Interview with Rapper/Tattooer/Entrepreneur Hi-Tone Valenz
Hi-Tone Valenz (@hi_tone) is a serial entrepreneur based out of the LA area who has inspired me since about seven to eight years or so ago. He for sure gave me some of my initial motivation to build a tattoo collection of my own since I was young and first introduced to tattoo collecting.
His resume includes being a legitimate and certified rapper, a talented realism tattooer, and the owner of multiple companies including his clothing line Top of the Food Chain (@tfc_tmbh) as well as as a liquor company The Gold Michi Come over (@thegoldmichico).
I got the chance to speak with Tone about a variety of topics including the value of taking L’s at times, how he got started with the world famous Inkslingers family, the importance of having woman by your side, and more.
I hope you guys enjoy the read, thanks for looking.
I just want to start this off by saying that way before I collected any solid tattoos, you were one of my main inspirations for building a collection. What was the mindset you went in with when starting to build your own bodysuit? What is your current mindset as far as collecting?
Being a serial entrepreneur like yourself I know you’ve counted many wins, but inevitably must have also taken a couple L’s along the way. What are a few of the toughest but most valuable and notable lessons you’ve learned since being in the tattoo/rap/clothing game?
Most people consider L’s as losses, I consider them L’s as lessons. Nothing we do or try that doesn’t work is a failure cause if you didn’t try them, you wouldn’t know if that particular venture was for you or not. It’s simple math: the more times you try, the better the probability is that you’ll catch a W (win). But if I had to pinpoint some notable lessons or knowledge I’ve gained along the way, I’d say… mastering patience, not believing everything you hear, stepping back from the chaos to realign and remember why you started this journey in the first place. This is a quote I live by: “The only time you fail is when you quit on yourself”.
Can you talk a little about how you came up in the game, maybe a little about the legendary Inkslingers culture that I believe you got started with?
Can you tell me a little about your daily morning routine before you start the grind? How are you mentally preparing for long sessions? I know cats like you move different so I’m just curious what that looks like for you lately.
I know you got your queen by your side bro, can you talk a little about what she has done for you on your journey and in what ways that she’s helped get you to the place you’re at today?
Every man needs a good woman in his life. Even if it’s just a friend. A good woman adds value to a man’s life no matter what capacity she serves. I’ve been surrounded by good women my entire life. Being the only son with a younger sister from a single parent mom, I spent my whole life around women. Then came along my fiance (Stef Lova) “another good woman”. They all play an important role because they teach you balance, patience and love. In particular they just have a different type of emotional support you can’t get from anyone else in my opinion, and let me tell you… When you’re chasing your dreams, opening businesses, feeling like a failure, stressed out, depressed and down, they know exactly what you need.
Three crazy shifts you’ve seen in the industry since you first came into it (which was when by the way)? Any big shifts you predict to see over the next few years?
Wildest/most bizarre experience with a client thus far? Craziest email you ever got?
I’ve had some really bizarre experiences with clients but it’s code not to talk about them. LOL. As far as the craziest email, we played a prank on my assistant. Hahaha One of the homies came to hangout while I was tattooing and we decided to send a prank email to my assistant regarding someone inquiring about a penis sleeve. We sent him a detailed email with photos of what “this fake client” wanted. A few minutes later my assistant walked in and started telling me about this email that just came in. I went along with it and told him to reply. We went back and forth on email for an hour. My assistant still didn’t know it was us playing a joke on him. lol
What’s going through your brain when you tattoo? How many more years you got left in the tank? I know that sh*ts hard on your guys backs and wrists!
Nothing but the tattoo is going through your mind during a tattoo. It’s impossible to think about anything but the tattoo unless you want to perform a bad tattoo. That’s why I still tattoo, cause it takes me away from the stress of my other businesses and allows me to disconnect and get creative. It;s definitely mentally tiring but it’s so satisfying and the end. I feel like I have many more years in the tank simply because I’m very big on self health and self care.
RIP Kobe 💔💜💛 Can you talk a little about what you learned from this man during his powerful time on this planet? Who’s taking the chip this year?
2021 mindset/mantra?
My mindset is the same every year. I try to make each new year better than last year. I focus on baby steps. One foot in front of the other because as long as you’re climbing the mountain consistently, you’ll eventually get to the top. I believe hard work pays off and that’s been my motto for a decade now. My entire brand is based on that saying.
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Thanks to anyone who took the time to check out this article, be sure to follow Tone on IG @hi_tone.
Much love!! – JF