martin. Chris started,
1:23.8	Chris started wandering down the boardwalk years ago, started a business where people get
1:31.1	temporary tattoos on the boardwalk, and now all of a sudden he has a machine that is going to be
1:37.5	in ballparks and stadiums and amusement parks. I guess we better figure out where he started,
1:42.4	right, Julie? Well, I think he probably, and I'm going to speak for him really quickly, but he saw gap in the market. I guess we better figure out where he started, right, Julie? Well, I think he probably,
1:45.0	and I'm going to speak for him really quickly, but he thought gap in the market, I'm guessing.
1:49.1	So tell us a little bit about your journey, Chris Martin, and how you started I tattoo,
1:52.8	which is incredible because every corporate event, every sports event needs an eye tattoo at their
	...

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