Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Smedley.
Hi Phil, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started getting tattoos when i was 18 years old. I got my first one about 3 days after graduating Marine Corps boot camp. Fast forward 25 years and lots of tattoos later. I met my business partner Joshua Kouts while doing roofing and we opened a couple of companies together and while having dinner one night I told him I wanted to open a tattoo shop. On July 24th 2025 we opened for business. We are the first tattoo shop in Polk CIty and we have been making history ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No it has not been a smooth road. We started the company InkFluence Tattoo on 1 Jan. 2025 and we could not get a health department inspection until July 2025. That was after I had to reach out to our state representatives. The process is slow going but well worth it.
We’ve been impressed with InkFluence Tattoo, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are the first and only Tattoo shop in Polk CIty FL. We are known for the friendly knowledgeable staff that we have in the shop. We do great art and make changes in peoples lives. We have done peoples first tattoos, memorial tattoos and some just for fun that people wanted. Tattoos tell a story in peoples lives we love to be a part of that story and to be able to help them tell in through artwork. I am most proud of the artists that we have and the artwork that they do. We offer all types of tattoos and piercings here at the shop. We can do custom artwork, we can take your idea and make it real.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Even with my love of tattoos, I personally only started tattooing others when we opened the shop, and I used to race cars.
Pricing:
- $60 get what you get
- Piercings are dependent on what it is.
- Tattoo are based on several factors. It’s best to come in and talk to us so we can get a better idea of your wants.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Inkfluencetattoo.com
- Instagram: Ink_Fluence2025
- Facebook: InkFluenceTattoo
- Other: @ink_fluence4
Image Credits
Phil Smedley (left) Joshua Kouts (Right)
