Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Rebecca
Riley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m Riley. I’m a 29-year-old female business Owner, Author, Model, and pug mom. I own Take Solace Studios and Molly’s Hatchet. I work full time as a Professional Piercer and Metalsmith. I’m in the midst of having my first book published, called “Finding Solace” and I spend my days out of the shop acting as a cinematic Model. I was an actress for many years but my love of tattoos was so consuming that I transitioned out of the traditional entertainment world and carved my way into the alternative one. The transition from screen to print wasn’t hard when I started modeling, although the road to becoming a Piercer was a different story. I always had a passion for body piercing but my girly demeanor didn’t fit into the typical edgy style that’s associated with the tattooed community. It’s been a constant test of my passion, tenacity, and mental endurance and I’m so grateful. I love being a Piercer for countless reasons, but there came the point where I couldn’t find an environment I was comfortable in. I had so many complaints about the way typical tattoo shops were run. I was going to either need to relocate or change careers. I knew I wanted something different. I wanted more. Something had to change. And so, a dream was born, and it was called Take Solace Studios. Take Solace Studios focuses on the softer side of body modification.
Offering free coverups of hate tattoos and free henna brows for cancer patients. Showcasing high end jewelry, cosmetic tattooing, and custom tattoos in a renovated medical facility. Featuring a body art museum filled with tattoo artifacts and history teachings and an art gallery filled with art made by local artists! I am the Piercer at the studio and I also make custom titanium jewelry. As a Piercer, I focus on custom curations and I also do a lot of “repaircings,” But it could never have happened by myself. It took the whole community. It took the support from my partner, the unwavering support from my clients, the help of friends, family, and wonderful staff. It took a lot of mistakes and a lot of failing forward and a lot of playing by other people’s rules before I could learn how to rewrite the rules. I actually wrote a book about my journey, the wild experiences, and how it’s shaped me as a person. Recently, I also partnered with Molly’s Hatchet, an indoor axe throwing bar! Perfect for letting out your stress while getting your exercise in! Great for competitive leagues or just a night out with the squad, it is an experience you’ll never forget. Bringing the mountains to Florida while enjoy a craft brew, we offer everything from divorce parties to romantic date nights making smores.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey of opening and owning a business has been the most exciting, stressful. I was trying, fulfilling, an educational experience I’ve ever had. No, it hasn’t been easy, but Franklin D Roosevelt said, “smooth seas never built skilled sailors,” and I’ve kept that mantra close to me. You have to fall in love with the progress as much as the destination. You have to be willing to fail forward, rather than fearing failure. I’ve learned more from the hard times as I have the well oiled ones. I always knew that owning a business would be stressful, but no one really ever warns you what that stress entails specifically. You’re aren’t just caring for your own livelihood. You’re caring for your employees and their families. Now, let’s throw a global pandemic and mandatory closures into that equation and those stressors are officially running at a new high. From how to spot a sleazy contractor to how much I’m personally capable of physically and emotionally, I’ve learned so much. I’m still learning the delicate balance of working as a Piercer and Owner compared to solely a Piercer, but thankfully I’m surrounded by a wonderful staff who has become my family.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Aside from being an entrepreneur and budding Author, I’m also a Cinematic Model, which means my specialty is visual storytelling. I’ve worked underwater and mid-air. I’ve been covered in live snakes and crawled under rotting floorboards. I’ve even been set on fire! I thrive on all things theatrical. I’ve worked on top of Army airplanes, on Naval ships, and inside of antique trains! There isn’t much I won’t do to create art that sends a message. My goal is to create an entire story, ask questions, confront fears, and inspire the intuitive, all through still motion photographs. I believe that art is one of the only things on earth that allows us to both loose ourselves and find ourselves in the same sitting. I’ve never had the talent to draw the things I see, and I’ve never had the patience to learn a musical instrument. Nonetheless, creating art is my outlet.
What were you like growing up?
I was raised in an adorable partridge-family neighborhood in northern Virginia with both parents, three older siblings, a dog and two cats. I had a wonderful childhood. I look back very adoringly on. I went to good schools, played outdoors with the neighborhood kids, was close with my siblings, and I was never overly sheltered. My mother was an artist with a free spirit and my father was a respiratory therapist and humanitarian. I have a lot of both of my parent’s qualities and mannerisms. I’ve always been a girly girl. I’m most commonly described as a “ball of bubbles,” and I literally cross streets to pet dogs. I consider myself a chameleon and a free spirit and I believe my purpose in life is to help bring more light into the world. I live for adventure and good food and my sense of wanderlust borders obsession. As a child I was highly energetic, very talkative, easily excitable, and easily bored. My parents knew I needed a strong outlet, and that’s when I started taking acting classes at a rec center! I found my solace in body modification at a very young age and that comfort only grew over time. My love of extreme body modification was never fueled by a need for attention or repercussions of trauma. If anything, my parent’s warming ability to open my eyes to the beauty of differences in other cultures throughout the world is what I presume initiated my fascination for body art and adornment.
Pricing:
- Axe throwing: $15 for 30 min
- Model Coach: $100/session
Contact Info:
- Email: racourtwright@gmail.com
- Website: https://takesolacestudiosfl.myonlineappointment.com/
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/justcallmeriley_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/throwlocal/
- Other: http://www.instagram.com/piercingsbyriley
Image Credits
Photography credit: Jump photo taken by Jeremiah Ruff Smoke bomb photo taken by Deidra Kling Airplane photo taken by Sean Neumayer
